Catarrh of the stomach is merely a form of chronic irritation caused by a residue of hydrochloric acid in the stomach following the process of digestion. This condition is augmented by intoxicating and stimulating beverages - tobacco, liquor, beer, tea, coffee; by acids, such as vinegar, lemon, grapefruit, and pineapple juices; by cane-sugar, cereal starches, and meat. The remedy, therefore, is found in eliminating these things, and in confining the diet to the following foods:

All fresh vegetables

Eggs

Green salads

Melon

Milk

Nuts

Subacid fruits

Very tender fish or white meat of fowl - occasionally

Inasmuch as the primary cause of stomach catarrh is supersecretion of hydrochloric acid, an abundance of pure water should be drunk at meals and also between meals.

Breakfast

A cup of hot water

Egg whites, whipped, mixed with lukewarm milk; drink slowly

Drink a cup of hot water about 11 a.m.

Luncheon

A cup of hot water A green salad or one fresh vegetable A new potato, baked; serve with butter Rice, simmered over night; serve with rich milk Half a cup of water at close of meal

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Drink a cup of hot water about 4 p. m.

Dinner

A cup of hot water Two fresh vegetables A new potato, baked Bran gems, with butter An egg, or a very small portion of either tender fish or chicken

Mastication must be perfect. Bread, flour, and cereal products should be omitted, with the exception of a very limited quantity of thoroughly cooked rice and wheat bran.

Sweets, desserts, tea, coffee, all sedative and stimulating beverages, and drugs and narcotics should be omitted.

Water should be drunk copiously both at meals and between meals.

Summer Menu. Stomach And Intestinal Catarrh Breakfast

A bit of subacid or non-acid fruit - pear, peaches, plums, or melon Whipped eggs, using an excess of whites An extremely ripe banana, baked, eaten with very little thin cream

Luncheon

A green salad with nuts

Tender corn or string beans

A baked sweet or a white potato

Dinner

A salad with grated nuts - no dressing

One or two fresh vegetables - corn, peas, beans, carrots

A baked white potato

A whipped egg, or fish, if engaged in manual labor

A very ripe peach or a melon.

Fall Menu. Stomach And Intestinal Catarrh Breakfast

A melon or a very ripe peach Two or three glasses of fresh milk, taken slowly Half a cup of wheat bran, cooked

Luncheon

A very small portion of green salad, with grated nuts Tender corn, lima beans, or lentils

Dinner

A green salad, with grated nuts Stewed pumpkin or squash Corn, carrots, or parsnips A baked potato or baked beans

Winter Menu. Stomach And Intestinal Catarrh

Breakfast

A pint of junket One whipped egg

Luncheon

Vegetable soup

Boiled onions, carrots, or turnips

An egg or a small portion of tender fish

A baked potato

Dinner

Choice of the following cooked in a *casserole dish: a Cauliflower, cabbage, or Brussels sprouts b Carrots, parsnips, or turnips

A baked potato

A vegetable salad with ripe olives and nuts

*For cooking en casserole, see p. 671.