I. CLINICAL REPORT
An outbreak of infectious diarrhea of unusual bacterial origin had its inception during the months of February and March of 1930 in the nursery for the new-born of the Michael Reese Hospital. Only three severe cases developed during this period, but early in April the disease began to spread rapidly, and a serious situation ensued which lasted until the middle of June.The diarrhea in itself was not alarming, but the associated constitutional manifestations were extremely severe. The infants presented a picture resembling the "alimentary intoxication" of Finkelstein. Dehydration, stupor, icterus, pallor, toxic facial expression and a temperature ranging from 99 to 103 F. were prominent symptoms. The majority of the babies did not have respiratory complications, but in a few otitis media developed late in the course of the disease and in a small number terminal bronchopneumonia. The response to treatment was unsatisfactory, as evidenced by