Definition

This is a chronic disease of the mucous membrane lining the nose, accompanied by gastric symptoms on the order of chronic subacute gastritis. The general opinion today appears to be that the disease is caused by the pollen of certain grasses and plants, also dust, irritating the mucous membrane. The very latest cure is an infusion made from pollen, etc. But those who would like to get well should understand the etiology. It is chronic catarrh, with chronic irritation of the stomach. Hearty eating--eating heating foods, such as starch, sugar, and fats, beyond the system's need--produces such a sensitive state of the mucus membrane of the nose and stomach that, when the atmosphere is filled with dust and pollen, those who have the disease highly developed suffer a great deal. In fact, any fine particles of dust drawn into the nose with the air will make the hay fever subject very uncomfortable. These patients catch cold frequently in the winter as well as in the summer.

Treatment

Stop all food and drink hot water freely until the patient is entirely relieved. Then it would be proper to keep away from food until the subject can go out in the weeds and be free from suffering, even though he breathes the dust from the grasses. Then he should have fruit twice a day--morning and noon. In the evening he may have a little lamb, chicken, fish, or eggs, with a combination salad and one or two cooked, non-starchy vegetables. The meat dinners may be taken about every other day; the alternate days any of the decidedly starchy foods may be taken, with cooked, non-starchy vegetables and a salad. This style of eating should be adhered to until the frost comes. A complete fast right at the start of the symptoms will soon bring relief. Those who have eaten meat twice or three times a day will do best to go entirely without meat until health is restored. Those subject to this condition should never use much carbohydrate food, and should shun sweets of all kinds.