Tuberculosis Nursing.—The nurse must keep in mind that the lungs are in a condition more or less out of commission, and their work of excretion is forced upon the kidneys. For this reason, as well as on account of the increased strain upon the heart, it is necessary to keep the diet light and avoid all foods which may in any way exert an unfavorable influence upon either the kidneys or the heart.
Milk Diet.—A strict milk diet has been found necessary in certain cases of pneumonia, but this is used only while the febrile condition lasts, after which the diet is gradually increased, as in the case of acute nephritis and in diseases of the heart, to meet the needs of the individual.
TONSILLITIS
Dietetic Treatment.—The diet in this condition is much the same as that used in other acute febrile conditions, that is, a fluid diet, the basis of which is, as a rule, milk.
The development of nephritis and certain cardiac symptoms at times follow attacks of tonsillitis, and for this reason the urine must be examined frequently and the diet carefully adjusted to avert, if possible, this danger. When acute nephritis does follow the attack of tonsillitis, the diet must necessarily be adjusted to meet that condition rather than that of the original disease.
Special Diets.—The Mosenthal diet, and at times the Karell Cure, is used with more or less success. This, however, is adjusted by the physician. It remains for the nurse to report any unfavorable symptoms as soon as they occur, and to carry out the line of dietetic treatment deemed advisable by the physician.
SUMMARY
TUBERCULOSIS
Form.—Acute and chronic in character. The chief aim of the treatment in the former is to prevent its development into a chronic form.
Rest.—Sleep, preferably in the open air, in a tent or on a sleeping porch.