This is often extremely difficult to arrange. As soon as the temperature falls to normal, the appetite of the patient often becomes voracious. His piteous demands for food are almost irresistible; but they must, notwithstanding, be firmly resisted, for it must be remembered that the intestine is still undergoing the process of ulceration and repair, and that solid food might set up fresh inflammation and cause fatal peritonitis. It is not safe to give any solid food till the temperature has been normal for at least eight days, and in severe cases for a longer period. The return to solid food should be very gradual. The beef-tea or soup can first be taken with fine bread crumb; custards and jellies may then be added; eggs are admissible lightly poached or beaten up in broth, also oysters and boiled fish; sandwiches made of pounded chicken between thin squares of bread may next be attempted, and if no bad consequences result a slice from the breast of a boiled chicken may be eaten; but not until all danger is completely past may the patient enjoy again his mutton chop and rump steak.