Remarks on diet in the treatment of the sick and convalescent according to the method of reason and common sense / by W.W.V.

  • Valk, W. W.
Date:
1843
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks on diet in the treatment of the sick and convalescent according to the method of reason and common sense / by W.W.V. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

    19/54
    water might be deemed suitable for the purposes stated ; but, as it is very apt to produce nausea, other drinks are employed ;—yet in all these, the water which they contain is the beneficial agent. In the sick room there are various kinds of beverages perfectly proper; such as— Toast Water, which is very mild and simple. Care should be taken in making it, that the bread is not burnt, as that would be apt to spoil its flavor, and render it disagreeable. Barley Water is very useful. It is one of the oldest and best diluents in fevers, and slightly nutritive. It is seldom, ivell made, therefore I give the process :—Take two ounces and a half of Pearl Barley, and four pints and a half of soft water. First wash the Barley well with cold water; then pour on it half a pint of the measured water, and boil for fifteen minutes. Throw this water away ; heat the other four pints, pour them on the barley, boil down to two pints, and strain it. Simple Barley Water, mixed with an equal quantity of milk, and moderately sweetened, forms an excellent substitute for breast milk, for infants who must be brought up with the spoon. Gruel, is less mild and demulcent than barley water, and no matter of what it is made, whether of Oatmeal, or other similar substances, it has a tendency to acetous fermentation, particularly when sweetened. If it is made thick, it cannot be advised as an aliment for the sick, more especially if fever be present; and if thin, it is no better than plain water. Tea.—In cases of fever, a cup of Black Tea, (and no other kind can be allowed,) with sugar and milk, poured into a tumbler of cold water, forms a pleasant and refreshing drink. Generally speaking, Tea is a favorite beverage with the sick ; but it should not be taken just after eating. 3