In the March 2001 issue of the Ceylon Medical Journal (Vol. 46 No.l), an advertisement titled "Preven­ tion is better than cure" inserted by New Delmon Hospital has misleading information. It says "Influenza vaccine 3,5 and 7 months'. Presumably it refers to the Haemophilus influenzae type B (or Hib) vaccine, which is totally different to the influenza vaccine, which is also available in Sri La...

symptoms to vitamin-A deficiency; they refer to a review by Dr. H. S. Stannus (1930) and to their experiences in Malayan prisons. They suggest that ' sore mouth' and ' neuritis' are due more probably to vitamin-B deficiency. As they refer to the review of Dr. Stannus I conclude they mean principally B2. Since writing the paper I have cut sections of the spinal cords of children who have died af...

To the Editor, The Indian Medical Gazette Sir,?We have read with great interest the ' Study of Yitamin-A Deficiency in Ceylon' by Dr. L. Nicholls, published in the May number of the Indian Medical Gazette. May we, however, suggest that the syndrome he describes is a wider deficiency than merely that of vitamin A. The sore mouth and 'neuritis' symptoms have been described as pellagrous by Stannu...

This report includes the clinical, radiological, morbid anatomical, and histological findings in the lungs of a man who for a continuous period of 45 years had been engaged in the loading and unloading of coal in ships and trains. He presented as a case of congestive cardiac failure with signs of severe pulmonary hypertension. The chief feature in the lungs was the presence of silicoticlike nod...

Conflicting views have been expressed about the incidence of rheumatic fever in the tropics. Fernando (1939) concluded that 'rheumatic infection is an important cause of heart disease among the hospital class of the population of Ceylon and accounts for from anything between one-fourth to one-fifth of the total cardiovascular diseases among them. The incidence, manifestations, virulence and pro...