An Introduction to the Study of the Infant's Stool.

The examination of the stool has always been recognized as a valuable aid in the diagnosis of digestive disorders, and as an indication which should govern therapeutic measures. Experience is showing more and more that success in treatment of digestive disorders depends very largely on perceiving what form of aliment is imperfectly digested and regulating the diet accordingly. The increased definiteness in the conclusions to be drawn from an inspection of the stools is due not so much to perfection of new methods of examination as to the more accurate knowledge of digestion and the recognition that the different forms of indigestion affecting the different classes of food are recognizable by the food remnants that can be seen in the feces. The examination is practically confined to an inspection with the unaided eye, a very simple microscopic examination and to taking the reaction. The study of the infant's stool forms