Ernst Moro

The survival rates of infants suffering from acute diarrhea in early twentieth-century Germany shifted dramatically following the introduction of a simple carrot-based dietary intervention. This development originated with Ernst Moro, a pediatrician whose clinical observations and research at Heidelberg University fundamentally altered pediatric standards for treating intestinal distress, bacterial infections, and the nutritional needs of infants.

Early Career and Academic Path

Born in Ljubljana in 1874, Ernst Moro pursued his medical education at the University of Graz, earning his M.D. in 1899. His professional trajectory accelerated during his tenure in Vienna from 1901 to 1902, where he worked under Theodor Escherich, the discoverer of Escherichia coli. By 1906, Moro earned his habilitation in pediatrics in Munich. In 1911, he assumed a professorship of pediatrics at Heidelberg University, where he remained until his resignation in 1936.

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Clinical Contributions to Pediatrics

Moro documented several physiological phenomena and medical treatments. He first identified the infant reflex that now carries his name. Beyond clinical observation, he established that breast-fed infants exhibited higher blood bactericidal activity than those fed via bottles and proved the sterility of the normal small intestine. His diagnostic tools included the Moro test for tuberculin reaction. Furthermore, he identified Lactobacillus acidophilus within the stomachs of children and originated common medical terminology such as 'first trimester' and 'biological spring'.

Dietary Interventions

In 1908, Moro pioneered the use of carrot soup to treat pediatric diarrhea, consisting of 500 grams of carrots, water, and 3 grams of salt. Research published in 2002 and experiments conducted in 2009 validated its efficacy against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Later, in 1929, he introduced an apple diet for intestinal catarrh, utilizing the tannin content of raw grated apples to treat dyspepsia and dysentery symptoms. He also developed 'Moro's milk,' a formula utilizing full cream milk, flour, butter, and sugar.

Resignation and Later Life

In 1936, Moro resigned from his university chair, officially citing health concerns. However, his departure coincided with the rise of the Nazi regime and was necessitated by his marriage to Margarete Königswald, who was of Jewish origin. Following his departure from the university, he maintained a private clinic at Mozartstrasse 10. He retired from medical practice in 1948 and passed away in Heidelberg in 1951.