Quinolones were found to be superior to cotrimoxazole in lower respiratory infections in adults. Ciprofloxacin was superior to Pefloxacin in clinical practice. Long term studies are required to evaluate emergence of resistance.

An analysis of case records of 3880 patients admitted in Chest Department during a period of six years is presented. Obstructive airway disease formed 32.2%, tuberculosis 26.7%, lung cancer 6.4% and pleural diseases 11.1% of admissions. The mortality rate was 4.02%.

Pneumomediastinum is a rare entity reported in acute severe asthma. We report three cases of pneumomediastinum in acute asthma and resolving spontaneously with conservative management.

A preliminary study was undertaken to find out the attitude of 150 patients of chronic bronchitis towards smoking and their knowledge of the relationship of between smoking and chronic bronchitis. Two-thirds of the patients knew that their disease was related to smoking. The treating physician played an important role In persuading the patients to quit smoking (52.8% of cases) although 44% of the cases gave up on their own.

A primary low-grade B cell lymphoma of lung is reported in a 66 year old male. The diagnosis was made on pleural fluid cytology and aspiration cytology of lung mass. The case is being described for its interesting clinical presentation and rarity.

Two cases of acute silicosis in workers handling fine silica powder bags are reported. Such an occurrence is rare and reported for the first time in India.

Bacteriological assessment of 60 pulmonary tuberculosis patients on short course chemotherapy and 66 patients on retreatment was made at the time of their retrieval after various periods of treatment default. Persistence and reappearance of tubercle bacilli were more frequently observed 1) In the defaulters who stayed away during the early phase of treatment, 2) In those who had longer duration of default and 3) In patients with moderately advanced and far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis. All the post-default culture growths of M. tuberculosis were found to be sensitive to all the anti tuberculosis drugs administered during pre-default period. Therefore, the same drug regimens could be reinstituted or continued without any alteration after the treatment default.

Alternate day short course regimens were compared with daily short courses consisting of lsniazid (H), ethambutol (E), rifampicin (R) and pyrazinamide (Z). Drug toxicity was equally frequent in both. Nature and severity of toxicity varied between the two groups. Alternate day regimen does not appear to confer advantages over daily regimens in the field.

Pectus excavatum with partial absence of pectoral is major is reported. The causation, radiological features and correction modalities are discussed.