, certain drugs, ptomaines,
bad hygiene, polluted water or milk, and by overeating. Idiosyncrasies
against certain kinds of food have been found in both adults and
children; these idiosyncrasies are manifested by pain and diarrhea
whenever the offending foods have been eaten. Acute diarrhea has also
been brought on in children by the drinking of cold lemonade when
over-heated.

~Diarrhea in Children.~--All diarrheas in children, and especially
those developing during the hot months, must be looked on with
suspicion and given immediate attention before they have an
opportunity to develop serious features which may terminate in death
before the seriousness of the condition is realized.

As a rule, almost any diarrhea in children will raise the temperature.
This does not occur so often with adults unless the diarrhea results
from infectious fevers, ptomaines, etc., in which case it may rise
suddenly and to a considerable height.

ACUTE ENTERITIS (DIARRHEA)

~The Bowels.~--The symptoms of this condition are too liquid or too
frequent stools, the number varying from three to twelve or more a
day. They may be greenish yellow in color and contain particles of
undigested food and mucus. In prolonged diarrheal attacks the stools
sometimes contain blood.

The attack may be accompanied by more or less pain of a colicky
nature, due to the formation of gas in the intestinal tract. In
ptomaine poisoning this pain is sometimes very intense. As a rule the
intestinal tract is emptied by means of salt, oil, etc., but this is
generally directed by the physician. A soapsuds or salts and glycerin
enema to flush the colon will often give quick relief by dispelling
the gas.

~Starvation.~--The entire digestive tract requires absolute rest for a
certain period; no food and very little water, the latter in the form
of bits of ice only, are given for a period lasting from twelve to
thirty-six hours or more, depending upon the violence of the attack
and the condition of the patient. This is to allow the toxic
substances which are probably causing the disturbance to pass out of
the body, either in the feces or in the urine. When the acute symptoms
subside, that is, when the pain and distention of the intestines have
disappeared, and the bowel movements become more normal in number and
character, the dietetic treatment suitable to the condition is
instituted.

~Dietetic Treatment.~--The first day the patient is given a small cup
of wea