CHAPTER XXVII. 

 THE FAECES. 



IF the fecal examination is to be made for the diagnosis of amoebae, 

 in a case where the characteristic mucous stools are not present, or to 

 verify the existence of flagellates, it is best to give a dose of salts early 

 in the morning and examine the liquid stools which follow such treat- 

 ment. This treatment is satisfactory for examination for intestinal 

 parasites and ova. 



The blood-flecked mucus of bacillary dysentery or a piece of 

 mucus from a typical amoebic dysentery stool are best suited for 

 cultural examination. 



If the purpose of the examination is to determine the digestive 

 power of the alimentary tract for proteids, carbohydrates or fats, it is 

 best to use a test diet, as that of Schmidt and Strasburger. 



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

 the microscopic appearances resulting from such a diet in a normal 

 person; information is then at hand to judge of variations from the 

 normal. The examination of the faeces 7)f 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 

 is 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. 



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 



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