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Dietetics in Tuberculosis: Principles and Economics.* 
By Nor, DEAN BaRDSWELL, M.D., M.R.C.P., F.R.S. (Hdin.), Medical Super- 
intendent, King Edward VII Sanatorium, and JoHN ELLIS CHAPMAN, 
M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., Medical Superintendent, Coppin’s Green Sanatorium. 
(Communicated by Sir T. Clifford Allbutt, K.C.B., F.R.S. Received 
November 26, 1907,—Read January 23, 1908.) 
Object of Research.—The object of our research was to obtain reliable data 
upon which to draw conclusions as to the best lines upon which to base the 
dietetic treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. In 1899, when this work was 
first commenced, the sanatorium treatment of consumption and other forms 
of tuberculosis was rapidly becoming adopted in this country. One of the 
most noteworthy features of this treatment was the systematic prescription 
of diets of a very high nutritive value. In the absence of any reliable 
authorities on the dietetics of tuberculosis, the practice of giving very large 
diets became very general, in spite of warnings from physiologists that such 
a method of treatment was probably unsound. Some preliminary observa- 
tions, which we made at Sheffield Royal Infirmary in 1899 upon the metabolism 
of several consumptive patients treated on very large diets, suggested to us 
that an extended series of such observations might enable us to place the 
dieting of tuberculosis upon a more scientific foundation. Our series of 
observations has extended over seven years, and this paper represents 
an abstract of our final report. 
Research 1. 
We hoped, as a result of our first series of observations, to establish :— 
(1) The best general principles upon which to construct diets for the 
treatment of tuberculosis. 
(2) A standard diet in terms of proteid, fat, carbohydrate, and total calorie 
value for the treatment of tuberculosis. 
Method of Observation—The progress made by 200 cases of pulmonary 
tuberculosis, representing well-marked stages of the diseases, were carefully 
observed whilst treated on definite diets, the general lines of treatment being 
the same in every case. 
* Towards the expenses of this research, the authors, on the recommendation of the 
Royal Society, were given a Government Grant. This paper is a Summary of the Final 
Report ; the full Report will be published shortly by the Oxford University Press. 
