Chronic emaciation—its cause and remedy
It sometimes happens that the body is thrown into a chronic state of emaciation on account of a catarrhal formation over the mucous membrane of the intestines, which closes the "winking valves" that take up nutriment from the alimentary tract. In such cases coarse cereal or wheat bran, the seeds and skins of fruit, especially grapes, together with milk and eggs, form the best foods known. The milk and the eggs may be forced, not only beyond the limitations of hunger, but beyond the normal needs of the body. By thus forcing them for a short period of time (twenty to thirty days) a physical "trial balance" can be reached, and the body brought to its normal weight, which can be maintained for an indefinite period of time, if the bill of fare is again balanced or leveled according to the chemical requirements governed by the three natural laws, namely, age, temperature of environment, and work.
Diet for extreme constipation in emaciated cases
There is another condition of chronic emaciation which, in the beginning, should sometimes be treated in exactly the opposite way. For instance, when the forcing of casein proteids, albumin and nitrogen (the principal nutrient elements in milk and eggs) produces complications, such as extreme constipation, it becomes necessary to put the patient on a diet composed of coarse cellulose articles and fruit for a period of from three to six days. This should be done in the following manner:
Immediately on rising drink two or three cups of water—lime-free.
BREAKFAST
(One hour later)
The strained juice of two or three sweet oranges, or a bunch of grapes; grapes preferred
A cup of wheat bran, cooked; serve hot, with thin cream
LUNCHEON
Plain wheat and an equal quantity of coarse wheat bran, cooked until very soft; preferably simmered over night
A salad of celery, lettuce and tomatoes, with nuts
DINNER
About four tablespoonfuls of boiled wheat; also one of bran
A baked potato
One fresh vegetable
Drink copiously of water at all meals.
Just before retiring, eat half a pound of grapes, when in season.
After the first or second day this bill of fare may be increased in quantity, and heavier fruits added, such as pears, prunes, and very ripe bananas. After the fourth or fifth day, a salad and a few of the lighter vegetables, such as onions, romaine or cabbage, celery, carrots, or other fibrous vegetables may be included.
After the first week the diet should be composed of fresh vegetables, coarse cereals, eggs, bananas, nuts, salads, and wheat bran.
Those who are emaciated should drink an abundance of water immediately on rising and at meals. They should also take a sufficient quantity of plain wheat bran, or grapes if in season (Concord preferred), eating skins, seeds, and pulp, in order to keep the bowels in normal condition.
In cases of extreme emaciation, loss of appetite, or fermentation, the patient should, for a time, adopt a diet of milk and eggs, alternating as follows:
The first, second, and third days, drink from two and a half to four quarts of milk, in small quantities—one glass at a time. For the next three days, reduce the quantity of milk, and begin taking six eggs a day, increasing the number, until twelve eggs are taken. Alternate between the milk and the eggs, for a month or more, unless the patient responds in weight in a shorter time. When there is a perceptible gain in weight, and normal hunger has been restored, reduce the milk and the eggs, and add the solid foods already suggested.
In cases of Emaciation:
OMIT EAT Acid fruits Bananas Coffee Cheese Condiments Coarse cereals Tea Eggs Tobacco Fruits Wines and liquors Dates, figs, raisins Milk Sweet milk or buttermilk Nuts Vegetables, such as— Beets Lettuce Cabbage Parsnips Carrots Potatoes Celery Spinach Cauliflower Turnips Green beans Green peas The proteid and the carbohydrate foods should predominate in the diet.
| OMIT | EAT | |
| Acid fruits | Bananas | |
| Coffee | Cheese | |
| Condiments | Coarse cereals | |
| Tea | Eggs | |
| Tobacco | Fruits | |
| Wines and liquors | Dates, figs, raisins | |
| Milk | ||
| Sweet milk or buttermilk | ||
| Nuts | ||
| Vegetables, such as— | ||
| Beets | Lettuce | |
| Cabbage | Parsnips | |
| Carrots | Potatoes | |
| Celery | Spinach | |
| Cauliflower | Turnips | |
| Green beans | Green peas |