200 THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 



somewhat nauseous taste. When not readily taken internally it may be well 

 rubbed into the chest and back before the fire every night and morning. In this 

 way about two ounces will be consumed in the course of the week. The oil can 

 do no harm, and is well worth trying when the patient is making no progress, 

 and other remedies have failed. 



The diet of the consumptive should be simple and nutritious ; very strict rules 

 as to special articles of diet are uncalled for, unless the stomach should have 

 exhibited signs of imperfect power. Meat should be taken once or twice a day, with 

 a good allowance of fat. Fish is nutritious, especially oysters. Milk is very nourish- 

 ing, and two or three pints may be taken in the course of the day. At the Hospital 

 for Consumption at Brompton many of the patients have a glass of rum and milk 

 the first thing in the morning before breakfast, to help them to dress, and un- 

 doubtedly it often does good. Asses' milk may be taken when ordinary milk dis- 

 agrees. Another favourite prescription is fat bacon for breakfast. Sugar is very 

 fattening, and there is no objection to taking it, even in considerable quantities. A 

 moderate allowance of wine or spirits is advisable; but it should be taken with 

 caution when it flushes the face or quickens the pulse. 



Raw meat is very useful in consumption, especially when the appetite is bad, 

 or the digestive powers are failing. It sounds very nasty, but is not so in 

 reality. What you have to do is this : You get about half a pound of rump- 

 steak it must be quite fresh and then cut away the fat and gristle and tendon, 

 if there should be any. Then you get the pudding-board and a sharp knife, and 

 scrape the meat into a pulp. It is rather hard work, and makes your arms ache, 

 but you must not mind that. As you scrape off the meat you will look out for 

 the little white pieces of tendon, and carefully remove them. It is very nasty if 

 it is stringy. Now put your pulp into a mortar, and bruise it well -for a few 

 minutes. Next spread it out between pieces of bread-and-butter, and let your 

 patient eat it as a sandwich. It is more palatable if you add a little pepper and 

 salt. Some people like a little butter with it ; it removes to some extent the nasty 

 red colour, but it rather increases the difficulty of digestion. The addition of a 

 little mace and allspice is a decided improvement. It is an advantage, too, to vary 

 the flavour from time to time. When the patient cannot take it in the form of 

 sandwich, it may be mixed up with soup and taken that way. 



Moderate and frequent exercise in the open air is essential. An old writer says : 

 " Bark is no surer cure for ague than riding is for phthisis." This is not literally 

 true, but still the opinion is worth quoting. Walking is capital exercise, and swing- 

 ing on a horizontal bar is frequently beneficial. Gentle gymnastic exercise the 

 so-called musical gymnastics more particularly and the use of light dumb-bells, do 

 much to expand the chest and strengthen the lungs. So, too, does the practice of 

 taking deep inspirations, of reading aloud, and of moderate singing. For those who 

 are rapidly exhausted, and too weak to get about much, passive exercise in a carriage 

 or boat must be enjoined. In summer, sitting or lying well supported in a boat pulled 

 on a Highland lake while for occupation reading mixed with a little fishing, and the 

 conversation of a pleasant companion, the varying tints and outlines of the landscape 

 also serving occasionally to occupy the attention is perhaps the most salubrious 



