Conference of Officers in Charge of Government Hospitals Serving Veterans of the World War
History
Conference of Officers in Charge of Government Hospitals Serving Veterans of the World War
Medicine, Military; Military hospitals; World War, 1914-1918 -- Veterans -- Medical care -- United States
We find in these hospitals every kind of patient from the boy who on
account of religion does not eat certain foods, to the boy who eats
anything he can procure, regardless of whether he is on a diet or not.
Dietetic treatment in the latter case is practically impossible, while
the former is usually very reasonable and gives little trouble.
Again we find the patient who is earnestly trying to improve his
condition. If his ailment requires careful feeding, he may come to the
dietitian to talk over with her the question of his diet. Here is an
opportunity for the trained dietitian to give helpful instruction
concerning the dietetic value of different kinds of food as they pertain
to his particular case.
The ward surgeons may in may cases render valuable assistance to the
dietitian in her problems, by instilling in the patient a confidence in
her judgment. Of course, the doctor must himself feel sure that his
confidence is not misplaced. There should be the closest cooperation
between the ward surgeon and the dietitian. She should confer with him
as to special diets, and thru him should ascertain the progress of the
patients on those diets.
There should also be a complete understanding of just what is meant by
liquid, soft and light diets. Experience has taught us that doctors,
nurses and dietitians from different localities do not always give the
same interpretation to these terms. It will save much confusion for all
concerned if some standard is agreed upon.
The question of diet in these hospitals therefore resolves itself into
three problems—first, an effort to secure the foods necessary for a wide
variety of diet; second, an effort to serve these foods in a wholesome,
appetizing manner amid attractive surroundings; and third, an effort to
instill in the ex-service man a feeling of contentment and satisfaction
which will go far as an aid to dietetic treatment.”
MR. J. D. SULLIVAN, of St. Elizabeths Hospital, gave the following
discussion “Diet and the Service of Foods, at St. Elizabeths Hospital”.
“In preparing menus and estimating the amounts of foods needed for the
population of St. Elizabeths Hospital, we base our calculations on the
standard dietary tables, as published by the office of Home Economics,
and the experimental stations of the department of Agriculture.
From extensive investigations carried on by the experts on dietetics, it
has been found that the average man using much muscular energy in work
or play, will require food sufficient to supply 4000 calories of energy
daily; the average woman using much muscular energy, will require 2700
calories; the average man doing little or no work 2700 calories; the
average woman or girl doing little or no work, will require 2100
calories.
Many of our patients are engaged daily at some work, and they lead a
fairly active life; their food requirements, together with the employees
of the hospital, can safely be calculated from the standard dietary
tables.
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