726 PLAIN FACTS FOR OLD AND YOUNG 



essential in many cases, even after a cure has been 

 effected, in order to i^revent a relapse. We are certain, 

 however, that a change of this kind is often advised 

 when a change of diet is all that is required. 



CONSTIPATION 



The matter of first importance in the treatment of 

 constipation is the diet. The abundant use of fruit 

 is one of the most excellent means of preventing and 

 curing this disease. One or two oranges before break- 

 fast; a coui^le of apples at breakfast; the free use of 

 steamed figs, stewed prunes, and all other fruits, are 

 means to be recommended in nearly all cases of chronic 

 constipation. There are, of course, some cases in which 

 fruits must be avoided. In these cases coarse grains 

 serve a useful purpose— cracked wheat, oatmeal, gra- 

 ham or bran bread, bran cakes, peas, beans, lentils, 

 asparagus, green peas, string beans, and similar vege- 

 tables which are easy of digestion, but which contain 

 a considerable amount of woody or indigestible sub- 

 stance, may also be advantageously used. Coarse 

 vegetables, however, must be avoided in cases where 

 there is marked dilatation of the stomach. Granola, 

 toasted wheat flakes, granose biscuit, granuto, and es- 

 pecially bran gluten biscuit are of great value in the 

 treatment of constipation. Meltose marmalades, bro- 

 mose, yogurt and colax are also highly valuable food 

 remedies. A glass of cold water before breakfast is a 

 prescription which has cured many cases of constipa- 

 tion. The free use of water, taken one or two hours 

 before each meal, is a means of value. 



Exercises of various kinds, particularly such as 



