A bland or non-stimulating diet must be given in the acute stage of angiocholitis. Vomiting is sometimes present, or it may be artificially induced as part of the treatment, so that the stomach is not in a condition to bear solid food. Moreover, much food on entering the duodenum will increase the local inflammation of the common bile duct. Diluted or peptonised milk is to be given, or buttermilk, whey, light meat broths, clam broth, pressed-beef juice, egg albumin.

In a few days, if pain, tenderness, vomiting, and fever subside, the diet is to be slowly increased, and such articles may be added as milk toast, bread and milk, broths and light soups without vegetables, the breast of chicken, oysters, sweetbread, meat jellies. Later, eggs, and boiled or broiled fresh steak may be eaten. Fat and butter should be avoided, and pains should be taken to prevent constipation and putrescence of the intestinal contents.

Fatty, amylaceous, and saccharine food is to be avoided, and for some time after the acute symptoms have subsided the basis of diet should be whitefish, lean meats, and fresh green vegetables.

Cooked fruits, not too sweet, and to which sugar has not been added, such as sour apples, prunes, etc., can be eaten. Considerable fluid should be taken both as a diluent and to promote the action of the kidneys and lessen the tendency to constipation. Water acidulated with lemon juice or effervescent waters (soda water, Seltzer, and Apollinaris) may be drunk three or four times a day between meals. Coffee and tea are allowed only during convalescence.