In Reply.—In 26 years of practice during which I have seen many children with abdominal pain and the so-called tension-fatigue syndrome (headaches, infraorbital circles, limb pain, and so forth), I have yet to substantiate "milk allergy" as the basis for the complaints. Although a large body of empirical information repeatedly emphasizes the importance of milk allergy, I believe that we in the medical profession should take a firm stand against such empiricism by demanding carefully controlled studies of the problem.
Recently at our institution, Charles D. May, MD, presented his views about food allergy. He stated, "Proof that a food causes an adverse reaction and that the manifestations are not psychologic in origin is obtained with a food challenge."1 Only patients with symptoms suggesting an anaphylactic reaction need not undergo a double-blind challenge. In cases of suspected food allergy, May demands that the offending food be placed in