Symptoms.—Very like those of auto-intoxication, and violent intestinal disturbances are manifested.
Prostration may be great, according to the violence and duration of the attack.
Anemia follows many cases of poisoning as a result not only of the impairment and lack of nutrition of the blood-making organs, but also on account of the other symptoms, especially diarrhea occurring in the disease.
ACIDOSIS
This condition is more or less common, especially in the disturbances manifested by children.
Cause of acidosis is believed to be an impairment of metabolism, especially in regard to the fats.
Starvation or Malnutrition is believed to produce many cases of acidosis in childhood and adults suffering from diseases in which certain foods have been limited.
Dietetic Treatment like that used in acute gastro-intestinal disturbances begins with a starvation period and is followed by a simple fluid diet until violent symptoms subside. Examination of the stools and the material vomited will, at times, furnish an insight as to the source of the poison.
Convalescent Diet is begun after the violent symptoms have subsided, but care must be taken not to increase the diet too rapidly, owing to the danger from relapse.
Method of Administering Diet.—First: a period of total abstinence from food.