Schleicher's Diet For Obesity

Breakfast, 7 A. M

A mutton or veal cutlet or a portion of sole as big as the palm of the hand; the same quantity of bread without butter.

8 A. M

A cup of tea with sugar.

10.30 A. M

A sandwich of bread and meat or sausage.

Noon

Meat, eggs, green vegetables, cheese, an orange. Two glasses of white wine. (No soup, no potatoes).

4 P. M

Tea, with sugar.

7 P. M

A small quantity of bread and cheese.

9 P. M

Cold meat, eggs, salad. Two glasses of wine, and sometimes more.

This is practically the diet of Schweninger, but without the absolute prohibition of drink at meals.

The Germain See System

Germain See, who holds some original theories in regard to dietetics, declares that the use of abundant drink is distinctly indicated in the treatment of obesity. He allows a diet of proteids and fats, withholding sugars and starches, and requires his patients to drink hot weak tea and water in large amount. He prohibits alcohol in every form, excepting a little dilute wine, which may be allowed in exceptional cases. His treatment is no doubt more serviceable in those cases of corpulency which complicate gout and rheumatism and in which, as above mentioned, it is desirable to eliminate the waste matter from the system as completely as possible.

The Weir Mitchell System

Weir Mitchell, for the treatment of obesity, relies mainly on rest and passive exercise in the form of massage and Swedish movements with a skimmed-milk diet, which latter may be given at increasing rate, gradually replacing the accustomed food, until in a week's time the patient is living wholly upon milk. Upon this diet, the patient may lose half a pound or more in weight per diem. Careful watch is kept of the strength. The patient should be frequently examined with special reference to loss of weight and to any unfavourable increase in the heart action or feebleness of the pulse. If the latter conditions arise, it may be necessary to increase the diet or to give stimulation. A small quantity of beef, chicken, or oyster soup is allowed in such cases to relieve the monotony of an exclusive milk diet. The patient is kept quiet in bed for ten days or a fortnight, and afterwards permitted to move about the room, but must spend most of his time upon a lounge. Massage is performed once or twice a day at first, and subsequently the more active Swedish movements are applied to the extremities. After from four to six weeks of this treatment the weight is usually reduced by a number of pounds, and the general condition and strength are found to have improved.

The diet is gradually increased by the addition of lean meats, beef, mutton, poultry, shellfish, and boiled fish. For a long time, however, milk plays an important role, four or five glasses being taken daily.

Weir Mitchell argues that so sudden a loss of weight as occurs in his treatment would be serious were the patient walking about, but when resting quietly in bed the danger of sudden exhaustion of the heart action is reduced to a minimum. His patients bear the treatment fairly well, and are frequently much pleased with the pronounced improvement in appearance and condition which they recognise. The treatment is not adapted to persons leading active lives who are unable to relinquish their business or other duties, for it requires a considerable length of time and the entire abandonment of all labour.