Ten patients diagnosed as suffering from depressive illness were treated with 2 consecutive nights of sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation was effective in both types of depression viz. endoge­nous and reactive. The improvement was greater and seemed to last longer in endogenous depression as compared to reactive depression at the time of evaluation, 7 days after completion of sleep deprivation. Depressed mood, suicidal tendencies and retard­ation seemed to show the greatest improvement while insight and gastro-intestinal and somatic symptoms, improved the least.

Propantheline, oxyphenonium, isoproponaide, epidosine, adiphe­nine and atropine were studied for their effect on the superfused infesting of guinea pig and rat. In small, concentrations, all drugs produced a contraction, which with increasing concentration, was Hocked. Occasionally, a contraction and a relaxation or vice versa was recorded. A partial antagonism and a potentiation on the action of acetylcholine (Ach) during recovery was observed. In very high concentrations, all drugs produced a graded contraction of intestine, except adiphenine which produced a sustained contraction. Some­ times, a contraction and a relaxation was also observed.

A 4 year study on 93 pneumonias, 70 respiratory tract infec­tions and 20 normals for sputum bacteriology is reported. In controls, mainly Streptococcus pyogenes Staphylococcus and Branhamella catarrhalis were seen and frequently duplicated. In patients, there was a predominance of gram negative bacteria, mainly Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella species. There was some change in the individual frequency over these years, probably attributed to changes in the patterns of antibiotic usage in the general community.

A study of 93 cases of Pneumonias in adults was carried out over a period o f 3 years. The predominant organisms isolated were Enterobacter, E. coli, Streptococci and Staphylococci. Clinical and radiographic responses to the drugs administered (Epicillin, Ampi­cillin and Penicillin) were broadly comparable. Only 5 cases (Epicillin) failed to respond. There was little difference in the responses according to the organisms isolated or the sensitivity to the drug administered. The responses were similar in both Gram positive and Gram negative infections and the drug sensitivity status did not seem to matter.

A combination of 100 ml of 0.1% Ethacridine lactate solution and two intra-muscular injections of prostaglandin (300 µg each of I5-Methyl-PGF ₂α)was tried for safe termination of pregnancy. It was found that the success rate (88%) with this combination regimen was better than ethacridine lactate alone but a little inferior to prostaglandins alone. Average abortion interval was also less than with ethacridine lactate. However, the combination did not reduce the gastro-intestinal disturbances associated with prostaglandins.

Thirty cases of chest injuries were admitted in the Department of Surgery, K.E.M. Hospital, Bombay. These injuries seem to be fairly common. Detailed examination at the time of admission is necessary to assess the clinical presentation and the presence of major complications. Institution of intra-peritoneal drainage, restoration of negative intra-pleural pressure and active respiratory physiotherapy constitute an important part of the treatment. The literature on this subject is briefly reviewed

Thirty-two consecutive cases of small bowel perforations have been analysed. The most common aetiology seems to be nonspecific ulceration of the small bowel. The clinical features are not always obvious. Hence careful watch and suspicion are necessary. Four quadrant tap is the most reliable investigation. Early diagnosis is probably the only way to reduce mortality. Minimal surgery gives almost the same results as major surgi­cal procedures.

Plasma glycerol concentration was determined in 158 patients admitted to the hospital with acute chest pain. The patients were retrospectively divided into five groups according to their diagnosis, taking into account the presence or absence of myocardial infarc­tion and complicating arrythmias, The plasma glycerol concentra­tion was significantly higher in the group with complicating arrhythmias, irrespective of whether infarction was present or not. Therefore it is proposed that elevation of plasma glycerol may provide an important clue to determine those myocardial ischaemia cases who may develop cardiac arrythmias at a later stage.

Total serum lactate dehydrogenase activity in cases of myocar­dial infarct is difficult to interpret as abnormal values can occur in diseases of liver, kidney and skeletal muscle. The estimation of its isoenzymes is of better diagnostic help because of its tissue specificity. Serum LDH isoenzymes were studied in patients o f myocardial infarction and results are quantitated by densitometry. As LDH ₁ represents serum hydroxybutyric dehydrogenase when 2-oxylbutyrate is used as substrate, serum hydroxybutyric dehydro­genase was also estimated in above patients. Greater specificity in diagnosis is achieved with SHBDH because of its myocardial nature and lower incidence of false positive results.

Five cases of respiratory infection by Aspergillus fumigates are described. Species of aspergillus is ubiquitous in nature. Therefore, repeated demonstration of fungus, serological evidence tend radiological findings are essential for diagnosis. Potassium iodide is a useful drug in aspergillus infection of the lung when other drugs are not available. Injection Emetine hydrochloride is promising as a therapeutic agent in pulmonary aspergillosis, where the lung parenchyma is involved.

A female aged 45 years was admitted to the hospital with chronic diarrhoea. Probable diagnosis of rectal carcinoma was made on clinical and radiologic examination. Biopsy showed histology of tuberculosis. Patient was treated by antituberculous drugs with remarkable improvement.

The traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is an established con­sequence of modern high speed transportation. Late presentation of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is an uncommon surgical problem. Two cases of latent and obstructive traumatic diaphragmatic hernia have been presented. The clinical presentation, the diagnostic problems and the management of such cases are discussed.