D URING THE FE VERISH STA TE. 373 



becomes a habit, and in very bad cases is con- 

 tinually repeated, while the patient remains in a half 

 delirious or even totally unconscious state. When this 

 troublesome symptom is first noticed, it is better to 

 change the food. Milk alone may be offered, or iced 

 milk, or even pure water only, for a time given. 



Whenever it can be obtained, well-made beef-tea, 

 made from fresh beef, should be tried. The " essence 

 of beef" (sold by Brand and Co., Little Stanhope- 

 street, Hertford-street, Mayfair) is a most valuable 

 preparation, and almost always liked by patients. It 

 may always be obtained quite fresh, and can be 

 forwarded daily into the country. This most excel- 

 lent preparation for invalids should not be kept more 

 than three days in winter, or two in summer. Next to 

 these freshly made essences may be mentioned the 

 extracts of meat which are now largely sold. During 

 the last few years Liebig's extract has much improved 

 in quality ; and the meat extracts made by Messrs. 

 Whitehead are extremely good. A very palatable 

 form of beef-tea is made by merely adding boiling 

 water to two teaspoonfuls of Liebig's extract, placed 

 in a teacup. In some cases it is necessary that what- 

 ever is given should contain very little salt ; for, in 

 consequence of numerous .cracks upon the tongue, 

 and the presence of little superficial sores on different 

 parts of the mucous membrane of the mouth, this 

 substance causes great pain, and sets the patient 

 against food. The fresh beef-tea and Brand's essence 



2 C 



