It is a well-known fact that a large quantity of foods rich in protein throws undue work on the kidneys, and the poisons retained greatly influence the composition of the urine. Kidney troubles usually come to men who have passed forty-five or fifty, those individuals who eat meat three times a day "to keep up their strength." Diseases caused by incorrect diet are greatly modified by correct diet. In most of these troubles a skimmed milk diet is to be recommended. Large quantities of water are advantageous. If the patient will not take plain water, buy a good spring water and use it plentifully. I have observed that the sick feel that a bottled water purchased at a drug store has a greater curative power than a good cool, soft water drawn from their own spigot or spring.

In many of these diseases, after a cure has been effected, a simple vegetable diet will enable the person to live comfortably for many years. All meats must be permanently given up. Sugars and starches must be limited.

Alcoholic and malt liquors are injurious. The diet must be composed largely of fruits, green vegetables, milk and milk preparations. Oranges, grape fruit and lemonade without sugar are frequently beneficial. Strange as it may seem, the fruits that contain organic acids frequently by virtue of their salts, promote alkalinity of the blood and urine. Such green vegetables as spinach, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, savoy, onions, string beans, lettuce, endive, celery, young turnips, and very young carrots, are admissible.

There is a great variety of opinions regarding asparagus. Some physicians order it frequently for urinary troubles, others condemn it. One writer claims that the peculiar odor that is noticed after even a small quantity of asparagus is eaten, is due to an oil rich in sulphur, which is in some way digested or converted in the intestines, and has nothing whatever to do with the kidney action.

The most common of these diseases will be treated under their special headings.