Child growth (0-5 years), and the effect of entitlement to a milk supplement.

Twelve hundred and fifty-one pregnant women were contacted and their infants followed to age 5 years. Nine hundred and fifty-one (76%) children completed the trial. Measurements were made of birthweight, length, head circumference, and triceps skinfold at 10 days, and of weight, height, head circumference, and triceps at 5 years. Throughout the entire period of the study half the families, selected at random, were supplied with milk tokens entitling the mother, while pregnant, and all children under age 5 years, to 1 pint of milk a day at half its current price. The tokens led to a small increase in milk purchases by the families and to a small increase in milk drunk by the children. However no effect was detected in any growth measurement either in the total group, or in a more "vulnerable" group of children from the largest families.

Mortality in two radom samples of women aged 55-64 followed up for 20 years.

Two random samples of women aged 55-64 living in the Vale of Glamorgan and the Rhondda Fach were followed up for 20 years. In each sample heights, weights, serum cholesterol concentrations, and specific causes of death were noted and the Quetelet index (weight/height2) calculated. The two samples were combined for analysis of total mortality. In the combined sample there was a strong positive association between Quetlet index and both total mortality and mortality from ischaemic heart disease. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that both of these associations were significant, as was the strong positive association between Quetelet index and mortailty from ischaemic heart disease in the samples considered separately. There was no significant association between cholesterol concentration and mortality from ischaemic heart disease in each sample. There was a small negative association between cholesterol concentration and both total mortaility in the combined sample and ischaemic heart disease in the Rhondda Fach sample. These results suggest that the Quetelet index is important for prognosis, whereas the serum cholesterol concentration is not.

The mortality of men in the Rhondda Fach, 1950--1970.

A more detailed analysis of material from the 20-year follow-up of men in the Rhondda Fach confirms the similarity between the Standardised Mortality Ratios (SMRs) of miners and exminers with radiological categories 0, 1, 2, 3 and A (120.3, 116.5, 119.0, 115.7, and 120.1 respectively) as well as the difference between these SMRs and that of the non-moners (98.7). The specific death rates show a raised SMR for bronchitis and other respiratory diseases excluding pneumoconiosis for all categories including category 0, but little difference between those for category 0 and those for simple pneumoconiosis. The SMRs for ischaemic heart disease and other circulatory diseases for categories A, B and C combined are lower than those for simple pneumoconiosis and category 0 (84.2 and 85.0, compared with 109.8 and 121.8 for simple pneumoconiosis, and 117.5 and 114.6 for category 0). Fortunately the SMR for leukaemia is low. A comparison between the survival rates of men aged 55-64 in Leigh, Lancashire and those in the Rhondda Fach suggests that nonminers in the two areas have similar survival rates while the survival rates for category 0 and simple pneumoconiosis are lower in the Rhondda Fach.

A review of the literature of rotenone, 1,2,12,12a-tetrahydro-8,9-dimethoxy-2-(1-methylethenyl)-1-benzopyrano[3,5-b]furo[2,3-h][1]benzopyran-6(6h)-one.

The chemistry, biotransformation, pharmacology, toxicology, and carcinogenicity of rotenone have been reviewed. Further investigation of the biotransformation pathways of rotenone and other rotenoids should be undertaken. The acute and chronic toxicology, particularly at low concentration, should be determined in order to develop toxicity rating for this class of chemicals. A mutagenic study utilizing all presently available methods would add further knowledge concerning sites of action. More information is required to properly evaluate the hazards to humans from rotenone and other rotenoids. Carcinogenic studies at low concentrations with large groups of rodents must be undertaken to settle the present dilemma of carcinogenicity vs. non-carcinogenicity. Moreover, an epidemiological study of exposed workers might develop information concerning the toxicology of rotenone as well as its possible carcinogenicity to humans.

A pharmacokinetic study of pentachlorophenol poisoning and the effect of forced diuresis.

A pharmacokinetic study of an intentional pentachlorophenol ingestion by an elderly human has been undertaken. Information on the presence or absence of forced diuresis either continuously or for a short restricted period indicates that such treatment would materially reduce the body burden of pentachlorophenol. It is suggested that forced diuresis is the treatment of preference for such intoxication at this time.

Human poisoning with pentachlorophenol and its treatment.

A case of intentional intoxication with pentachlorophenol has been described. Salient features observed included pyrexia, diaphoresis, hyperkinesis, muscle twitching, tremors, epigastric tenderness, leg pain, tachypnea, and tachycardia. The patient's restlessness and agitation were controlled with phenytoin and phenobarbital. Forced diuresis with furosemide and mannitol resulted in a large increase in urinary excretion of pentachlorophenol. It is suggested that such therapy may be life saving in such intoxications.

Pharmacokinetic study of a patient intoxicated with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2-methoxy-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid.

A simultaneous pharmacokinetic study of two chemicals has been conducted on a clinically stabilized human who had intentionally ingested a mixture of 2,4-D and Dicamba. The information developed can be useful to the clinical toxicilogist in the management of similar cases.