Symptoms
Children suffering with intestinal indigestion usually present symptoms of malnutrition. They are anemic, the extremities being usually very small. The most striking feature of such a case will be the extremely large abdomen. The colon is usually dilated as are also the small intestines. There is marked tympanites, which usually increases during the daytime but diminishes during the night. This is one of the principal symptoms which differentiate intestinal indigestion from tubercular peritonitis. Such children are easily fatigued, have a very sallow complexion with dark rings under the eyes. They are usually very much below the average weight and are very cross and irritable. They do not sleep well, often grinding their teeth and crying out in their sleep. There is usually alternating constipation and diarrhea, the odor of the stools being very offensive. In extreme cases there may be convulsions and other cerebral symptoms. There is seldom any fever.