The dietetic treatment of the different forms of leucocythaemia or leukaemia should be largely conducted along the lines laid down for the anemias. Subjective symptoms are often absent in the early stages of the chronic leukaemias, but in the later stages disturbances are frequent. These take the form of loss of appetite, flatulence, sickness, constipation, which may alternate with diarrhoea, and the passage of ill-formed, foetid stools. Further, the great enlargement of the spleen which is frequently present may mechanically interfere with gastric digestion. As in the case of anemias, it is essential (a) to attend to the toilet of the mouth, getting rid of any septic foci there present, and (b) to avoid constipation by the use of suitable aperients.

In cases not associated with gastric derangement, all that is required is to give the patient a light, nourishing diet; the meals to be simple, not too mixed, not too large, and to be free from all rich and over-stimulating articles of food. Red meats should be given sparingly; farinaceous foods to be restricted in amount; the use of milk, and especially buttermilk, should be encouraged. All meals should be taken at regular intervals, and nothing taken between meals.

In cases associated with derangement of digestion, the diet should be framed exactly along the lines laid down for pernicious anemia on p. 389.