_The regulation of the flow of gastric juices_ is constitutional. The general circulation must be forceful, the habit of deep breathing and of regular periods of complete rest of body and mind established. Since one with chronic gastritis is liable to have many idiosyncracies, he should not be urged to eat foods for which he has a dislike. The easily digested foods should be prepared in various ways and served in an appetizing, dainty manner. There are four special phases of chronic gastritis, Mucous Gastritis, Hyperchlorhydria, Hypochlorhydria and Achlorhydria. In _Mucous Gastritis_ there is a profuse secretion of mucus into the stomach. In this case it is always well to wash out the stomach before introducing food, as suggested above. The same general diet, suggested above for acute gastritis, should be followed. _Hyperchlorhydria._ The condition known as Hyperchlorhydria shows a liberal excess of hydrochloric acid. The condition is common, and is brought on by worry, nervous excitement, eating when overtired, irregularity of food, imperfect mastication and excessive use of alcohol. The diet should be a mixed one, in about normal proportions. If anything, it should incline more to proteins than to starches. The hydrochloric acid is necessary for the digestion of proteins. It reduces the protein to acid albumin, which is less irritating to the stomach. However the proteins are stimulating to the stomach and the protein proportion should not be carried to excess. The juice of one-fourth of a lemon taken one half hour before the meal will decrease the secretion of hydrochloric acid into the stomach. Limewater and milk may constitute the diet for two days; alkaline, effervescing mineral water may be used and then the diet should follow the general principles for chronic gastritis. Avoid all irritating foods. _Hypochlorhydria_ is a diminution in the amount of hydrochloric acid. Physicians often administer hydrochloric acid about one half hour to an hour after the meal. Many advocate a diet omitting protein, but since protein foods stimulate the flow of gastric juices, they should _not_ be omitted, but used a little less freely. _Achlorhydria._ Where there is an entire absence of hydrochloric acid, as in Achlorhydria, the stomach, of course, cannot digest proteins and this digestion must be done entirely by the trypsin of the pancreatic juice. The presence of liquified protein as beef juice in the stomach, however, acts as a stimulus to the gastric juice and is an agency in again starting its flow. The foods should be liquid, so as to pass through the stomach without irritation. Clear milk must be excluded, because of the action of the rennin in coagulating the casein. This would irritate the stomach.