~Determining the Extent of Acidosis.~--It will be remembered that in an earlier chapter it was found that the excretion of ammonia in the urine to a certain extent indicated the extent of the acidosis in the body, that is, if the ammonia output exceeds three or four grams a day (twenty-four hours), the extent of the acidosis is considerable, while if it falls below that amount it is not alarming. More exact methods, however, for the determining of the severity of the acidosis will be found in another part of this text, where the test for sugar and the acetone bodies will be explained in detail. ~Dietetic Treatment.~--The patient is placed upon a vegetable diet consisting of vegetables containing not more than five per cent. carbohydrate.[144] These vegetables have their carbohydrate content still further reduced by changing the water in which they are cooked three times. In many cases this will reduce their content as much as one-half. A small amount of fat usually in the form of butter is allowed with these vegetables. The amount of 5% vegetables given must be carefully adjusted since the patient might readily take too much if allowed to follow the dictates of his appetite. The carbohydrate intake during the first one or two days must be limited to 15 grams. This allows about 10 grams of protein, 7 grams of fat, and 15 grams of carbohydrates. Tea or coffee, without sugar or cream, may be given at each of the three meals. The following table is included, showing the various foods arranged according to their carbohydrate content: TABLE[145] STRICT DIET Meats, fish, broths, gelatin, eggs, butter, olive oil, coffee, tea, and cracked cocoa. Foods arranged approximately according to per cent of carbohydrates