DIET 1OR CHOLERA. 311 



should the latter be found too heavy, it may be taken in the form 

 of cafe au lait. Bacon for breakfast is also useful, its value con- 

 sisting in the quantity of fat which it contains in a compact form, 

 and when broiled in slices, which secures thorough cooking, it rarely 

 disagrees even with the most delicate stomach. The lean portions 

 are of less value, and when too highly cured, bacon becomes less 

 amenable to the gastric juices. 



Stimulation to the scalp is also useful. Local applications of 

 wool-fat, well rubbed in, will be found decidedly beneficial. 



When hair begins to grow again after failure, it is soft and 

 downy, like an infant's; it is well, therefore, to strengthen it by 

 shaving; hence Dr. Godfrey's advice, "It is a good plan to mow 

 the cranial lawns once a fortnight until stubble takes the place of 

 down." 



DIET FOR CHOLERA. 



During" Prevalence "Whenever cholera is epidemic it be- 

 hooves all persons to be very careful of their health, to be scrupu- 

 lous about sanitary and hygienic matters, and to take only whole- 

 some and suitable food. Every one should abstain from any article 

 of food (whether animal or vegetable) which may have previously 

 disordered his stomach, no matter how nutritious, digestible or safe 

 to others, and avoid all manner of excess in eating and drinking. 

 A light, unstimulating diet should be taken, but food difficult of 

 digestion eschewed such as pickled salmon, lobsters, raw vegeta- 

 bles, sour and unripe fruits, cucumber, salads, pickles, etc. Whole- 

 some varieties of ripe fruits, whether in their natural or cooked 

 state, and vegetables plainly cooked may be taken in moderation by 

 those with whom they agree. Water for all domestic purposes 

 should be boiled and allowed to cool; drinking-water ought to be 

 filtered as well as boiled, as it is quite possible it may hold in solu 

 tion the material poison of cholera which would be destroyed by 

 boiling and filtering. Late suppers are unsafe, for if a person is 

 overtaken by the disease in the middle of the night with a full 

 stomach the case is generally a serious one. 



During 1 Attack In every case of cholera complete abstin 

 ence from even the very lightest kind of aliment should be inexor- 

 ably enforced from the moment that the nature of the disease is 

 ascertained till convalescence has become decided ; in the observance 

 of this rule consists the very essence of successful treatment. The 

 plan of complete abstinence from food has not invariably been 

 adopted by all ranks of the medical profession, and this may ac- 

 count to some extent for the excessive mortality from cholera dur- 

 ing some epidemics. Relapse, with alarming effects, has followed 

 from the administration of a little beef -tea or brandy and water, or 

 milk and water. When favorable reaction has begun, brandy, beef- 



