The artificial provision of nutrition and hydration to those with end-stage malignant disease is addressed. The physiology of cancer is investigated and is found to render such treatment futile in many instances. An analysis of the sociology of food, and the role of gender in its provision is discussed, and placed in the social milieu of the acute hospital, where there is to be found a cultural replication of the family. It is hypothesized that it is the synthesis of the powerful symbols of food and family that is at the root of behaviour in this area. Implications for patients and caregivers are explored.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	physiology of cancer, sociology of food, social/gender relations in hospital
Research Division:	Medical and Health Sciences
Research Group:	Nursing
Research Field:	Clinical Nursing: Secondary (Acute Care)
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding Knowledge in the Medical and Health Sciences
UTAS Author:	McInerney, F (Professor Fran McInerney)
ID Code:	95532
Year Published:	1992
Web of Science® Times Cited:	28
Deposited By:	Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre
Deposited On:	2014-10-03
Last Modified:	2017-12-08
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