DIET FOR RICKETS. 341 



found very successful in rheumatic fever. But while this diet 

 diminishes the formation of acid and lessens cardiac power, thus 

 rendering the pulse smaller and softer, this second effect renders 

 extreme caution necessary in its adoption, when either heart or brain 

 is seriously affected. 



Dr. Parkes has given biscuits made in the following manner 

 with very good results and with satisfaction to the patients : " But- 

 ter was melted in a jug placed in a warm-water bath, and the liquid 

 oil was poured off. Arrow-root cakes were made with a portion of 

 this butter and a little sugar was added. Sweetened arrow-root or 

 other farinaceous jellies are also acceptable. 



Farinaceous (flour) food is not so readily and abundantly con- 

 verted into the offending acid; this, therefore, constitutes the only 

 appropriate diet. During the fever it should be restricted to water, 

 milk and soda-water in equal quantities, barley-water, gruel, arrow- 

 root, rice, corn-flour, panada and other preparations ot bread, oat- 

 meal-porridge, mashed potatoes, etc. Even when the pain is gone 

 and all that appears to be requisite is the recovery of flesh and 

 strength, nothing is gained by a too speedy return to ordinary diet ; 

 in fact, relapse is rendered probable by its adoption. Mutton-broth, 

 beef-tea and other liquid or semi-liquid preparations, and next light 

 puddings, preparations of bread, white fish and fowl must for a time 

 constitute the transitional diet. Malt liquors in acute rheumatism, 

 sweet wines and much sugar should always be avoided. But alco- 

 holic stimulants may be needed in depression from severe heart 

 implications. Lemon-juice may be taken freely. 



In chronic rheumatism the diet should be generous but easy of 

 digestion, as attacks are often occasioned by disorders of the 

 stomach. Beer and strong or sweet wines milst be avoided. 



A sufferer from chronic rheumatism should wear red flannel 

 next to the skin, or over a cotton garment, the thickness of the flan- 

 nel being regulated by the weather, and should have plenty of rest 

 and bask in the sun. 



DIET FOB RICKETS. 



Rickets is essentially a disease of mal-nutrition and is not 

 hereditary as scrofula often is. It is a disease of early childhood, 

 manifesting itself as early as the seventh to the eighteenth month, 

 rarely after the twenty-fourth. Every organ of the body is impli- 

 cated, although it is most manifest in the bones, which are deficient 

 in lime-elements. They are therefore gelatinous, soft and yielding. 

 This deficiency in the more substantial bony particles is caused by 

 improper diet and is only to be corrected, by supplying what is 

 proper. Rickets does not occur in children who are kept too long 

 at the breast, but among those that are weaned too soon. It is not 

 because they are supplied with milk, but because they are fed too 



