About two years ago in comparing some then recent clinical experiences, we were struck by the apparent frequency with which the eruption of infantile eczema was associated with a disturbed digestion in a series of cases. From the dermatologic point of view this association was so common as even to suggest at first thought that the digestive disturbance was always present. Reflection soon showed the fallacy of the idea, as, however frequently this double condition might be encountered by the dermatologist, the pediatrist's experience proved beyond question that there are many more children without eczema than with it, even in the presence of pronounced digestive disturbances. The conclusion is unavoidable that the digestive disturbance, even in the eczematous individual, must be regarded merely as an intermediate or contributing factor in the production of the cutaneous manifestations. This preliminary report of our investigations, which is offered for your discussion, deals then