Food and the principles of dietetics / by Robert Hutchison.

  • Hutchison, Robert, Sir, 1871-1960.
Date:
1911
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Food and the principles of dietetics / by Robert Hutchison. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

    161/655 (page 131)
    says Donkin, ‘ either seriously impairs or altogether destroys its' therapeutic energy, possibly by altering the molecular constitution of the casein or by destroying some vital property with which it is endowed.’ At first not more than 2 to 6 ounces should be given, at regular intervals of three or four hours, none being given at 4 a.m. The milk should be sipped, not swallowed at a draught, and may be given either warm or cold as preferred. By the third day the quantity at each feed may be increased to half a pint, so that in all 3 pints are consumed. By the end of a week the total may have risen to 6 pints per day, but one should not attempt to go much above this. The ‘ cure ’ should last five or six weeks. Amongst the ‘ normal ’ symptoms exhibited by a patient on a purely milk diet are a certain amount of drowsiness and the passage of a large quantity of urine of a pale greenish colour, which gives no brownish-red ring on the addition of nitric acid. The tongue is covered with a white fur, and there is often a sweetish taste in the mouth. A moderate degree of constipation is a good sign, orange- coloured stools being passed at intervals of two or three days. If this symptom becomes too pronounced, a little coffee or caramel may be added to the morning’s milk, or a little stewed fruit may be taken once a day. Diarrhoea is due to the use of a too rich milk. The objections, frequently of a fanciful nature, which are often urged by the patient at the beginning of such a regimen must be overcome by firmness and tact, while in some cases the addition of a little tea, coffee, caramel, or salt may make the milk more endur- able.