at a normal
rate of speed, thus giving rise to a fermentation of the food and a
consequent dilatation of the organ from the gas thus produced.

~Other Factors.~--Lack of fresh air and exercise, indoor occupation,
bad hygiene, unsanitary surroundings, heredity, certain diseases which
are accompanied by gastric disorders.

~Diseases of Gastric Organ.~--Acute and Chronic Gastritis,
Gastric-Ulceration, Gastric Cancer.

~Treatment.~--Tests--Test meals, X-Ray examinations (pictures and
Fluoroscope). Patient is given no breakfast on day of test. In X-Ray
laboratory a bismuth or barium meal is given, this meal consists of a
pint of fluid, either buttermilk or malted milk, into which a certain
amount of bismuth or barium chloride is mixed.

~Starvation Period.~--A period of abstinence from food is instituted
in most of the gastric disorders, (a) to determine the extent and
character of the disease, (b) to rest the digestive tract.

~Dietetic Treatment.~--Diet adjusted to meet the needs of the
individual case as determined by the medical examination.

~Instruction to Patient.~--Individual warned against overeating,
drinking and constipation.

PROBLEMS

(a) Formulate a diet order for a patient suffering from chronic
gastritis. (Individual's food requirements must be observed.)

(b) Formulate a diet for gastric ulceration. List the available foods;
the avoidable foods.

(c) Outline a diet to be used in case of gastric cancer; show how it
differs from the one used in gastric ulceration.

FOOTNOTES:

[92] It is also customary to give the patient a bismuth or barium meal
in order that an X-ray and fluoroscopic examination may be made to
determine the character and extent of the disturbance.

[93] "Diseases of the Stomach," by Boas.

CHAPTER XII

DISEASES OF THE INTESTINAL TRACT

ACUTE AND CHRONIC DIARRHEA (CATARRH), ENTEROCOLITIS, DYSENTERY,
CONSTIPATION, APPENDICITIS, CHRONIC CONSTIPATION, AUTO-INTOXICATION

Diarrhea, like gastritis, may be a symptom of many diseases and a
result of many digestional disturbances. Enteritis, enterocolitis,
dysentery, typhoid fever, and certain cases of tuberculosis and
syphilis are all accompanied by an inflamed condition of the mucous
lining of the intestinal walls, and in each of these pathological
conditions we may find diarrhea as a resulting symptom.

~Causes.~--Diarrhea may be acute or chronic in character. It may be
brought on by errors in diet, warm weather