The attack may be accompanied by more or less pain of a colicky nature, due to the formation of gas in the intestinal tract. In ptomaine poisoning this pain is sometimes very intense. As a rule the intestinal tract is emptied by means of salt, oil, etc., but this is generally directed by the physician. A soapsuds or salts and glycerin enema to flush the colon will often give quick relief by dispelling the gas. ~Starvation.~--The entire digestive tract requires absolute rest for a certain period; no food and very little water, the latter in the form of bits of ice only, are given for a period lasting from twelve to thirty-six hours or more, depending upon the violence of the attack and the condition of the patient. This is to allow the toxic substances which are probably causing the disturbance to pass out of the body, either in the feces or in the urine. When the acute symptoms subside, that is, when the pain and distention of the intestines have disappeared, and the bowel movements become more normal in number and character, the dietetic treatment suitable to the condition is instituted. ~Dietetic Treatment.~--The first day the patient is given a small cup of weak tea, half a glass of buttermilk or peptonized milk, or a cup of well-skimmed meat broth, every three or four hours. If the patient is weak, the nourishment may be given oftener, and in those cases it is often found advisable to give a small amount of alcohol in the form of brandy in albumen water, or panopepton or liquid peptonoids. These may be administered in tablespoonful doses every two hours. Whole milk, unless it is peptonized, and at times even then, is not advisable in diarrheal conditions on account of its liability to form curds which decompose with the production of toxic substances, known to be exceedingly irritating to the already inflamed mucous membranes lining the intestinal walls. ~Increasing the Diet.~--As the diarrhea and inflammation subside, the following foods are gradually introduced into the dietary, keeping in mind always that a return of the acute symptoms is apt to occur. Hence the patient must never be overfed. It is better to err on the side of too little than too much food during the early convalescent period.