r if the illness causes increased tissue
waste. Yet the digestive process of a sick person must be rendered as
little laborious as possible, all foods ordinarily difficult to digest
must be eliminated, certain others must be withheld or restricted
according to the nature of the sickness, and in addition one may have to
deal with an appetite that is capricious, diminished, or totally absent.

Diet for the sick is often a part of medical treatment; in such cases
the doctor will prescribe special diets and his orders must be carefully
carried out. Except for special diets, food for the sick is generally
divided into four classes: first, liquid or fluid diet; second,
semi-solid diet; third, light or convalescent diet; and lastly, full
diet. These diets are not very sharply distinguished.

LIQUID DIET generally includes milk, eggnog, albumen water, broths,
soup, beef juice, thin gruel, and beverages. Liquid diet makes least
demand upon the digestive powers, because it consists of food already
dissolved and therefore nearer the condition in which it can be
absorbed. Moreover, it is less likely than other foods to contain excess
of fat, improperly cooked starches, and other indigestible material.
Liquids must be given at regular intervals and at shorter intervals than
solid foods; 6 to 8 ounces every two or three hours is not too much if
the patient can take it. The doctor usually specifies the amount and the
interval. Some patients will take more nourishment at one time if the
interval is slightly increased.

SEMI-SOLID DIET includes all fluids and in addition soft milk toast,
soft cooked eggs, well cooked cereal, custards, ice cream and ices,
junket, and gelatine jellies. Liquid or semi-solid diet is commonly
given in acute fevers because digestive juices and other fluids of the
body are then diminished, and also because their digestion places a
minimum of work upon a system already burdened with bacterial poisons.

LIGHT OR CONVALESCENT DIET generally means a simple mixed diet. In
addition to the articles in the two preceding diets it includes oysters,
chicken, baked potatoes, most fruits except bananas, simple desserts,
white fish, and other meats and vegetables added judiciously until full
diet is reached. Fried foods should not be included.

FULL DIET means an unrestricted menu, but even from full diets
especially indigestible foods should be excluded. The principles of
feeding sedentary persons as described in manua