Otolaryngeal allergy in Wellington. 1971-1975.

Two thousand and twenty-nine patients received allergic therapy 1971-1975. Nine hundred and eighty-nine were followed up six to 24 months later. All received Rinkel's inhalant skin titration method. The first group 1971-1972 of 309 patients were investigated with Lee's food provocation method and useful relief of symptoms occurred in 27.6 per cent of patients. The second group 1973-1975 of 680 patients were investigated with Bryan's cytotoxic food test, 60 percent reported very good relief and 26 percent useful relief of symptoms. Successfully treated patients were able to curtail or abandon drug therapy and the frequency of surgery was decreased. The authors believe allergic symptoms are of common occurrence in patients frequently seeking medical attention.