Dietetics for NursesProudfit, Fairfax T. (Fairfax Throckmorton)
Science
Dietetics for Nurses
Proudfit, Fairfax T. (Fairfax Throckmorton)
Diet in disease
Roast beef.
Spinach or cauliflower served with butter sauce.
Cold slaw.
Pineapple jelly (pineapple left in), whipped cream,
or
Date and fig pudding.
AUTO-INTOXICATION
Auto-intoxication is a condition produced by the absorption of the
decomposition products of food in the intestinal canal.
~Absorption of Toxins.~--As a rule the condition occurs in
individuals suffering more or less from constipation which may be due
to errors in diet or a lack of tone in the intestines, giving rise to
a sluggishness in the peristaltic movements in this region of the
alimentary canal. In certain individuals the liver is more or less
sluggish, or in some way fails to do its regular work of detoxifying
the products of metabolism brought in by the blood stream, in which
case these toxins are reabsorbed into the system and induce a
condition known as auto-intoxication.
~Care of Bowels.~--As a rule the patient has more or less fever,
nausea and at times vomiting. The head aches and the abdomen may be
distended by the formation of gas in the intestines. The treatment is
like that used in the majority of intestinal disorders. The bowels are
emptied by means of soapsuds or salts and glycerin enemas. Certain
physicians recommend an enema made with equal quantities of milk and
molasses, with enough hot water added to make a thin, warm solution.
Care must be used in preparing this flatus enema on account of the
danger of curdling the milk with the acid in the molasses and the hot
water. If the solution should curdle it must be discarded and a fresh
solution prepared. A flatus enema containing salts, glycerin, and a
few drops of turpentine is also valuable in removing the gas formed by
the action of the putrefactive bacteria upon the unabsorbed food mass.
This enema must be given "high" so as to reach the spot in the colon
where it may efficiently do its work.
~Dietetic Treatment.~--The diet may consist of fluids for the first
few days, or as long as the fever continues. ~Buttermilk~ is probably
the best fluid food to use under such conditions, since it not only
nourishes, but likewise furnishes lactic acid bacteria which aid in
the destruction of the more harmful bacteria, especially numerous
under the conditions just mentioned. When whole milk is given it is
best to peptonize it. Well-strained meat broths may be given
occasionally to vary the diet and albumenized orange juice or orange
juice in carbonated water may also be given once or twice daily during
the febrile period. After this, the patient may have well-cooked
cereal gruels. These may be dextrinized with vegetable diastase (Taka
diastase) if necessary. A return to normal diet is made gradually to
prevent a return of the trouble. The patient should be advised against
overeating, and eating highly seasoned or indigestible foods.
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