Kinds Of Invalid Diet

In the feeding of in-valids there are four grades of diet recognized, besides the so-called special or restricted diets which are required in dealing with such diseases as diabetes, various forms of digestive diseases, and others in which the diet is the most important fea-ture of the treatment.

1. Fluid or liquid diet.

2. Semi-solid diet.

3. Light diet.

4. Regular or "full" diet.

Fluid Diet

For patients on fluid or liquid diets,-such foods as the following, are included: beef-tea, beef-juice, chicken broth, mutton broth, gelatine ice cream, and water ices, barley water, cocoa, albumen water, certain forms of strained gruel, buttermilk, and milk served in its natural state, or in its almost numberless combinations that vary the flavor.

Semi-Solid Diet

For patients on semi-solid diet, such foods are suitable as oatmeal gruel, or well cooked cereals, custards, egg nogs, blanc mange, rice, tapioca, sago, prune or apple whips, milk-toast, soft-boiled eggs and bread and milk - these in addition to the foods mentioned in the liquid diet list.

Light Diet

For patients on light diet such additions are made as bread, crackers, toasts, some fruits, certain kinds of fish such as oysters, clams, and the white-fleshed fishes, poultry, and game, all meals being served in small quantities.

Regular diet may include any of the above ar-ticles with beef, mutton and other meats added, certain vegetables, and all fruits.

Always prepare food for the sick in the neatest and most careful manner. In sickness the senses are unusually acute, and far more susceptible to-carelessness, negligence, and mistakes in the pre-paration and serving of food than when in health.

Corn Meal Gruel

Mix 1 tablespoonful corn meal, 1/2 teaspoonful salt, and 2 tablespoonfuls cold water. Add 1 pint boiling water, simmer slowly 1 hour. In serving bowl put 2 tablespoonfuls cream, 1 lump sugar, strain in gruel, stir for a mo-ment and serve.

Flour and arrowroot gruel is made in the same way, but cooked only 10 minutes.

Farina gruel is made with milk and cooked 1 hour in a double boiler.

Boil oatmeal gruel 1 hour and strain.

Barley Water

Wash 2 tablespoonfuls pearl barley, scald with boiling water, boil 5 minutes, Strain. Add 2 quarts cold water, simmer till re-duced 1/2.. Strain, add lemon juice to taste. Good in fevers.

Beef Tea

Chop very fine 1 pound lean beef round. Cover with 1/2 pint cold water. Stand in cold place 1 hour. Set over hot water, stir till liquid Begins to turn color. Strain, add pinch salt. To reheat, set cup in pan of hot water.

Sunshine Orange

Soak an orange in hot water for half an hour or so, until it is heated to the core. The skin will loosen and come off like a glove, and the pulp will be sweet with the sweetness that comes, not from the sugar, but from the sun.

Fireless Cooker