The use of so-called nonallergic diets has a definite place in pediatric work. Specialists in allergic disorders are well aware of the fact that positive reactions to scratch tests or intracutaneous tests may indicate sensitivity that has ceased to exist clinically or may be the expression of local irritation. On the other hand, negative reactions to food often exist with clinical sensitivity. The latter phenomenon is explained by certain allergists as occurring primarily in those cases in which clinical reactivity follows by a relatively prolonged latent interval exposure to the offending substance. Whatever the explanation of these disconcerting events, the indication for the use of trial diets is apparent and has been stressed by Rowe,1 Hopkins, Waters and Kesten2 and Waters.3 The efficacy of the correctly selected diet is attested by these authors' reports of numerous therapeutic successes.
A thorough knowledge of the various ingredients of common