Laxative foods include most fruits and vegetables, and cereal foods and breads containing the whole of the cereal grain. Bran is inadvisable if a finer meal will accomplish the result. Continued use of over-coarse foods is unwise.

Hygienic treatment and diet for constipation.

The following treatment is recommended for persons suffering from constipation:

Before breakfast: On rising drink two glasses or water, or take the salt solution suggested on page 459. Take light exercise for several minutes to strengthen the abdominal muscles.

Breakfast: Stewed prunes, or figs, or other fruit; oatmeal, or other whole cereal, and milk; eggs, if desired; graham, or whole wheat, or oatmeal bread; water to drink, if desired.

Between breakfast and lunch or dinner: Soon after breakfast make the beginning of establishing the habit of emptying the intestines daily at this hour. Allow 20 to 30 minutes for this purpose, if necessary. Drink one or two glasses of water. Take a brisk walk.

Dinner: Meat, or meat substitute; potatoes; a liberal serving of boiled onions or cabbage or some succulent vegetable; bread made from whole-cereal meal; two glasses of water to drink; stewed fruit or graham pudding or some fruit dessert.

Between dinner and supper: Drink one or two glasses of water; take some brisk exercise; if hungry, eat some fruit but nothing else.

Lunch or supper: Macaroni and cheese or a cream soup or similar dish; some coarse bread; fruit salad; oatmeal cookies; two glasses of water to drink.

After supper: Allow a short period of brisk exercise; eat an apple, orange, or other fruit, if hungry, but no other food; drink one glass of water during the evening.