A further possibility in the treatment of pneumonia by chemical means appeared with the discovery of the sulphanilamide drugs, e.g. Prontosil Whilst, however, these gave excellent result against streptococcal infections they were relatively useless for pneumonia. A great deal of research ensued and finally a substance, 2-sulphanilyl-aminopyridine or M and B 693, was produced. It has been found to be active against not only streptococci but also meningococci and pneumococci, Evans and Gaisford have used it for pneumonia with quite promising gesulty The temperature falls rapidly and the patient's condition improves marked-
Care must be exercised in the use of the drug. Although it is less toxic than sulphanilamide some individual reactions such as malaise, headache, nausea, and anaemia may occur. Strict dietary control is essential, and all foods and purgatives containing sulphur should be avoided.
The drug acts apparently by destroying the capsules of the Pneumococcus, thus rendering their destruction by the leucocytes of the blood easier.
When M and B 693 is used, routine application of poultices to the chest ud administration of stimulants is often unnecessary.
Oxygen, too, is seldom required unless there is acute respiratory distress. Incidentally the administration of oxygen is by no means the last desperate resort that many believe. Oxygen is most valuable in the early stages of the disease when it relieves the strain on the heart and eases breathing. Its early use indeed often prevents the increase of lung congestion which is so serious a complication of lobar pneumonia, and thereby materially increase chances of recovery.
Of. 100 cases treated by Evans and Gaisford with M and B 693, only eight died, whilst in a control series the mortality was 27 per cent. The Cases were of various types and the response to treatment did not seem to depend on the type of infection. Since this report many others have appeared describing the same dra-ie improvement in a great number of patients and the same extracidinary decrease in mortal Storage of Radium in War Time Radium is not only a valuable but also a very dangerous substance. If, during an air-raid, any quantity of radium was dispersed by violence, the buildings in which it was dispersed, as well as a considerable area surrounding the buildings, would be for many years to come a menace to any people who inhabited them. One-hundredth ofa milligram would probably be fatal if inhaled. It is therefore necessary that steps should be taken to provide for the safe custody of radium in war time, and à conference has been held between representatives of the Ministry of Health and the National Radium Commission, London, to consider this matter.
The National Radium Commission is compiling a register of owners and holders of radium, with a view to satisfactory arrangements being made. The Commission earnestly requests all persons who have radium in their custody or possession (including the responsible oficial of institutions holding radium) to notify the Commission, stating the amount of radium held,
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