Both the radioactive and non-radioactive pollutants in the air can cause cancer in the human lung. Cancer occurrence follows the deposition and retention of pollutants which need be measured accurately. Respiratory parameters affect the deposition and retention patterns of the pollutants in the lung. Several methods are used to produce aerosol particles for determining the deposition fractions in the lung. An index of inhalation risk can be evaluated using the respiratory parameters to assess the likelihood of occurrence of lung cancer in humans. Smoking can be suspected to impair the normal functioning of the lung in which case a carcinogenic pollutant can lodge itself in the lung tissue resulting in an increased dose and facilitate the development of cancer. The present study points out that it is necessary to measure the various respiratory parameters while determining the deposition fraction of aerosol particles in the human lung. Respiratory functioning is an important factor to be considered in explaining the variations noted in the development of cancer among individuals.

Experience from Baroda (Gujarat State) of studies on different groups of tuberculous patients treated with conventional drugs along with intermittent rifampicin exhibited for durations ranging from 13 to 24 weeks under programme conditions, forms the subject matter of this report. The paper deals with five different studies where twice or once a week rifampicin containing regimens, are found to be 100% effective. In the experience of the author, patient's compliance seems to be relatively high in his part of the country compared to the service programme operating in other areas. Adverse reactions, of an immunological nature to rifampicin, are found to be less than 1% in these series of patients and the total cost is not more than conventional 12-18 months therapy with standard drugs. Relapses appear to be few when patients in the first two studies were followed up over a period of two and a half to four years.

A preliminary study to assess the cardio-pulmonary status of the treated cases of pulmonary tuberculosis was undertaken at I.C.M.R., Tuberculosis Research Centre, Madras. The study was carried out in 40 cases of treated pulmonary tuberculosis. These patients were selected from the follow up clinic of the Tuberculosis Research Centre and were all sputum negative for A.F.B. for a period varying from one to four years, with radiographic evidence of parenchymal lesions in the lungs and all complained of dyspnoea of varying grades. Pulmonary Function tests were carried out and electrocardiograms were recorded in all patients. In 75% of cases the FVC was markedly reduced (below 75% predicted). However in 75% of cases, the FEV1% was within normal limits. Eighteen percent patients studied had electrocardio-graphic evidence of Cor-pulmonale. Another interesting finding in the electrocardiograms was the presence of tall T waves in leads V2 and V3 in 37% of cases, the significance of which was unknown.

The experience in this comparative study of fiberscopy with rigid bronchoscopy on a total of 240 procedures leads one to conclude that, fiberbronchoscopy is found to increase the chances of getting a positive diagnosis (85%) to a considerable extent compared to use of rigid bronchoscopy (75%). Its value for collecting reliable bacteriological information is very doubtful. There is considerable scope for improving the yield from biopsies through improved biopsy punches, forceps and wider bore scopes. The chances of contamination of bacteriology specimens are considerably less in rigid bronchoscopy. The advantage of rigid bronchoscope over fiberscope in sucking out secretions from the bronchial tree is emphasised.

A case of a 19 year old girl with roentgenographic evidence of bilateral hilar adenopathy proved histologically as tuberculous and responding to triple drug anti-tuberculosis treatment is discussed. This case is reported for its uncommon bilateral involvement and unusual occurrence in an adult in the ephebiatric age group.