Second: fluid diet consisting of broth, buttermilk, or some of the predigested liquid beef preparations which furnish both food and stimulation necessary in such cases.
Rectal Feeding may be found necessary when the prostration is great.
Personal Idiosyncrasies should be taken into account and effort made to find whether or not the attack is caused by any one food material or by bad sanitation or unclean food. The patient should be warned against the danger of taking a food which has caused a previous attack of poisoning, especially in cases where a personal idiosyncrasy against a food has been manifested.
PELLAGRA
The cause and cure for this disease are still a matter of discussion. Whether it is due to the presence or absence of certain substances in the food materials, is as yet to be determined.
Diet in Pellagra is most important. It is impossible to say that pellagra is a nutritional disease, but it is certain that in balancing the diet much has been done toward relieving the condition.
Diarrhea is one of the chief symptoms of the disease and great care is needed in formulating the dietary in order not to increase this condition.
Conclusion.—The diet is thus shown to be directed toward overcoming the emaciation and anemia and relieving or preventing the gastro-intestinal disturbances which are so apt to occur. It must be remembered that even a well-balanced diet will not materially relieve the condition unless it is instituted sufficiently early.
PROBLEMS
(a) Formulate a diet for an adult in which the base-forming elements predominate.