Allen’s “starvation treatment” was widely considered the best therapy (dietary or otherwise) until the discovery of insulin in 1921. This diet was very low in calories (800 per day) and very restricted in carbohydrates (less than 10 grams per day). Patients were admitted to hospital and treated with whiskey and black coffee every two hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; they abstained from all other foods. (It’s unclear why Dr. Allen thought whiskey was necessary.)
