It will be seen from the foregoing that the derangements of digestion may, for ordinary clinical purposes, be divided into three classes, each of which is distinct from either or both of the others, although they shade into each other by imperceptible gradations, so that there are no well-defined boundary lines separating them. The first class includes all those cases which are characterized by a deficiency, in quality or quantity, of the salivary secretion, and a consequent failure of or interference with the digestion of the starchy elements of the food—amylaceous dyspepsia. The second includes those in which there is difficulty in the digestion of the proteids, due to a variety of causes—gastric dyspepsia. In the third is placed those cases in which the trouble is located below the stomach, and are caused by inability of the pancreas and other glands to normally perform their function—intestinal indigestion. One constantly meets with cases belonging to each of these varieties, and he must correctly diagnose each case if he would apply the treatment necessary to produce the best results. For the present, however, we have only to do with the first variety, as my object in the preparation of this paper is to direct the attention of the profession to a new diastatic ferment which acts with as much or even greater energy upon the amylaceous foodstuffs as does pepsin upon the proteids. Such a substance has long been a desideratum with those who treat many dyspeptics, and who have been compelled to content themselves with malt extracts with which the market is supplied. The substance referred to was discovered by a Japanese chemist, Jokichi Takamine, not as the result of accident but while working scientifically with that exact end in view, and is now supplied to the profession by Parke, Davis & Co. under the name of Taka-Diastase. The writer has had frequent occasion to use it since it was first brought to his notice about a year and a half ago, and in that time has not had a single case in which its administration was not attended by the very best results. Notes of several cases were kept, three of which will be presented here as the most appropriate conclusion.