Dietetics in tuberculosis: Principles and economics

Abstract

Object of Research .—The object of our research was to obtain reliable data upon which to draw conclusions as to the best lines upon which to base the dietetic treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. In 1899, when this work was first commenced, the sanatorium treatment of consumption and other forms of tuberculosis was rapidly becoming adopted in this country. One of the most noteworthy features of this treatment was the systematic prescription of diets of a very high nutritive value. In the absence of any reliable authorities on the dietetics of tuberculosis, the practice of giving very large diets became very general, in spite of warnings from physiologists that such a method of treatment was probably unsound. Some preliminary observations, which we made at Sheffield Royal Infirmary in 1899 upon the metabolism of several consumptive patients treated on very large diets, suggested to us that an extended series of such observations might enable us to place the dieting of tuberculosis upon a more scientific foundation. Our series of observations has extended over seven years, and this paper represents an abstract of our final report. Research 1. We hoped, as a result of our first series of observations. to establish:— (1) The best general principles upon which to construct diets for the treatment of tuberculosis. (2) A standard diet in terms of proteid, fat, carbohydrate, and total calorie value for the treatment of tuberculosis.