THE INFLUENCE OF LACTOSE ON THE METABOLISM OF AN INFANT

Abstract

As there are very few metabolism experiments which throw much light on the digestion of sugar and its effect on the digestion and absorption of the other food components, the following investigation was undertaken to increase our knowledge of this phase of the subject. J. P. entered the Massachusetts General Hospital, Sept. 12, 1913, at the age of 5 months. The family history was negative. The baby was born prematurely at seven months, April 11, 1913, weighing 4½ pounds, (2.05 kg.). He was never breast-fed and had been given condensed milk or modified milk with proprietary foods containing maltose and had never thrived. During July he had cholera infantum. He entered the Boston Floating Hospital, Aug. 14, 1913, where he remained until he was transferred to the Massachusetts General Hospital, one month later (Sept. 12, 1913), at which time he weighed 9 pounds 15 ounces (4.54 kg.). The physical examination