In this disease, whether chronic or acute, the whole system is more or less poisoned, the mucous lining of the stomach is inert and inactive, gastric catarrh is frequently established, and the mucous membranes of the stomach are thickened and hardened. Such lesions as cirrhosis of the liver, kidney complications, thickening of the arterial walls, and a form of bronchitis, may be expected. A bronchial and stomach cough, especially in the early morning, is frequently present, and morning vomitings are to be expected. The intestines may be more or less affected, but as a rule do not share the marked conditions of the stomach.

Acute alcoholism is more easily remedied by diet than is the disease when it has reached the chronic stage.

In mild cases, easily-digested foods are called for, and while it is true highly-seasoned foods increase and keep up the appetite, they are in the end injurious. Of what value is an appetite if the stomach itself has no power to digest the food eaten? Water, water, and plenty of it, is the quickest and safest remedy. Pure water will answer every purpose, but if the patient objects, give him Vichy, Seltzer or Apollinaris at any time during the day or night. Fruit juices, especially orange and apple juice, may be used freely; they allay thirst and the craving for liquor, and give a foundation on which to build a rational diet. Diet must be non-stimulating. A cup of black coffee in the early morning may be followed in an hour by a soft egg, or a glass of buttermilk, or koumys, and in the middle of the morning, fruit juice. If solid foods are admissible, give for dinner a broiled chop or scraped beef cake with a piece of hard, dry toast, well buttered, all to be eaten slowly and thoroughly masticated. Give no liquids with the meal. In two and a half or three hours give more fruit juice and Vichy, or an effervescing water. If there is uneasiness and a desire for alcohol, give liquid foods every two hours; this will prevent the craving. Oysters, tripe, sweetbread, carefully-boiled rice, pulled bread, milk and soda, milk and Vichy, are all to be recommended. In the middle of the afternoon, say four o'clock, give a cup of carefully-made tea, without sugar or cream, or a cup of mate; I find the latter most beneficial in cases of alcoholism; it is not wise, however, to use it more than once a day, and never with meals. The last meal at night should be varied; give leban, buttermilk, eggnog without liquor, albumin and milk, koumys, junket, junket whey. Keep up the variety, it will induce the patient to eat and forget alcohol.

In severe cases, feed every three hours during the day, starting at seven o'clock in the morning. In place of coffee in the early morning, substitute the juice of two oranges, or a grape fruit, or pomegranate. In the middle of the morning substitute for Vichy now and then a lime or lemonade. As soon as possible get rid of condiments, and never begin with rich sauces, or soups, or overseasoned dishes. As the patient progresses, increase the vegetable diet and cut down the animal foods, giving meat but once a day. Well-cooked cereals, with subacid fruits, as baked bananas, stewed prunes, peaches, served with cream; baked potatoes, boiled rice, eggs and milk toast, should form the supper dishes. Where stimulants are called for, tea is frequently borne in the early morning better than coffee. If vomiting occurs, give a cup of very weak tea, or clam broth, or oyster bouillon; later give an egg flip; in two hours a cup of beef tea; the next two hours a cup of peptonized or predigested milk, or a cup of leban or buttermilk; the next two hours, beef juice on a piece of toast; next a cup custard or a cup of Meiggs' food.

Avoid excessive eating at meals, and do not give solid foods between meals.