Dietetic Treatment

The dietetic treatment of appendicitis, which has not yet passed into the surgeon's hands, should consist in giving only such foods as will be thoroughly absorbed, leaving as little residue as possible to irritate the lower bowel and excite peristalsis.

Until the outcome of the attack is decided it is best to put the patient upon a fluid diet, consisting chiefly of nutritive broths. Beaten eggs may be allowed, and a moderate quantity of pancreatinised milk, whey, or buttermilk. Cocoa may be given, and strained gruels of rice and barley.

In recurrent cases the patient should be cautioned to eat moderately and avoid all coarse or hard food, such as grits, coarse oatmeal, tough meats, fibrous vegetables, the skin of fruits or potatoes - in short, everything likely to overload the intestine with accumulated waste.

The operative cases should have the diet recommended after laparotomy. Usually the digestive organs require almost absolute rest for twenty-four hours after the operation, and hot water may be sipped. No food at all should be given for fully six hours before operation.

1W. Oilman Thompson, M.D.: " Practical Dietetics." New York. D. Appleton & Co.