316 DIET FOB CONSUMPTION. 



phosphorus contained in the oil, thus forming a natural compound 

 of food and medicine. It may be advantageously given in scrofulous 

 affections and troublesome cough, especially if occurring in a 

 family in which consumption has oeen fatal. 



The best time to administer the oil is with, or directly after, 

 food. If there be any difficulty in retaining the oil, it may be given 

 just as the patient lies down to sleep. Tasty accessories will often 

 disguise the flavor of the oil so as to prevent nausea. But when 

 there exists an insuperable repugnance to the internal use of the 

 oil, injections containing it may be tried ; or it may be introduced 

 into the system by inunction, or rubbing it into the skin, or by 

 applying chamois-leather soaked in it to the chest, sides or between 

 tne shoulders. 



Besides cod-liver oil, there are other animal fats and oils which, 

 if they can be taken and assimilated, are certain to be followed with 

 good results; such as rich milk, cream, butter, home-fed, fat bacon 

 and other substances rich in fatty matter. Suet boiled in milk is 

 one of the best substitutes for the oil and to some persons is not 

 repugnant. Cream is often of great value; to prevent its oppressing 

 the stomach, a teaspoonful of cold, strong, black tea may be mixed 

 with it. Cream is, however, probably inferior to cod-liver oil and 

 has not the same anti-tubercular effect, for the iodine which is 

 present in the former is absent from the latter. These varieties are 

 mentioned so that in the event of a change being desired, one may 

 be substituted for another, as circumstances indicate. 



Cod-liver oil is a food rather than a medicine, although the 

 minute amount of iodine and phosphorus it contains may account 

 for some of its curative virtues. It is especially valuable in the 

 various forms of scrofula, and in all diseases which require fatty 

 substances as food and iodine as a remedy. 



In the treatment of consumption it stands pre-eminent above 

 other remedies, for when given in suitable cases it checks emaciation 

 and strengthens the muscular structures. 



The value of cod-liver oil is often very marked in the sequel of 

 many acute diseases or inflammations occurring in middle-aged and 

 in old persons, in whom the reparative powers are less active than 

 in children; also in the after-effects of acute fevers in children who 

 have suffered, previously to such attacks, from impoverished health. 

 Scrofula, rickets, St. Vitus's dance, etc., are generally much benefited 

 by the administration of cod-liver oil. Chronic rheumatism and 

 gout, chronic bronchitis, chronic skin-diseases, and the degenerative 

 diseases of the aged, are all more or less benefited by cod-liver oil. 



Cod-liver oil should, however, not be administered indiscrimi- 

 nately. It is generally inadmissible during the persistence of acute 

 febrile symptoms, congestion, bleeding of the lungs or any active 

 form of disease; digestion being then impaired and the mucous mem- 

 brane irritable, the oil is only likely to increase the disorder; not till 

 the disease subsides, the pulse falls and the hectic ceases, can it be 



