346 



THE FAECES 



Prior to using this test diet, one should familiarize himself with the macroscopic 

 and microscopic appearances resulting from such a diet in a normal person; informa- 

 tion is then at hand to judge of variations from the normal. The examination of 

 the faeces of persons, on ordinary and specifically undetermined articles of diet, is 

 very unsatisfactory when the state of digestion of muscle fibers and the question 

 of fat digestion are at issue. 



In examining the faeces of the normal person and likewise with the patient, wait 

 until the second or third day so that the faeces of previous diets may have passed out. 

 A charcoal powder taken before commencing the diet serves as an indicator. 



Diet: breakfast, 7 A. M., bowl of oatmeal gruel (40 grams oatmeal, 10 grams 

 butter, 200 c.c. milk, 300 c.c. water). Also one very soft-boiled egg (i min.) and 50 

 grams zwieback. In the forenoon, 500 c.c. of milk. 



For dinner, 2 o'clock, chopped beef broiled very rare (125 grams with 20 grams 

 butter poured over it). Also a potato puree (200 grams mashed potato, 50 grams 

 milk, 10 grams butter). Also 1/2 liter of milk and 50 grams zwieback. 



FIG. 104. Microscopical constituents of faeces, (v. Jaksch.} a, Muscle fibers; 

 b, connective tissue; c, epithelium; d, leukocytes; e, spiral cells; /, g, k, i, various 

 vegetable cells; k, "triple phosphate" crystals; /, woody vegetable cells; the whole 

 interspersed with innumerable microorganisms of various kinds. 



For supper, 7 o'clock, the same articles as for breakfast. 



This detailed diet may be varied to suit circumstances as regards interchanging 

 meals. Furthermore, the milk may be taken in the form of tea or cocoa or cooked 

 with the other food. Even a small amount of wine may be permitted. The diet 

 taken, however, should absolutely conform to the following requirements: i. the 

 taking of 1/4 pound chopped beef, a portion of which should be half raw; 2. the milk 

 taken should amount to about a quart; 3. about 4 ounces of bread or toast and from 

 4 to 8 ounces of potato puree should be eaten daily. 



The detailed diet contains about no grams albumin, 105 grams fat and 200 

 grams carbohydrates with a fuel value of 2247 calories. 



The stool is best collected in quart fruit jars and examined as soon after evacua- 

 tion as possible. The wooden spatula like tongue depressors are well adapted to 

 handling the specimen. 



