Diet for Constipation.—Individuals inclined to biliousness should endeavor to overcome the constipation which is one of the most prominent features. This is done by proper diet more successfully than by drugs (cathartics): bran bread, vegetable soup, fresh fruit, stewed fruit, fruit beverages, plenty of water. The following menus are suggested:
Advice to Patient.—The above menus are merely suggested. The diet may be selected from the list of foods already mentioned. The patient must be warned against overeating and drinking. Pastry, rich cakes and puddings, confectionery, gravies, etc., must be avoided. In certain individuals beer will induce a bilious attack. By them it should be avoided.
CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER
The cause of this disease and the stage in which it exists must determine the treatment necessary. However, it matters not what produced the disease, whether it is the result of alcoholism, syphilis, etc., the diet plays an important rôle in its cure.
The Diet.—The diet in this disease, as in any other, must be determined by the condition of the patient. Unfortunately, many patients do not know of their condition until the disease is well advanced and symptoms of obstruction are prominent. A study of these must be made before the diet can be formulated. When the symptoms are mainly those arising from disturbed digestion of the stomach and intestines, without kidney or heart complication, the diet for chronic gastritis is used.
Restricting the Fluids.—When the heart is involved, it is sometimes found necessary to restrict the fluids (dry diet) to 1 quart (about 1000 c.c.) per day. The Karell Cure has been used advantageously in many of these cases. In cases where the kidneys are involved, the diet will depend upon the condition of these organs.
Restricting the Diet.—The diet in any case must be restricted. Individuals with a tendency to cirrhosis and those coming of a family in which liver diseases are frequent should be especially warned about the dangers of overeating and drinking. Alcohol should be avoided especially by such individuals. They should keep their diet simple in character and moderate in amounts.
Avoidable Foods.—All foods, such as condiments and spices, meat extracts, the outside browned portions of roasted meat, alcoholic beverages, which exert a stimulating or irritating effect upon the liver, should be studiously avoided and the fats and carbohydrates restricted, since, as it has already been demonstrated, it is upon the liver that the body depends for the preparation of these substances for their utilization. When, for example, the flow of bile is lessened, an incomplete emulsification of the fats exists and the fatty acids which are highly acid in character cannot be efficiently dissolved or neutralized, or when the liver is diseased and for this reason the conversion of glycogen into glucose is interfered with, the utilization of the carbohydrate foods is thus impaired.