We present here the protective effects of an Indian medicinal plant Tinospora cordifolia as compared to gentamicin in E. Coli induced peritonitis. Pretreatment with tinospora cordifolia or gentamicin reduced mortality in mice injected with 1 x 10(8) E. coli intraperitoneally from 100% in controls to 17.8% and 11.1% respectively. This was associated with significantly improved bacterial clearance as well as improved phagocytic and intracellular bactericidal capacities of neutrophils in the Tinospora cordifolia treated group. In the gentamicin treated mice although bacterial clearance was rapid, polymorph phagocytosis was depressed. Tinospora cordifolia did not possess in vitro bactericidal activity. The results demonstrate that a "prohost approach" may be beneficial in the therapy of peritonitis.

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An unusual case of endodermal sinus tumor (EST) of the ovary at an extragonadal site-vulva, in an unmarried female of 25 yr is reported. The patient presented only with a vulval swelling on the right side without any other signs or symptoms. The internal genital organs mainly the ovaries were normal.

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While investigating a chest opacity in Behcet's disease possibility of pulmonary aneurysm should be considered. Contrast enhanced CT is a safe diagnostic method which is useful in confirming or excluding the presence of an aneurysm in such cases. We report here the first case of bilateral pulmonary aneurysms in Behcet's disease.

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A rare case of a bizarre parosteal osteochondroma in the foot is presented. The tumour first described in 1983 by Nore et al is rare in any location and has to be differentiated from a juxta-cortical osteosarcoma and a benign osteosarcoma. Its differentiating characteristics are discussed.

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A simple random survey of 9863 population out of the total 70,000 population is one slum pocket of Bombay revealed drug dependence in 104 persons. Out of 104, 83.65% smoked 'brown sugar' 10.68% used cannabis and 5.77% opium. Most of the addicts (95.2%) belonged to large families. Family history of alcoholism and drug abuse was present in 41.35%. Parental deprivation was additional contributing factor in 30.7%.

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Hemoglobin was estimated by Sahli's and Drabkin's method in samples collected by finger prick and venepuncture. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in the hemoglobin values obtained by the two methods (P less than .01 & P less than .05 respectively). Sahli's method carried out by two different groups of workers in samples of blood collected by venepuncture showed statistically significant difference (P less than .001). This could be due to the inbuilt errors of Sahli's method including a subjective bias due to visual comparison. When same samples were subjected to Drabkin's method by the same group of workers no significant difference in the results were obtained (P less than .05). This is due to reliability of the Drabkins method. The aim of this comparative study of hemoglobin estimation by Sahli's and Drabkin's methods is to emphasize the sensitivity and reliability of Drabkin's over Sahli's and utility of Drabkin's method in undergraduate teaching schedule.

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The aim of this study was to assess whether 2 dimensional echocardiography can provide reliable parameters to quantitatively estimate pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Twenty subjects, 16 males and 4 females, mean age 54.5 year +/- 4.92 were evaluated. Right ventricular dimensions were measured using subcostal 2- dimensional (2D) approach viz. right ventricular maximum short axis (Rv) and tricuspid annulus (TA). Free right ventricular anterior wall (AW) was measured by M-Mode. A 2D Index was calculated RV x TA + Aw and the same correlated with mean pulmonary artery pressure (r = 0.97). This appears to be a useful non-invasive method foe estimating PH in cases of COPD.

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Characteristically continuous facial myokymia is a pathognomonic, exceedingly rare physical sign of intrinsic brain-stem lesions e.g. multiple sclerosis (where the myokymia lasts only for a few months), pontine glioma (where it is unremitting for years). The physiopathogenesis is unclear. Electromyographic patterns are characteristic. Therapy and prognosis are related to the basic aetio-pathological process. Only two out of 132 cases of intrinsic brain-stem lesions in the department of Neurosurgery, Seth G.s. Medical College, Bombay over a period of 3 decades, exemplify its rarity. These two cases are reported here and the relevant literature is reviewed.

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Clinical features and serial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of 50 patients who underwent myelography with iophendylate were studied. Forty two patients (84%) developed one or more features suggestive of meningism lasting for 2-4 days. There was significant rise in the average (mean) CSF counts from 9.81 in the premyelogram sample to 532.6 at the end of 24 hours (p less than 0.001). Both neutrophil and lymphocyte (p less than 000) count increased. At the end of one week, there was significant decrease of total cells in the CSF to 204 (p less than 0.001). Both, neutrophils and lymphocytes decreased. There was significant rise in total proteins in the 24 hours sample, but the fall at one week was not significant statistically. The sugar and chloride values did not change significantly. All CSF samples were negative for bacterial cultures. In conclusion, a significant proportion of the patients undergoing iophendylate myelography develop clinical features suggestive of meningeal irritation and change in the CSF fractions suggestive of meningitis: however these changes are transient and do not warrant institution of chemotherapy or steroids.

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Conjunctival impression cytology was used to study conjunctival ocular surface in 30 normal individuals in the age group of 20 to 60 years. The cytology was graded according to the classification of Nelson. Out of 30 subjects, 26 showed the features of Grade O (average age 28.33 years) and 4 showed grade 1 (average age 56.66 years). The method was very easy to perform, cheap and fast. The relationship of various cells to each other was maintained. This method can be used to study the conditions like trachoma, avitaminosis A and other disorders of conjunctival surface. It can be undertaken by a paramedical worker in an out patient clinic.

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The batch of 147 undergraduate medical students (Group I) were trained in maternal and child health (MCH) by allotting them families study wherein either pregnant lady or a new born child was present. The students were made to follow up these mothers and their children for three years on periodic basis by paying home visits and motivating the mothers to attend under five clinic in the community. The students educated the mother regarding child rearing with the help of medical teacher. Another batch of 140 undergraduate medical students (Group II) who did not undergo such community based training but only didactic lectures in MCH were studied as control. The knowledge and attitudes of students in both the groups were tested and compared and significantly higher knowledge and favourable attitude were found in Group I. The attendance of patients of Group I in under five clinics was compared with other children who were not adopted by medical students. The comparison was made between their weight gain, immunizational status and episodes of illness. The beneficiaries in students families had better, attendance and immunizational coverage, more weight gain and less episodes of illness. The difference was found to be statistically significant.

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A Case of extraosseous mesenchymal chondrosarcoma occurring in the occipital region in a 26 year old male is being reported. The patient remained free from recurrence on any metastasis even after 2 years of the tumor resection.

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Fibromatosis of thyroid gland is a rare condition encountered in surgical practice. Clinically presenting as goitre, it is treated with near total thyroidectomy with good results. We had one such case under our care at the K.E.M. Hospital, Bombay. Rarity of this condition prompted us to publish the data, the literature is briefly reviewed.

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Twenty one surgically documented cases of Meckel's diverticulum in children treated at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal since 1981 are reviewed. Of them, 14 presented with intestinal obstruction, 2 with pain abdomen, 2 with Littre's hernia and 2 were found incidentally. Only one patient presented with gastrointestinal bleeding. The clinical profile of these patients is analyzed.

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Renal angiomyolipoma, a rare benign renal neoplasm constitutes less than 3 percent of all renal neoplasm. Two rare cases of renal angiomyolipoma were reported from the Department of Pathology, Dr. S.N. Medical College, Jodhpur in last fifteen years. Both were not associated with tuberous sclerosis. The relevant literature on the subject is reviewed.

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