Note 536 — ON REGIMEN IN ACUTE DISEASES.

The question here mooted is certainly one of the most important that can well be entertained, namely, whether or not a certain portion of nutriment ought to be given to persons laboring under fever. It would appear, from what is stated by Galen upon the authority of Erasistratus, that the most diametrically opposite modes of practice had been followed by different individuals—that some had starved their patients altogether for a considerable time; whereas, on the other hand, a physician of the name of Petronas allowed his patients flesh and wine. Our author, it will be remarked, does not allude to these extreme modes of practice in this place, but enters at great length into the question whether or not unstrained ptisan (or barley gruel) should be administered in fevers, and, if so, under what circumstances.