Dessert: oranges; melons; prunes; tamarinds; figs; apples (raw or baked); pears; plums; peaches; cherries; raisins; stewed fruit; honey; blackberries; strawberries; huckleberries; bananas.
Some may find it advantageous to eat fruit before or between meals.
Beverages: water—pure spring water preferably; if this cannot be had, get, if possible, distilled water that has been aërated; buttermilk; fresh cider; beer; ale.
Mineral waters like Hunyadi, etc., irritate the cause of constipation (proctitis) in a way similar to cathartic remedies.
Drink a tumbler or more of hot or cold water an hour before meals—preferably hot water. If the hot water be distasteful add a little salt. Drink freely of water about the temperature of 60° during the meals, but not for the purpose of emptying the mouth of food.
On retiring at night and rising in the morning sip slowly from a quarter to half pint of water (hot or cold). In the morning be sure to rinse the mouth free of the accumulated mucus before drinking the water.
The use of tea, chocolate, coffee and alcoholic drinks is so abused by those even who consider themselves temperate in their habits, that I recommend these beverages as remedies only in certain conditions of the system.
About four pints of pure water (i.e., free from all salts or other foreign ingredients) should be imbibed in twenty-four hours.
Avoid: sweets; pastry of all kinds; puddings; rice; milk; cheese; new bread; nuts; fried foods; rich gravies; farina and sago puddings; salt meats; salt fish; veal; goose; liver; hard-boiled eggs; pork; tea; tobacco; spirituous liquors; uncooked strawberries and huckleberries. Avoid also tomatoes and peaches when not fresh, as the acid generated by keeping them a few days is very irritating to an already inflamed bowel.
Avoid substances that would inflame the tissues or cause congestion of any organ of the body. If the tongue be coated avoid sugar, starchy foods and fresh milk.