Although English physicians lack experience in the intensely restrictive measures advocated by Schroth, they are well acquainted with the utility of the reduction in the amount of fluids for the cure of many diseased conditions. Doubtless the practice has been adopted in most cases more from a common-sense point of view than from any clear conception of the physiological principles involved, and for this reason has been, after a period of experimentation, discarded, or in any case decidedly modified.

Tufnel's Diet

The best example of intense limitation of the ingesta is that associated with Tufnel's name, and employed in the treatment of aneurism under the mistaken notion that it tended to increase the coagulation of the blood. His prescription runs thus: Breakfast - 2 ounces of bread and butter, 2 ounces of milk. Dinner - 2 or 3 ounces of bread and butter with the same quantity of meat, and 2 to 4 ounces of milk or claret. Supper - 2 ounces of bread and 2 ounces of milk.

No one to-day would dream of insisting upon such an attenuated diet list, for, apart from the fact that it is now known that restriction of diet lessens the coagulability of the blood, it is positive cruelty to make such harassing demands on the self-control and fortitude of the victim of such a deadly ailment - for be it noted that it is only in inoperable cases that such a menu would be prescribed. Complete abstinence from stimulating foods and drinks, and the limitation of the meals to the lowest point consistent with removing the pangs of hunger and thirst, are all that can be reasonably expected of any subject of aneurism.

Dry Diet In Dilated Stomach

Cases of gastrectasis and atonic dilatation of the stomach form a more legitimate field for the employment of a dry diet. Whenever the musculature of the stomach is weakened, the greater curvature is stretched to a point considerably below the level of the pylorus, and ingesta of an innutritious character act only as an incubus, and prevent the speedy evacuation of the gastric contents. Four small meals of highly nourishing solid food, most carefully masticated and without any admixture of sloppy food or liquids in any form, answer the requirements of most cases of the kind mentioned. Quite a usual practice amongst vegetarians in cases of dilated stomach is to prescribe only two meals per day, one at 8 a.m. and the other about 3 p.m., and I have examined several cases which were stated to have been cured by this method.