Fifty newly diagnosed patients of pulmonary tuberculosis developing streptomycin induced vertigo were assessed subjectively and objectively (by craniocorpography). They were divided into two groups. After stopping injection streptomycin controls received calcicum lactate tablets t.i.d. and the study patients received betahistin hel t.i.d for 10 days. The objective improvement in control group was 28 per cent and in study group it was 52 per cent. Betahistine dihydrochloride appears useful in relieving streptomycin induced vertigo.

A total of 300 sputum positive patients of pulmonary tuberculosis were interviewed to evaluate the factors which prompted them to seek medical advice, as well as to study their knowledge about tuberculosis, its management and prevention. A large number of patients knew that cough (97.3%), gradual weakness (88%), fever (81.3%), spitting of blood (66.6%), breathlessness (65.3%), loss of weight (56%) and chest pain (44%) can be symptoms of tuberculosis, almost half of the patients (49%) felt coughing was the made of transmission. 92.5 per cent know that disease is curable and 91 per cent opined that drugs alone can treat tuberculosis. But only 14 per cent related its aetiology to specific germ. None of the patients know that sputum examination alone can also be helpful in diagnosis. 85 per cent stressed upon hospitalization for treatment and 39 per cent upon good nourishment. Only 9.6 per cent know about BCG vaccination and 28 per cent were aware about district tuberculosis center and National tuberculosis control programme. A gross difference was observed between awareness of symptoms on one hand and knowledge about the disease and behaviour of patients on the other hand. Some possible solutions are suggested.

Total and HLA-DR positive alveolar macrophages were enumerated in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluids of active pulmonary tuberculosis, inactive pulmonary tuberculosis (treated cases), non-tuberculous lung disease patients and normal healthy individuals. A significantly increased number of macrophages was found in the patient groups than the normal individuals: however, there was no difference in HLA-DR positive cells. Among the different patient groups, smokers had more macrophages as well as more HLA-DR positive macrophages than non-smokers and normal subjects. Total number of alveolar macrophages of the active tuberculosis non-smoker group was significantly higher than the inactive tuberculosis non-smoker group and normal individuals. On the contrary, a slightly decreased number of HAL-DR positive cells was seen in the non-smoker group of active-TB patients. The present study suggests that infection and smoking induce the accumulation macrophages in the lung. The implication of these findings in relation to tuberculosis discussed.

A series of 122 pulmonary neoplasms and 46 mediastinal masses seen over six years (1980-85) is reported. In both groups, 80 and 72 percent were males and most cases were symptomatic. Chest radiographs in 76.84% did not show secondary pulmonary changes: only 8.2% revealed enlarged hilar nodes. Multiple investigations were needed to arrive at a diagnosis but in only 16.4%, lung lesions were respectable: Histologically the types seen were adenocarcinoma (23%), squamous carcinoma (16.4%) and undifferentiated (11.5%). Neurofibroma in lung was seen in five cases.

A case report of a Bilateral Pulmonary Hydatid cyst of which one ruptured causing spontaneous pneumothorax is presented.

A case of unilateral hyperlucent lung syndrome is reported on the left side in a male aged 40 years. The relevant literature is reviewed.

Thirty consecutive cases of proven foreign bodies in the tracheobronchial tree were treated during March 1985 to June 1987. A history of foreign body aspiration was obtained in 15 (50%) patients. The common mode of presentation was cough, respiratory distress and fever. In the majority of cases clinical examination revealed signs of collapse or just diminished breath sounds. Roentgenological study showed atelectasis in 13 (43%). Right bronchus was more frequently involved and the commonest foreign bodies were ground-nut and betel-nut. Bronchoscopic removal of foreign body was complete and successful in 24 (80%) and was associated with complication in six (20%) of the cases. There were two deaths.

The responses to graded hypoxia and hypercapine over 4-5 minutes using a rebreathing bag method were measured in 10 normals and 11 obstructive pulmonary (COPD) patients. During hypoxic study, FiO2 of O.13 in normals and 0.144 in patients were reached. In normals the type of response to hypoxia was curvilinear and to hyperacapnia linear. In nine of COPD patients, hypoxic response was smaller but similar. In two remaining patients with moderate hypoxia and CO2 retention, there was only minimal response, suggesting low sensitivity of respiratory centre. For hypercapnia, all COPD patients showed a diminished though linear response.

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Yoga is defined. A physiological analysis of the various techniques and rationale follows. The global effects of non-specific stress reduction and increased general releaxation is widely known. The techniques discussed have specific and localized effects on the activity of the respiratory mucosa and gland. Modern methods of research study and statistical analysis of data from asthmatics is in progress.