A rare case of concurrent herpes zoster and varicella probably precipitated by tuberculous lymphadenitis has been reported and relevant literature is reviewed.

Fifty-one patients of, pyoderma due to group a streptococci were treated with a single intramuscular injection of 600,000 to 1,200,000 units of benzathine penicillin. In 7 patients staphylococci were also present. A satisfactory response was obtained in 47 (91%) patients. No adverse effects were encountered. Single injection treatment of pyoderma with benzathine penicillin appears to be effective, well tolerated and convenient.

The need for alternative antibiotics, in view of the increasing incidence of penicillin and other antibiotic resistance in gonorrhoea, is stressed. Forty eight male patients and one female patient who attended the VD Department, Govt. Erskine Hospital, Madurai, during the year 1970, with acute uncomplicated gonorrhoea were treated with single doses of 900 mgms of rifampicin (Rimactane-ciba). The drug was tolerated well and there were no side-effects. Of the 42 patients, who were followed up after treatment, 36 were considered cured, while 5 patients failed to respond and one had a reinfection. The cure rate of 87.8% in this series compares favourably with other reports with rimactane. Rifampicin has an advantage over other antibiotics, in the treatment of gonorrhoea, in that, it is inactive against spirochaetes in the doses employed and does not mask co-existing early syphilis.

Capyna-compound is an indigenous drug (a mixture of herbal preparations) which though a general tonic, also shows antiurticarial activity. It has neither antihistaminic nor antiserotonin like activity. It has given relief to 80% of acute and 95% of chronic case of urticaria without any side effects.

Jadit ointment was tried in 30 cases of superficial fungal infections. Four clinical types were included in this series. Response to treatment was found good in 30% and excellent in 43%. On the whole 73% of the patients responded well to Jadit which is very encouraging with a topical antimyotic agent. It was well tolerated by all patients and there were no side effects.

Thirty patients with chronic eczema of various types -were selected to compare the efficacy of Beclomethasone dipropionate 0.025% + chinoform and Betamethasone 17 valerate 0.12% + chinoform in a single blind study. Good to excellent response was obtained in 73% with Beclomethasone dipropionate and 80% with betamethasone 17 valerate ointment. Overall result showed that both preparations were very effective in achieving satisfactory response. No side erects were noted.

Three cases of tuberculids are presented and the concept of tuberculids is analyzed.

Syphilis in India has now reached a proportion to constitute a major health problem. The knowledge and techniques of prevention and control of syphilis are now well established. To use the knowledge it is necessary to have correct data on the incidence of the disease. Serological test for syphilis is a simple case finding tool. Data on the prevalence of the disease based on hospital record has limitations. Therefore a case is made for routine serological testing for syphilis of industrial recruits as it would reflect a near picture of general cross-section of the population.