THYROID INSUFFICIENCY 63 



occipital headaches, insomnia, and tinnitus, a 

 purin-free diet is wise for a time : partial starva- 

 tion and rest are also wise, for there is the ever- 

 present danger of cerebral haemorrhage. A 

 rather drastic but most effective way of clearing 

 the bowel and of making a fresh start is 24 hours 

 bed, 24 hours starvation, ^ of a grain of calomel 

 every hour for 12 hours, and as much hot water 

 as can comfortably be drunk : calomel is a 

 thyroid stimulant, acting rapidly on that organ, 

 and at the same time an intestinal bactericide. 



In chronic cases the regime need not be so 

 rigorous. Red meat should be eaten sparingly 

 and not more than once a day : mutton is better 

 than beef ; the meat extracts such as beef-tea 

 and rich gravy soup should be avoided. Vege- 

 table soups made with a bone stock are quite 

 allowable. Cheese, eggs, milk, and fish should 

 supply the greater part of the nitrogenous intake. 

 An approximate purin-free diet is as follows. 

 Nuts are the most nutritious, and contain the 

 most fat; chestnuts are the most digestible, 

 macaroni, dates, raisins, and cheese are all purin- 

 free. White bread, potatoes, and milk contain 

 minute traces, but so little that it may be ignored. 

 Cream, butter, fats, eggs, apples, grapes, figs, and 

 honey are also purin-free; in fact, one may say 



