DIET, a course of eating and drink ing, especially when followed with ref erence to hygienic effect. The ideal diet is that which, without burdening the viscera uselessly, furnishes all neces sary nutritive elements, with due con sideration for special physiological con ditions in any given case. No single substance contains all the elements, in their requisite proportions, needed to replace the waste of nitrogenous and non-nitrogenous matter in the daily functions of life, and a mixed diet is therefore necessary.
The nature of the food most suitable for a healthy man is dependent in part on general conditions, such as climate and season, and in part upon special conditions of individual habit. The in habitants of the Arctic regions need large quantities of oleaginous food; those of the tropics live chiefly on starchy products. With increased ac tivity and exertion, as in training, an increase in the nitrogenous foods be comes necessary. In a state of health the quantity rather than the quality of food is the main consideration. Stewed and boiled meats are more difficult to digest than meat cooked by fire alone.
The flesh of young animals seems to be more difficult of digestion than that of old; and the flesh of tame than that of wild animals. All sorts of fat m: at must be taken in smaller quantities. Hence, also, ham, bacon, and salted meats cannot be eaten in such quantities as the tender flesh of poultry. Fish has the advantage of being easily soluble. All boiled vegetables are in general easy of digestion; raw vegetables and salads are more difficult. Fruit should be taken in the forenoon rather than after a hearty meal.
In all diseases attended with fever the stomach loathes animal food, and there is generally an increase of thirst, to quench which cool water, or tepid, or rendered acid, may be freely indulged. Infusions, too, of barley, sage, balm, etc., may be taken. In chronic diseases at tended with hectic fever, milk is the prop er diet. The best food for infants is, of course, their mother's milk; but when they begin to cut teeth a little animal food, such as soft-boiled eggs, or chicken minced very fine, may be given.