Weir-Mitchell Method

WEIR-MITCHELL METHOD (Weir-Mitchell, more correctly, Weir-Mitchell), a method for treating neuroses that have developed on the basis of general exhaustion of the body, consists of dietary refeeding; the quantity and quality of food are chosen so that, with the least burden on the stomach, the number of calories almost doubles the daily requirement needed only to maintain body composition (30 calories per kg of weight). The basis of the diet is milk (up to 3 liters per day), sometimes replaced by kefir and soured milk; followed by butter, eggs, and carbohydrate foods (buns, crackers, biscuits, sugar, chocolate, oat cocoa, etc.); meat comes last (during the first two weeks no more than 100 grams per day, and subsequently up to 400 grams). Food is taken 6 to 9 times a day. For exhaustion neuroses, bed rest is indicated for the first two weeks; it must be borne in mind, however, that absolute physical and mental rest can act depressingly on appetite, on nutrition of the muscles, and reduces the need for sleep; therefore, light massage, faradization of muscles, passive gymnastics, and warm baths are recommended.