150 MEDICAL NEWS in BRIEF Canad

150 MEDICAL NEWS IN BRIEF Canad. M. A. J. July 15, 1956, vol. 75

GASEOUS DISTENSION 1 7 OF THE STOMACH Dr. Konar and his associates from Calcutta, India, PARKINSONISM IN THE AGED (J. Indian M.A., 26: 257, 1956) record experiments in artificial gaseous distension of the stomach. They Patients over 60 with Parkinson's disease are apt introduced a tube stomach to become extremely sensitive to the used Ryle into the through a commonly nostril and then distended the stomach with up to drugs, such as belladonna, atropine and synthetic drugs 2,000 c.c. of air. Patients were asked what symptoms of the Artane type. In making this statement, Schwab felt when the (J. Am. Geriat. Soc., 4: 491, 1956) points out they stomach was distended with air. that All complained of a feeling of distension in the abdo- the often follows a sensitivity pattern. The patient men and some remarked that they felt as if their can take the medicine usually in the morning without abdomen would burst. This symptom usually much but a dose taken in the appeared too difficulty evening after introduction of 800 induces confusion and hallucinations. In c.c. of air. Nausea was an addition, the early symptom and eructatioh of gas and passage of drugs tend to retention or produce urinary constipa- flatus also occurred. Cases were divided into two tion, and the total amount given may have to be cut groups, one suffering from liver cirrhosis, emphysema, down to as much as a half or a quarter of that given heart in middle-age. disease, anxmia and hepatosplenomegaly, while the other group consisted of controls without these diseases. In general, the patients suffering from em- METACORTANDRACIN IN physema of the lungs, compensated heart disease and MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS liver cirrhosis felt the above symptoms more readily than did the controls. Some of the first group In a French hospital for chronic internal medical also conditions, 56 patients with multiple sclerosis, mostly complained of palpitation, dyspncea and precordial of duration between five and 20 years and never in distress. The authors mention as a side-effect the facil- an early stage, were treated with metacortandracin in ity with which the liver was visualized in straight radio- doses of 20 mg. or less daily. The drug was given by graphs of the abdomen after the stomach had been mouth and seldom gave rise to side-effects. After five distended with 1,500-2,000 c.c. of air. months the authors are of the opinion that metacortandracin was of definite benefit in a proportion of cases. Of 56 patients treated, 26 did not respond, five PRIMARY CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY had treatment stopped, and two died, but 23 showed improvement in varying proportions and in some cases From Montreal, Davis and his colleagues present a sufficient to permit of considerable rehabilitation. study of a series of 2 70 cases of primary ovarian Effects of the drug appeared to include great improve- carcinoma treated in the period between 1930 and ment in general condition, with the consequent healing 1954 (Surg., Gynec. & Obst., 102: 565, 1956). They of bedsores etc., an improvement in the mental state, present a new method of staging cases clinically into diminution in contractures and motor power recovery. -Presse me'd., 64: 1005, 1956. seven groups according to the progress of the disease. In stage 0 there was carcinoma in situ with no invasion of the stroma; in stage I there was gross malignancy PROMETHAZINE FOR PINWORMS confined to the ovary; in stage II the ovarian capsule One hundred patients infested with pinworms were had been broken through, but there was no manifest given a single oral dose at bedtime of promethazine, spread beyond the gland; in stage IIA both ovaries 125 mg., and the results were studied by use of were affected, but there were no metastases; in stage cellophane tape swabs taken 10 days or more after III metastases throughout the pelvis were present; in treatment. Of the patients, 97 were freed of infection stage IV metastases had gone beyond the pelvis and in by this single dose, and in no case was a serious toxic stage IVL the liver was involved. In assessing results reaction observed. Promethazine (Phenergan) is there- of treatment, the authors believe that some inter- fore recommended as a non-toxic and cheap method of treating pinworm infestation.-Avery, J.A.M.A., nationally agreed form of staging is essential, and they 161: 681, 1956. advance the view that theirs is a useful and logical classification. Their results indicate that the best ULTRASONIC RADIATION IN THE therapy for these cases, which have a bad prognosis in general, is hysterectomy combined with TREATMENT OF EPICONDYLITIS bilateral adnexal removal. They differ from most authors in Ultrasonic radiation applied under water to the believing that x-ray therapy is not at all useful, either entire extensor area of the forearm is recommended for palliation or for increasing the salvage rate. In by Aldes (G.P., 13: 89, 1956), particularly in com- bination with local injection of hydrocortisone, in the their series, hysterectomy alone was at least the equal treatment of epicondylitis of traumatic origin. In 126 of operation plus x-ray. The over-all uncorrected five- cases, Aldes obtained the best results by this combined year survival rate was 37.6%. method. (Continued on advertising page 40) Canad. M. A. J. 40 July 15, 1956, vol. 75

MEDICAL NEWS in brief illustrated by three case reports, tract. He suggests that the obses- Vague of Marseille (Presse med., sional desire of certain Nordic males (Continued from page 150) 64: 949, 1956) discusses this "pan- to transform themselves into CHANGE OF SEX demic". He says that persons females is related to the gradual requesting change of sex belong approach in western society to- Since at the end of 1952 the to a well-recognizable category. wards a matriarchy, such as has not world press began to acquaint the In three-quarters of the cases, it is been seen since the Trojan War. public with the news that it was an apparent male who wishes to He is opposed to the performance possible to change one's sex, certain be transformed into a female. Care- of this type of operation, except in endocrinologists in various centres ful examination of the subject will very exceptional cases. have been bombarded by requests disclose that he has some faults of for the necessary operation. Ham- male development (distribution of burger of Copenhagen received 755 fat, bone characters). Vague thinks SKIMMED MILK requests in a single year; these it probable that, for example, in AND KWASHIORKOR requests came from all over the France there are about a million world, with a very high percentage persons whose somatic-differentia- Pretorius and his colleagues from (38%) coming from the United tion is not in accord with that of South Africa (South African M. J., States. In an article on this subject, their gonads or of their genital 30: 447, 1956) report further studies on the use of skimmed milk in the protein-deficiency disease in children, known as kwashiorkor. They confirm that this is the treatment of choice and have shown in their most recent studies that neither vitamin nor protein supplementa- tion of ordinary skimmed milk makes the therapeutic result any better. It does appear that high standards of preparation and packaging of dried milk products are of importance in obtaining results, as shown by healing of skin lesions, loss of aedema and improvement in appetite and well-being, together with a rise in serum albumin level.

INTERNSHIPS IN FRANCE Our contemporary, l'Union Med- icale du Canada, announces the success of a visit of the deans of the faculties of medicine of Laval and the University of Montreal ...... who visited France to discuss the possibility of their graduates doing ...... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~. ..:s...... :,..,...... :..: internships in French hospitals. It W. D. LAVERTY-25 years milk laboratory experience-conducts quantitative butterfat test now appears that graduates from on evaporated milk using the Majonnier method and testing equipment. these two medical schools will be able to spend some time in Paris Just one of a number of checks and possibly in provincial French hospitals, serving as third- and During processing, Farmer's_t

MEDICAL NEWS in brief majority of highly developed . (Continued from page 40) countries. Highest on the list of cancer deaths-from 39 to 73% of 1956) describe the use of coconut the total, according to country-are water as a therapeutic aid in con- those caused by cancer of the gestive cardiac failure. They noted digestive organs (cesophagus, stom- No2 /I/llON CANADIANS that coconut water was very low ach, small intestine including in sodium and very high in potas- duodenum, large intestine, rectum, sium and treated 10 cases of biliary passages, liver, pancreas congestive cardiac failure with and peritoneum). peripheral cedema, dividing cases The World Health Organization into groups, one given coconut has recently published statistics on working water and the other the typical mortality from malignant neo- Karrel diet. They report that plasms of digestive organs and with Canadians patients receiving coconut water in peritoneum in 26 countries since 0 amounts from 1,650-2,000 c.c. a day the beginning of the century. -0 in every walk experienced a good diuretic effect Mortality from cancer of the with significant increase in the digestive organs is higher in men excretion of sodium and consider- than in women. Stomach cancer is : of life since able loss of body weight. Results responsible for the majority of . were far better than those on a cancer deaths in both sexes, im- 1817. . . milk diet. mediately followed by cancer of the large intestine and the rectum. In the mortality from all cancers BANK OF MONTREAL A.M.A. PLANS INTER- of digestive organs: NATIONAL MEDICAL 444 7 04 FILM PROGRAM STOMACH CANCER REPRESENTS: Countries M. F. A program of foreign- special Canada ...... 39.9% 28.2% . . made medical films will be an Italy ...... 57.4% 50.2% added feature of the 106th Annual Japan ...... 70.3% 66.0% Meeting of the American Medical Kingdom.. United 40.0% 34.2% the Association to be held in New United States ... 31.5% 22.6% report. In Canada, for example, in film mortality rose from 7.1% of all York City June 1957. This LARGE INTESTINE CANCER REPRESENTS: program will be presented in deaths in 1920 to 14.5% in 1953. co-operation with Johnson and Countries M. F. Johnson, New Brunswick, New Canada ...... 21.2% 34.1% Italy ...... 7.9% 12.0% Jersey, as a part of the scientific NEW ENGLAND Japan ...... 2.0% 4.2% program, bringing before the United Kingdom 20.6% 29.9% POSTGRADUATE doctors attending the meeting out- United States ... 23.2% 34.4% ASSEMBLY standing motion pictures produced abroad dealing with many aspects RECTUM CANCER REPRESENTS: The Fourteenth Annual New of medical science. Films for the Countries M. F. England Postgraduate Assembly program will be selected from Canada ...... 13.1% 10.1% will be held at the Hotel Statler in applications submitted bv authors Italy ...... 5.9% 5.8% Boston, October 30, 31 and Novem- and producers from other countries. Japan .... 4.2% 5.0% ber 1, 1956. Designed especially for The assistance of United States United Kingdom.. 17.0% 13.5% the practising physician, this year's Government agencies, Johnson and United States ... 13.0% 12.1% Assembly will feature lectures, Johnson's foreign affiliates and symposia, panels, luncheon panels international medical organizations Mortality from these malignant and round table discussions, and neoplasms increases from the age will be utilized to publicize and aid clinical - pathological conferences. of 40 onward and becomes very Carefully selected and previewed in making this a most worthwhile important after 60. program. medical films will be shown. Applications for the program According to the WHO study, Dr. Robert P. McCombs of and further information can be in England in 1953, 44.6% of all Boston is chairman of the com- obtained from the American Medi- cancer deaths were caused by can- mittee arranging the program. cal Association, Motion Pictures cer of the digestive organs; in Spain Information from: New England and Medical Television, 535 North 48.9%; in France 50.1%v; in Italy Postgraduate Assembly, 22 The Dearborn Street, Chicago 10, 54.6%; in Sweden 52.7%; in Fenway, Boston 15, Mass. Illinois. Switzerland 50.6%v; in Canada 46.7%; in Chile 62.6%o; in the United States of America 39%; in PAN-PACIFIC SURGICAL MORTALITY FROM Uruguay 54.6% and in Japan 73.3%. ASSOCIATION CANCER OF The Seventh of the DIGESTIVE ORGANS A remarkable increase in cancer Congress deaths since the beginning of the Pan-Pacific Surgical Association Next to heart diseases, cancer is twentieth century is clearly shown will be held in Honolulu, Hawaii, the largest cause of death in the in the statistical tables of the WHO (Continued on page 44) 44 Canad. M. A. J. July 15, 1956, vol. 75

MEDICAL NEWS in brief gram by leading surgeons with A NEW COURT CLINIC (Continued from page 43) sessions in all divisions of surgery IN TORONTO and related fields promises to be November 14-22, 1957. All mem- of interest to all doctors. On May 1, 1956, the Government bers of the profession are cordially Further information and bro- of Ontario opened a forensic clinic to serve invited to attend and are urged to chures may be obtained by writing the courts in metropolitan make arrangements as soon as to Dr. F. J. Pinkerton, Director Toronto. The clinic will operate as possible if they wish to be assured General of the Pan-Pacific Surgical a division of the Toronto Psychi- of adequate facilities. Association, Room 230, Young atric Hospital, which is affiliated An outstanding scientific pro- with the department of psychiatry Building, Honolulu, Hawaii. of the University of Toronto. Statutory authority is provided so that a court may order an examination of the physical and mental condition of any person. The clinic may report the results to the court. In addition to these diag- nostic arrangements the clinic will also undertake treatment without charge to the patient. The new clinic is an outpatient clinic and is in addition to the in- patient forensic services which have been a function of the Toronto Psychiatric Hospital since 1926. It is considered that the facilities of the clinic may be particularly useful in the case of persons charged with sex offences. However, the clinic is not restricted to such cases and a court may arrange for an examination in any case where the judge or magistrate believes the procedure would be useful. JOURNAL OF NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE The Journal of the National Cancer Institute is now being pub- ELECTROCARDI OGRAM lished monthly, starting with Vol- ume 17, Number 1, July 1956. This Patients today are more than ever aware of the increasing inci- change of schedule, after 16 years dence of heart disease and are realizing that a thorough cardiac of bimonthly publication, has been evaluation is part of their physical examination. made to increase the publication outlet for investigators engaged in A cardiogram is, of course, indispensable to early diagnosis of cancer research. Papers on basic many cases of cardiac dysfunction, and the Burdick direct-record- research, clinical investigations, ing Electrocardiograph offers unexcelled accuracy and simplicity statistical studies, and critical re- of operation. views in cancer are invited. The Journal may be purchased from the From essentials such as the precision-built galvanometer to re- Superintendent of Documents, U.S. finements such as a stabilizing circuit which permits rapid chang- Government Printing Office, Wash- ing from lead to lead, the Burdick Electrocardiograph is designed ington 25, D.C. Any change in to give years of continuing satisfaction. price for future volumes will be announced. For a thorough appraisal of the many features of this fine instrument, see your Burdick dealer- DISINFECTION OF OR CATHETERS, CYSTOSCOPES, for information write BRONCHOSCOPES... A simple apparatus and a reli- THE BURDICK CORPORATION MILTON. WISCONSIN able method for the disinfection of catheters, cystoscopes, bronchoscopes, etc., is described by Bekker and Onvlee of Utrecht (Nederl. Canadian Distributors: tijdschr. geneesk., 100: 1491, 1956). Fisher Burpe Limited, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto They disinfect in a vessel from The J. F. Hartz Co., Ltd., Toronto, Montreal which the air has been evaporated Canad. M. A. J. July 15, 1956, vol. 75 45

by suction and replaced by a mix- itects, etc.-are not aware of the doctor dies. It is not difficult to ture of 10% ethylene oxide and fact that, under certain circum- imagine the large tax liability that 90%b carbon dioxide. The gas mix- stances, amounts owing to them would then result in certain in- ture, which is not explosive and become subject to income tax at stances. does not damage the instruments, the time of death. As an example, "It is sometimes possible to reduce is allowed to act for eight hours take a doctor's book accounts; a the tax liability. If a named bene- at a temperature of 370 C. The doctor usually pays income tax on ficiary is given the accounts by instruments are packed in cello- fees actually collected by him, but Will, such beneficiary rather than ghane before sterilization and can at the same time his records reflect the estate becomes responsible for be stored and transported sterile many hundreds of dollars owing to the tax in the year in which the after disinfection. The apparatus is him. These book accounts, less a accounts are collected. Accord- simple to mount and easy to work, reasonable allowance for those ingly, where it is likely that the and the disinfection is reliable. which may be uncollectable, be- accounts will be collected over a come taxable income when the (Continued on page 46) AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS The world's largest meeting of surgeons, the 42nd annual Clinical quicker relief Congress of the American College of Surgeons, will take place in San Francisco, October 8-12, 1956. and shortened disability For the first time, student repre- sentatives from 16 medical schools in Herpes Zoster and Neuritis will attend the Clinical Congress at College expense. The College believes that education obtained through attendance at scientific tti e e programs such as the Congress is as valuable to students as to .Five Year Clinical Evaluation practising physicians. In support of this belief, and in co-operation with deans of approved medical schools With only one to four injections of Protamide0 prompt in the U.S.A. and Canada, it is and complete recovery was obtained in 84% of all herpes planned that a number of senior zoster patients and in 96% of all neuritis patients treated medical students will attend Con- during a five-year period by Drs. Henry W, Henry G., gress meetings every year. Schools and David R. Lehrer (Northwest Med. 75:1249, 1955). will participate in rotation, depend- ing upon the geographical location The investigators report on a total of 109 cases of of the meeting. Students will be herpes zoster and 313 cases of neuritis, all of whom selected by vote of their classmates. were seen in private practice. All but At the Congress, Fellow-sponsors one patient in each category will meet with and advise the responded with complete recovery. students daily, to insure that each student obtains the maximum This significant response is attributed to ex- benefit from this educational the fact that Protamide therapy was started perience. promptly at the patient's first visit. Major addresses at the Congress will be presented by Dr. Daniel C. The shortening of the period of disability Elkin, Lancaster, Kentucky, incom- by this method of management is ing President of the College, and described as "a very gratifying experience by Dr. Vannevar Bush, New York, noted engineer and scientist. Dr. for both the physician and the patient." Michael L. Mason, Chicago, will give the annual Oration on Trauma, 7;g ProtansideS is a sterile colloidal solution prepared speaking on "The Treatment of from animal gastric mucosa . . free from protein Open Wounds". reaction.. virtually painless on administration ... used intramuscularly only. Available from Further information from: Ameri- supply houses and pharmacies in boxes of ten can College of Surgeons, 40 East 1.3 cc. ampuls. Erie Street, Chicago 11, Ill.

INCOME TAX ON ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE "It has been our experience that a product of a large number of persons whose income is on a fee basis-doctors, Detroit 1, Michigan dentists, lawyers, accountants, arch- Canad. M. A. J. 46 July 15, 1956, vol. 75

same nature as.those under discus- daily newspaper in Canada to come sion give careful consideration to out solidly against national health ARTIFICIAL all tax implications before deciding insurance, which it maintains to be LIIMBS whether such accounts should be unnecessary because of the wide a or It is our policy to given to beneficiary by Will coverage given by voluntary plans consult surgeon retained as part of the estate."- and by present facilities for the before soliciting patient. Canada Trust Bulletin, May 1956. care of indigents. The Tribune has Specializing on light advocated catastrophe insurance, Dural Metal and which would be far cheaper and English Willow limbs KITCHENER INDUSTRIAL yet give the security that people worn without Shoul- der straps. HEALTH SERVICES want. The brochure of 32 pages Improved and suC- PROJECT contains in chronological order coeful method in comments which have fitting short thigh editorial stumps and hip dis- In Kitchener, Ont., a project has appeared over a two-year period articulations. been recently completed known as from March 1954 to March 1956. Personal training the "Kitchener Industrial Health given to patients inl Services Project" which was essen- the use of Hanger Limbs. tially a demonstration of the possi- LIFE INSURANCE BELTS bilities of establishment and opera- FELLOWSHIP FUND LEG BRACES in a tion of health services group Thirteen separate research pro- Treatise on of seven small plants. Results have amputations. jects at 10 of Canada's medical been so satisfactory that in six of Catalogue and schools will receive financial assist- the seven participating plants an demonstration ance from the Canadian Life given on request. individual health service is to con- Insurance Medical Fellowship Fund J. E. H4ANGER tinue at the plant's own instigation. OF CANADA firm indicated satis- this year. The Fellowship Fund, The seventh a Limited faction with the service and sug- now in its eighth year, is filling Head Office that it be resumed need in Canada in the field of established 1861 gested might and research that is not when they had more employees. education 38 Camden Street, met the various The project was sponsored by the being through TORONTO government and other fund-grant- Phone EM. 4-5797 Kitchener Board of Health and the of and ing bodies in the country. In many 1409 Crescent St., Ontario Department Health, has enabled MONTREAL health services were provided free instances the Fund Phone LA. 9810 cost the universities to encourage and retain of medical to participating would company, expenses being met by a members of their staffs who Federal health grant. otherwise have gone elsewhere. MEDICAL NEWS in brief Eight of these annual grants are (Continued from page 45) renewals to allow the scientists to number of years and the bene- PAN-AMERICAN SANITARY continue their work. The other five ficiary is in a comparatively low ORGANIZATION are new research projects. Awarded income tax bracket, this plan has fellowships this year are: Univer- much to recommend it. However, The Executive Committee of the sity of Alberta, Dr. E. C. Elliot in other cases it may be extremely Pan-American Sanitary Organiza- (new); University of British Colum- costl. tion met in Washington June 5-13, bia, Dr. G. E. Dower (renewal); "If the accounts are not given by with Dr. Jorge Jimenez Gandica Dalhousie University, Dr. J. W. Will to a named beneficiary, three of Colombia in the chair. Various MacIntosh, Jr. (new); Laval Uni- methods of calculating the tax pay- resolutions were adopted for final versity, Dr. Bernard Belleau (new); able are available to an executor. action by the PASO Council at its University of Manitoba, Dr. Peter The accounts may simply be added meeting next September 16 in Gaskell (renewal); McGill Univer- to the deceased's other income of Antigua, Guatemala. A budget of sity, Dr. M. M. Tunis (renewal, the year up to the date of death, $2,400,0000 for 1957 was approved Dr. N. K. M. de Leeuw (renewal) or the executor may file a separate by the Committee. Emphasis was and Dr. C. P. Giroud (new); Uni- tax return, claiming all exemptions, laid on the program of world-wide versity of Montreal, Dr. Aurele as if such accounts were the de- eradication of malaria. A proposal Beaulnes (renewal); Queen's Uni- ceased's only income for the year. was approved in principle for versity, Dr. L. S. Valberg (new); The third method allows the ex- achieving maximum uniformity of University of Toronto, Dr. Calvin ecutor to divide the total of the legislation throughout the Ameri- Ezrin (renewal) and Dr. W. J. accounts into five equal portions, cas for the registration of drugs. Horsey (renewal); University of add one portion to the income of Western Ontario, Dr. C. R. Engel each of the four years prior to the EDITORIAL COMMENTS (renewal). year of death and recalculate the ON HEALTH INSURANCE tax. The remaining portion is added to the other income of the The Winnipeg Tribune has print- THE SECOND INTER- year of death. The method chosen ed in brochure form editorial NATIONAL CONGRESS will, naturally, be that which re- comments on national health insur- ON MEDICAL RECORDS sults in the least amount of tax ance for Canada, compiled from being paid. its editorial pages. In a foreword The Second International Con- "We recommend that professional to this compilation it is stated that gress on Medical Records con- people having book accounts of the the Winnipeg Tribune was the first (Continued on page 48) Canad. M. A. J. 48 July 15, 1956, vol. 75

MEDICAL NEWS in brief pancreatitis in experimental ani- (Continued from page 46) mals. Dr. S. A. Bencosme, Queen's ANNOUNCING venes at the Shoreham Hotel, University, Kingston, to study THE MOST ADVANCED Washington, D.C., October 1-5, 1956. The Congress is sponsored further the function of the A-cells TREATMENT IN by the American Association of of the pancreas. INFLAMMATORY AND Medical Record Librarians, the Dr. C. C. Butler and Mrs. Stella Association of Medical Record Hu, University of Toronto, to study ALLERGIC EYE Officers of the United Kingdom, the biosynthesis of nucleic acids by DISORDERS the Canadian Association of Medi- bacteria. cal Record Librarians and the Dr. W. A. Cochrane, Hospital Australian Federation of Medical for Sick Children, Toronto, to study Record Librarians. Outstanding abnormalities of the blood sugar medical and hospital authorities of level in infants. the different nations represented at Dr. K. C. Fisher and Mr. S. the Congress will address the group Dales, University of Toronto, to on medical care and health pro- study the metabolism of cells in gram administration and on edu- tissue culture. cation and scientific research as Dr. G. Gamarra, Toronto General they relate to medical record Hospital, to study the development activities. of the muscles of the female Among the speakers now sched- urethra. uled for the Congress are: William Dr. C. S. Hanes and Mr. A. T. S. Middleton, M.D., Chief Medical Matheson, University of Toronto, Director, Veterans Administration, to study the part played by nucleic Washington, D.C.; G. A. Winfield, acid in protein synthesis. M.D., Director, Medical Research Dr. J. K. N. Jones and Mr. M. Statistics, Department of Veterans Perry, Queen's University, King- w Affairs, Ottawa, Canada; Mr. R. G. ston, to study the specific carbo- Heppell, Royal Free Hospital, in the capsule of pneu- London; Miss Frances Gillespie, hydrates WATH NEOMYCIN mococci. President, Rachel Forster Hospital R. 0. OINTMENT for Women, Sydney, Australia; Dr. W. Kalow and Mr. William Pakeman, University Col- Davies, of Toronto, to study the lege Hospital, Jamaica, B.W.I.; fate of succinyldicholine, a muscle in topical eye therapy Alan Treloar, Director of Hospital relaxant drug, in animals and Facilities, American Hospital Asso- human beings. * enhanced pote-ncy, ciation; Mrs. Elsie Royle-Mansell, Dr. S. J. Klebanoff and Mr. L. prompt relief Christie Hospital and Holt Radium Zonger, Universitv of Toronto, to Institute, Manchester, England; study the metabolism of glutathione * combines antibacterial Mindel C. Sheps, M.D., Harvard in health and disease. with anti-inflammatory- Medical School, Cambridge, Mas- Dr. R. I. Merritt, Queen's Uni- antiallergic action sachusetts; Mr. George St. J. versity, Kingston, to study the Perrott and Howard M. Kline, crossing of various molecules across . increased safety, Ph.D., of the U.S. Public Health the placental barrier between the sensitization is rare Service, and many others. Social blood supplies of mother and child. events and visits to local hospitals Dr. J. H. Quastel and- Mr. M. have been arranged. Franklin, McGill-Montreal General Hospital Research Institute, Mont- Packaging: real, to study the mechanism of METIMYD* acquired resistance to drugs affect- with Neomycin Ointment, BANTING RESEARCH nervous svstem, such as % os. applicator tube, ing the boxes of 1. FOUNDATION GRANTS morphine. METIMYD*, The Trustees of The Banting Mr. B. H. Sells, McGill Univer- brand of prednisolone Research Foundation at their an- sity, Montreal, to study the fragility acetate and nual meeting held on June 14 made of capillaries. suIfacetamide sodium. 16 new awards of grants-in-aid to Mrs. J. Stachenko, McGill Uni- *T.M. medical research workers across versity, Montreal, to study further Canada to help finance original the activity of the cortex of the medical research projects. The adrenal gland. recipients are: Dr. Norma F. Walker and Dr. Dr. E. Baer, University of Tor- Irene Uchida, Hospital for Sick onto, to study the intermediate Children, Toronto, to study the Montrea1 steps in the oxidation of carbo- genetic factors behind the associa- hydrates. tion of heart abnormalities and Dr. I. T. Beck, Royal Victoria mongolian idiocy. Hospital, Montreal, to study acute (Continued on page 50) Canad. M. A. J. 50 July 15, 1956, vol. 75

MEDICAL NEWS in brief of pregnancy. In general the han- soon as possible; this is regarded (Continued from page 48) dicaps were small but detectable. as essential in order to avoid possible danger of mosquitos develop- MENTAL ABILITY OF ing resistance to insecticides. PREMATURE CHILDREN WORLD HEALTH Heart diseases.-It was agreed Douglas of the University of ORGANIZATION PROGRAM that WHO should intensify its Edinburgh has recently published FOR 1957 work and its investigation in the the fourth of a series of papers field of heart disease. It appears At the Assembly of the World quite clear that in a large number describing the growth and develop- Health Organization which recently ment of a national sample of pre- of countries rheumatic, hyperten- closed in Geneva, certain details sive and coronary heart disease are mature children in the United of the proposed WHO program for Kingdom (Brit. M. 1., 1: on the increase and are causing an 1210, 1956). 1957 were discussed. Particular at- The present paper re- increased number of deaths. describes the tention was paid to the following sults of reading, vocabulary and subjects. The technical discussions held picture intelligence tests in a at this year's Assembly were on the sample of 707 premature babies Atomic energy. - The Assembly subject "Nurses, their Education weighing less than 51/2 lb. (2.5 kg.) approved a program in this field, and their Role in Health Programs". at the age of 8. The achievements covering training of public health All the delegates to the Assembly of these children were compared personnel, development of stand- took part in these discussions, ards, and studies of health risks with a carefully matched series of which were chaired by Dame controls. It was found that pre- connected with radiation and radio- active waste disposals. Elizabeth Cockayne, Chief Nursing mature children scored less than Officer, Ministry of Health, United the controls in each of the three Malaria eradication. - The As- Kingdom. The President to the As- types of test, being proportionately sembly noted that a number of the most handicapped in reading. countries had already made good sembly was Professor Jacques This handicap did not increase progress in malaria eradication Parisot, Professor of Public Health significantly either with a falling campaigns and called on govern- and Social Medicine in the Uni- birthweight or a decreasing length ments to strive for eradication as versity of Nancy, France.

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