Encyclopedia of Diet: A Treatise on the Food Question, Vol. 2Christian, Eugene
Science
Encyclopedia of Diet: A Treatise on the Food Question, Vol. 2
Christian, Eugene
Diet; Diet in disease; Food
It sometimes happens that the body is thrown into a chronic state
of emaciation on account of a catarrhal formation over the mucous
membrane of the intestines, which closes the "winking valves" that
take up nutriment from the alimentary tract. In such cases coarse
cereal or wheat bran, the seeds and skins of fruit, especially
grapes, together with milk and eggs, form the best foods known. The
milk and the eggs may be forced, not only beyond the limitations of
hunger, but beyond the normal needs of the body. By thus forcing
them for a short period of time (twenty to thirty days) a physical
"trial balance" can be reached, and the body brought to its normal
weight, which can be maintained for an indefinite period of time,
if the bill of fare is again balanced or leveled according to the
chemical requirements governed by the three natural laws, namely,
age, temperature of environment, and work.
[Sidenote: Diet for extreme constipation in emaciated cases]
There is another condition of chronic emaciation which, in the
beginning, should sometimes be treated in exactly the opposite way.
For instance, when the forcing of casein proteids, albumin and
nitrogen (the principal nutrient elements in milk and eggs) produces
complications, such as extreme constipation, it becomes necessary to
put the patient on a diet composed of coarse cellulose articles and
fruit for a period of from three to six days. This should be done in
the following manner:
Immediately on rising drink two or three cups of water--lime-free.
BREAKFAST
(One hour later)
The strained juice of two or three sweet oranges, or a bunch of
grapes; grapes preferred
A cup of wheat bran, cooked; serve hot, with thin cream
LUNCHEON
Plain wheat and an equal quantity of coarse wheat bran, cooked
until very soft; preferably simmered over night
A salad of celery, lettuce and tomatoes, with nuts
DINNER
About four tablespoonfuls of boiled wheat; also one of bran
A baked potato
One fresh vegetable
Drink copiously of water at all meals.
Just before retiring, eat half a pound of grapes, when in season.
After the first or second day this bill of fare may be increased
in quantity, and heavier fruits added, such as pears, prunes,
and very ripe bananas. After the fourth or fifth day, a salad
and a few of the lighter vegetables, such as onions, romaine or
cabbage, celery, carrots, or other fibrous vegetables may be
included.
After the first week the diet should be composed of fresh
vegetables, coarse cereals, eggs, bananas, nuts, salads, and
wheat bran.
Those who are emaciated should drink an abundance of water
immediately on rising and at meals. They should also take a
sufficient quantity of plain wheat bran, or grapes if in season
(Concord preferred), eating skins, seeds, and pulp, in order to keep
the bowels in normal condition.
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