A Treatise on Diphtheria Author:A. McNeil Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER X. SANITARY ADJUVANTS. Having selected the remedy, attention should be giveii to the sanitary care of the patient. As regards this vital subject we... more » must in this as well as the medical treatment, follow the guidance of nature. The patient's inclinations should be closely studied. Never coax nor press him to eat, as long as there is no appetite he should eat nothing. If he has a desire, do not require him to eat anything he does not like, and remember that the sick very soon tire of dishes and should have a constant change. His appetite as regards quantity may need in convalescence some restraint put upon it. As regards desiring indigestible and injurious dishes, if the desire amounts to a longing, give it to him, with this qualification; for instance, there is very often a desire for acids, and he will ask for vinegar and pickles, instead, give him the fruit acids, lemon juice, lemonade, cranberry sauce, currants, etc. These will gratify him and not hurt him. Fresh and canned fruits may be given adlibitum. Light, nourishing dishes constantly changed should be given in preference. Coffee, should as a rule be prohibited. Tea may be allowed. Milk give freely. Water should never be refused. There is a nourishing drink that I have long used for the sick with gratifying results. Prepared in the following manner: Make a glass of lemonade, sweeten to patient's taste; pour it into a quart glass fruit jar, add a fresh egg, and shake till it is all in foam. It is very pleasant, extremely nourishing, and more easily digested than anything that can be given. Keep the patient tlean, change his clothing and that of the bed frequently, taking great care to dry and air the clean clothing. Whenever the skin is hot and dry sponge him off with a cloth dipped in water, and wrung so as ...« less