THE FRONTIERS OF MEDICINE 



may be so severe as to represent one of the main factors 

 in the cause of death. 



In its advance into the unknown, scientific medicine has 

 taken advantage of the work of the chemist for determin- 

 ing exactly the condition of the human body. The technical 

 methods are extremely intricate and can be performed only 

 by those who have had special training. They reveal 

 definitely the exact extent of the acidosis from which the 

 patient may be suffering and indicate also the nature of 

 the treatment that must be used to overcome the 

 condition. 



Obviously, when acidosis occurs in diabetes or in 

 Bright's disease, attention must be directed to improve 

 the work of the organs that are weak, namely, the pancreas 

 and the kidney. The work of the pancreas is improved by 

 giving insulin and by changing the diet. The work of the 

 kidney is improved by the use of sweat baths which 

 eliminate materials through the skin and by a change 

 in diet so as to throw less stress on the kidney. 



In every one of the conditions in which acidosis develops, 

 attention must be given to the water exchange, and it must 

 be seen that the patient has a sufficient amount of water 

 to take care of all of the factors that have been mentioned 

 in the discussion of water. 



There exists also the possibility of correcting the acid 

 state to some extent by the use of foods that tend more 

 toward the alkaline side. There are many foods which 

 have value for this purpose. They include particularly 

 peas, oranges, potatoes, peaches, cantaloupes, celery, 

 carrots, beets, and lima beans. There are other foods which 

 tend particularly toward the production of acid. Among 

 them are bread, eggs, meats, oysters, oatmeal, and rice. 



If severe acidosis is present, the person must be kept 

 absolutely at rest, and care must be taken to see that he is 

 kept warm. 



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