Infantilism from Chronic Intestinal Infection.

Abstract

The fruitful results of the combination of clinical observation, chemical and bacteriologic research make this monograph an epoch-marking if not epoch-making work. The labors of the chemist and the bacteriologist in the study of the feces have long been of great interest from a scientific viewpoint, but gave little indication of leading to important practical results. But in this study of infantilism Dr. Herter has shown how they can be used to solve a problem in clinical medicine which otherwise would have long remained unsolved and which is of the greatest importance in the development of many individuals. The book shows also how much can be accomplished by the careful and persistent study of a few— in this instance five—cases. The patients were children whose growth was checked by intestinal digestive disorder. Dr. Herter notes an intolerance of carbohydrates and the study of fecal flora shows that the normal Gram-negative