Gastro-intestinal allergy—a review of 134 cases

From a review of 134 cases of gastro-intestinal allergy, we have presented the observations made in fifty cases in whom this diagnosis was of major significance.

The symptom-complex described by the common term “indigestion” conformed in general with that reported by other allergists.

Cabbage was the most frequently incriminated food. We were able to substantiate the findings of other allergists that milk, beans, eggs, chocolate and wheat were frequent offenders. We confirmed these suspicions by skin tests in 40 per cent of the cases. We feel that skin tests continue to be of importance in solving the diagnostic problem of these patients.

A high percentage of the cases had an associated gastro-intestinal diagnosis, either organic or functional in nature.

Ninety per cent of this group had associated allergic manifestations.

A family history of allergy was elicited in 84 per cent of the patients.