494 MEALS MEDICINAL. 
into a thin gruel. An egg-white mixture will sometimes help 
when very little food can be taken at a time, or where vomiting 
is troublesome. “ Imperial drink” will serve to supply a certain 
quantity of sugar when allowable ; but if the bowels are relaxed 
barley-water should be substituted. Alcohol will be necessary 
if the circulation falters, the pulse being small, quick, and 
perhaps irregular, or if nervous exhaustion is declared by sleep- 
lessness, tremors, and low wanderings of the mind; or, again, 
if the digestive powers appear to be failing, as shown by inability 
to take food, by dry tongue, and relaxed bowels, the temperature 
being persistently high ; particularly if the patient was already 
in a feeble bodily state when attacked, as in elderly, or alcoholic 
subjects. Sound malt whisky, with water, is as good a form of 
alcohol as any other, or, if the prostration is extreme, brandy 
(genuine Cognac) must be preferred. If wine is chosen by 
preference, or necessity, then old sherry is best because of its 
restorative ethers; or good, . dry, effervescing champagne, if 
sickness is present. For the delirium of a hard drinker bottled 
stout is found to exert a particularly sedative effect. 
Lactose (sugar of milk) is credited with the dispersion of 
rheumatic deposits, and chronic enlargements about joints, to 
an extent almost marvellous, if steadily taken every day for 
some long continuance of three months, or more, whilst at the 
same time a suitable diet is adhered to. The dose of lactose 
is from half to one teaspoonful twice a day, in water, or milk. 
When rheumatic gout, with deposits about the enlarged joints 
of feet, hands, knees, etc., prevailed as the result of freely 
indulging in alcoholic liquors, a hundred or more years ago, 
so that the nether limbs of such drinkers were no longer shapely, 
trousers were introduced. They may be said to have owed their 
origin to old-world royalty, which in those days ate, and especially 
drank, heavily, and consequently became disfigured by gout 
in the lower limbs. Then noted personages, so as to vindicate 
their character, and symmetry of form, adopted the device of 
close-fitting pantaloons; to wit, George the Fourth, as Prince 
Regent ; with his brothers the Dukes of York, Clarence, Cumber- 
land, and Sussex, as well as the French Princes, afterwards 
regnant as Louis the Eighteenth, Charles the Tenth, and Louis 
Philippe. King Frederick William the Third of Prussia, and many 
other illustrious personages also adopted pantaloons, which were 
at the time a source of endless ridicule and entertainment, to 
