Although the subject of protein hypersensitiveness is a comparatively recent one, a great deal of literature has been published on its various aspects in the past few years. Many writers, among them Baker1 and Peshkin and Rost,2 have studied the frequency of the sensitization of the skin in normal persons. Schloss and Walker have also added to our much clearer understanding of the peculiar condition found only in certain persons. O'Keefe,3 White,4 Blackfan5 and Baker1 also, have made special studies on children with allergic symptoms. Nevertheless, despite all this literature, the use of the cutaneous test as an aid in diagnosis and treatment by pediatrists is still very limited, largely because of a skepticism as to the value of the results secured by this means.
The present study of sixty-one infants and children with eczema and asthma was made to show, if possible, to