Psychosomatic illnesses in patients attending the medical outpatient department in a government hospital.

The incidence of psychosomatic illness among Indian patients has been found to be high. Owing to the stigma attached to psychiatric illnesses, most patients remain reluctant to visit a psychiatrist. The result is an overcrowding in the medicine and other specialist departments. A psychiatry department with consultation-liaison psychiatric service in each government hospital is the need of the day.

Bronchopulmonary absorption of aerosolised insulin.

Seven non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients aged 48 to 78 years, inhaled approximately 10 to 20 units of aerosolised insulin (human actrapid) by nebuliser. In 5 cases, approximately 10 units of insulin aerosol inhalation was given 4 hours after breakfast. Blood glucose level started falling after 15 minutes with a maximum fall at 45 minutes to 1 hour. In 2 cases insulin aerosol inhalation was given 2 hours after lunch. The first dose of 10 units of insulin did not show any significant change in blood glucose level at 30 minutes. A second dose of 10 units of insulin aerosol was inhaled after 30 minutes and blood glucose level started falling in a pattern similar to the first group of patients. The first dose appears to withhold the rise of blood glucose in the postprandial phase and the second dose lowers the blood glucose level. The result is compared with placebo inhalation and there is a significant fall of blood glucose level with insulin aerosol inhalation. It admits of little doubt that insulin is absorbed from the bronchopulmonary mucosa.

Effect of instant preparation of betel nut (pan masala) on the oral mucosa of albino rats.

Paste made out of an instant betel nut preparation was painted into the oral cavity of 21 albino rats on alternate days for a period of six months. Biopsies were taken from the oral mucosa at the beginning of the study and every two months there after and compared histopathologically with those obtained from a control group of 14 albino rats. Mild to moderate loss of nuclear polarity and increase in keratoses, parakeratoses, inflammatory cell infiltration and vascularity were noted when compared to the control group. The increase in mitotic figures was statistically insignificant and no definite changes in pigmentation or atypical cells were seen. These findings suggest the possibility of mild leukoplakia. Submucosal collagen increased steeply and steadily throughout the study period and at the end of six months, 88.23 per cent of biopsies showed thickened and condensed sub-mucosal collagen, indicating submucous fibrosis.