Treatment.—Rest in bed and total abstinence from food for from twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Salines are usually given by mouth or by rectum, but this is left to the discretion of the physician. Very little water is given by mouth during the period of total abstinence. Thirst is relieved by bits of ice, and enemas are given if necessary.
Administration of Diet.—When acute symptoms have disappeared and the stools are becoming more normal in character and number, a fluid diet of from four to six ounces is administered every three or four hours or oftener if patient is very weak. Brandy may likewise be given in cases in which exhaustion is marked.
Dietetic Treatment.—Concentrated foods of the simplest character and only those known to agree. Proprietary infant or invalid foods, except malted foods, which exert a laxative effect; among those found to be good may be mentioned Mellin’s Food, Imperial Granum, and Racahout.
Foods to Be Avoided.—Fatty foods; pork, veal, and shellfish; all foods that are subject to fermentation in the stomach or intestinal tract (sugar).
Foods to Be Limited.—Fluids, soup, beverages, etc., because they impose more work on the intestines.
ENTEROCOLITIS
Seat of Inflammation.—Lower intestine and colon.
Differentiating Characteristics.—More mucus and blood in stools; greater prostration; greater rise of temperature; and less anemia than in chronic enteritis.
Dietetic Treatment.—Practically the same as in other diarrheas.