INFECTIONS OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT 327 



operative in bringing about the removal of too much 

 alkali from the body, thus favoring a degree of acidosis. 

 Among mechanical factors one has to consider mainly 

 the consistence of food. The use of raw apples, of un- 

 cooked celery, and of spinach, and the use of salads may 

 be detrimental for purely mechanical reasons. Some- 

 times the detrimental effect shows itself in the produc- 

 tion of colic, in other cases it is manifested by an undue re- 

 tention of the food within the stomach, where it excites 

 discomfort. It has been already stated that there are 

 long-standing cases of excessive intestinal putrefaction 

 in which there is evidence of an abnormal sensitiveness 

 of the partially denuded mucous membrane. In cases 

 where the stomach is sensitive even to the presence of 

 moderate quantities of food that has been carefully 

 masticated, it is desirable to use a demulcent (such as 

 flaxseed tea) before meals. This is often a highly effi- 

 cient measure in allaying gastric tenderness. It may be 

 desirable to give a demulcent drink before each meal 

 during a long period of time. 



It is obvious that in order to secure the best possible 

 conditions of resorption from the small intestine it is 

 important not to permit the consumption of excessive 

 quantities of food. This is especially important in the 

 case of proteids, particularly those of meat and milk. 

 The use of an excessive quantity of meat frequently 

 goes hand in hand with imperfect mastication. The 

 result is that many masses of muscle fiber find their way 

 through the small intestine into the lower ileum and 

 large intestine, where they are attacked by putrefac- 



