In children, allergic disturbances of the respiratory tract are exceedingly frequent. It is probable that protein sensitization is at the basis of most recurrent head colds and of bronchitis, especially those which start without fever. Children who are sneezers, or who have wet noses continually, or who develop coryza or deep cough on the slightest provocation, usually are allergic subjects. It is well recognized that allergy causes hay-fever and asthma. In fact, as a general cause for illness in childhood, we agree with Shannon, who feels that allergy ranks next to infection, and that much infection is secondary to allergic congestion of the mucous membranes.
Bronchial asthma is the most serious of all respiratory disturbances due to allergy. Asthma is frequent in childhood, and is often mistaken for bronchitis or pneumonia. Such failure to recognize asthma endangers the life of the child because of the liability to repeated secondary infections