Liquids.—Pure water, toast water, barley water, butter milk, malted milk, milk.
Eat eggs sparingly and in severe cases, not at all.
AVOID.—Alcohol, coffee, tobacco, dried fruits, nuts, cheese, candies, pastries, pies, spices, rich puddings, fried foods, vinegar, pickles, lemons, rhubarb, mushrooms, asparagus, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, gravies, patties, rich soups, lobster, salmon, crabs, mackeral, eel, veal, pork, goose, duck, turkey, salted, dried, potted or preserved fish or meat, (except bacon).
Rheumatism.
Since the medical profession is unable to determine just what rheumatism is, it is difficult to prescribe a diet. The theory so long believed that it is an excess of uric acid in the system is no longer held by most of the advanced physicians. Some authorities hold that it is a nerve difficulty; others that it is an excess of lactic acid. Some authorities put one on an entire meat diet, in case of rheumatism, and others entirely exclude meat. Uric acid may accompany the disease.
Assuming that it is due to the failure of the system to promptly eliminate its waste, whether this failure to eliminate be through a weakened condition of the nerves, and the consequent failure to properly direct the body activities, the correction of the difficulty must lie in building up the general vitality and in aiding the system in its elimination. Hot sweat baths, a free use of water and a free use of fruits, particularly the citrous fruits, such as lemons, oranges, limes, etc., are desirable, because they increase the alkalinity of the blood. The acid unites with other acids of the body acting as a re-agent. Often when the acids of the stomach are strong, sodium carbonate (baking soda) produces an alkaline reaction.
The diet should be cut down in quantity. Meat may be eliminated if an excess of uric acid exists and the above suggestions under the diet for Gout be followed.
Fruit juices should be used freely because of their alkaline reaction and because of their diuretic effect. Lemonade, orangeade and all fresh fruits and vegetables are diuretic.
Regular exercises, until the body is thoroughly heated, deep breathing of pure air day and night and a copious drinking of water are necessary.