Ether, much more than chloroform, is apt to occasion prolonged nausea and vomiting after its administration has ceased, and this may last in very susceptible persons for a day or two. In all cases where ether is employed to produce profound narcosis, even when only used to assist physical examinations for diagnostic purposes, it is well that caution should be observed for some hours afterwards in giving food, and a light fluid diet of milk, beef tea, or a cup of cocoa, tea, or coffee only should be allowed when any tendency to nausea or vomiting exists. Under ordinary circumstances no food is required until the effects of the anaesthetic have mainly passed off, and with continued gastric irritation it is necessary to confine the patient to a fluid diet for twenty-four hours or more, and give but little of that. If the patient has been much exhausted by haemorrhage during the operation or by prolonged anaesthesia, nourishment may be sometimes given sooner, but in concentrated predigested form. Brandy and soda is useful under these conditions, and often allays gastric irritation. Very hot water is to be recommended for the same purpose.

In cases of laparotomy for operations upon any part of the alimentary canal, such as appendicitis, it may prove best to give the digestive organs entire physiological rest for twenty-four hours at least, but if the patient is in need of nourishment one or two food enemata may be given.

The following schedule of diet for the day may be taken as an example for an ordinary operation under anaesthesia:

7 A. M

A cup of beef tea, coffee, or cocoa, or a cup of bread and milk.

11 A. M

Anaesthesia and operation.

3 P. M

Iced milk and Vichy, beef essence, or peptonoids. If vomiting occurs, give hot water, or half an ounce of brandy with soda.

7 P. M

Bread and milk, or beef jelly, or cocoa and a biscuit. Nothing more until the next day, when, if there are no special reasons to the contrary from existing disease or complications arising from the operation, the patient's previous customary diet may be gradually resumed.