It was, perhaps, a rare impulse among scientists that had also enabled Fleming’s earlier discovery of lysozyme, an antibacterial enzyme present in mucus and tears.

An egg white is made of water containing a variety of proteins, including lysozyme, which plays a part in the immune system.

The researchers found that when lactoferrin and lysozyme are added to the solution, the children’s illness is cut from more than five days to 3.7.