Two recent studies published in this Journal draw attention to deficiencies in treatment of children with acute infectious diarrhoea in Australia.1,2There is now no doubt that use of correctly constituted oral rehydration solutions provides optimal therapy for affected children unless circulation is compromised, vomiting is more than average, or complicating disorders are present. In the vast majority of cases, these complications do not occur. A high proportion of the childhood population experiences gastroenteritis at some time. It is known that 50% of Melbourne children require medical attention for rotavirus infection alone during their first 3 years of life, although less than 5% require admission.