The faeces of children and adults : their examination and diagnostic significance with indications for treatment / by P.J. Cammidge.

  • Cammidge, P. J. (Percy John), 1872-
Date:
1914
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The faeces of children and adults : their examination and diagnostic significance with indications for treatment / by P.J. Cammidge. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    like marmalade, they contain indigestible irritating particles and also a high proportion of sugar, being thus both mechanical and chemical stimulants. For elderly people, and those suffering from heart or vascular disease, nephritis, and faulty metabolism generally, thoroughly cooked fruits, or even the juices alone, give better results than raw fruits. Each patient must be studied with reference to his tolerance for carbohydrates and fats, and until the constipation yields they should be cautiously increased, remember- ing that one form of vegetable food, like one form of fat, may give better results than another. It is always advisable to allow the patient a large choice, emphasizing those substances which it is most necessary for him to take. Only in this way can monotony in the diet be avoided and the best results be obtained (see Appendix). . It is most'important that patients suffering from constipation should consume each day a sufhcient amount of fluid. Cold car- bonated water taken on an empty stomach is a powerful stimulant of peristalsis, and half a pint should be prescribed every night and morning Salt added to the food, or used in cooking, as well as that contained in the meat and vegetables themselves, tends to mcrease the water in the intestinal contents, and by exciting thirst also causes the patient to drink more fluid. Provided that a reason- able amount of vegetables and fruit is taken, about two and a half pints of fluid a day are usually sufhcient. Chronic gastritis and some other chronic digestive disorders are apt to be associated with constipation, and m these, as also m slasUc constipation, it might be assumed that benefit would arise from the use of a diet containing much cellulose ; but considerable harm may be done by such a hne of treatment. Vegetables and fruits which contain quantities of cellulose, seeds, or coarse skins, must be avoided. Asparagus tips, well-cooked spinach, celery or cauliflower may be given, also well-stewed fruits, depnved of thei skins seeds etc., fruit-juices, or seedless ]ams. By this mean, peristalsis can be stimulated chemically and without any irritation^ Only white bread should be allowed, and greasy foods excepting butter cream, and in some cases fat bacon, should be avoided. To Tmprove the general health, which is usually poor proteins should be given freely, avoiding, however, gristle, much fat and foods such as pork, duck, goose, veal, /^^^^ '^^^^' meats, etc., that are only digested with difi^culty. j^^k^ eg.s and Heht non-fatty fish should be prescribed largely, and ma> be given I'th Tdfantl^ in quantities above the protein requirement in health.