Distribution of hair on the phalanges of the hand in Nigerians.

Data on the frequency and patterns of hair distribution on the phalanges of the hand are available from different parts of the world. However, the literature reveals that the African continent has so far not been explored adequately in this respect. The present investigation was undertaken to document the findings from Nigeria. A random sample of 585 male and female students and staff of the University of Calabar, Nigeria, between the ages of 18 and 30 years were examined. All the cases considered were Nigerians born to Nigerian parents. It was interesting to observe that in 4% of the males and in 5% of the females hair on the first phalanx was absent which has not been reported so far in any other population. The presence of hair on the middle phalanx also was significantly less (21%) as compared to the findings of other authors in different populations. The distal phalanges never showed hair which is quite in agreement with the reports from other workers. Although there is a wide range of variation in presence or absence of hair on the middle phalanx from one population to another, the frequency order remains 4 greater than 3 greater than 5 greater than 2 in all of them including the present report. Further, it is obvious that the frequency of phalangeal hair is lowest in Africans (21%) and highest in the white race (70%). Other races are in between these values.

Patterns of superficial veins of the cubital fossa in Nigerian subjects.

Patterns of superficial veins of the cubital fossa were studied in 300 persons in Nigeria. Five types were observed in this study. The commonest pattern found in Nigerians was the median cubital vein arising from the cephalic vein a little below the level of the elbow (62% in males and 49% in females). To some extent this incidence is comparable with the findings in Americans (70%) and Britishers (53%). However, there is a clear contrast when compared with Japanese (84%) and Indians (16%). The next commonest pattern in Nigerians was the median vein of the forearm dividing into two and joining the basilic and cephalic veins (24-30%). This pattern was also comparable with Americans and Britishers but is in clear contrast to the findings in Indians and Japanese. The incidence of the other patterns was very low in this as well as in all other reports.

Therapeutic efficacy of human anti-tetanic globulin--a clinical study of 100 cases.

The present study was performed to evaluate clinically the therapeutic efficacy of human anti-tetanic globulin in established cases of tetanus. The study was conducted in 100 patients in India with tetanus receiving treatment at P.B.M. Hospital, Bikaner. The human anti-tetanic globulin was given in addition to equine anti-tetanic serum, to all those patients who could afford to purchase the same, irrespective of age, sex or the severity of the disease, during the period of study. Except for the administration of human anti-tetanic globulin, the management of all the patients was identical. The study revealed that human anti-tetanic globulin is effective for patients with a short period of onset. Patients having prolonged spasms at frequent intervals were also the beneficiaries, to some extent. The hospitalization period of all the patients receiving human anti-tetanic globulin was shortened.

The teratogenic effects of dietary Cassava on the pregnant albino rat: a preliminary report.

Cassava is a tuberous root of a shrublike plant cultivated in tropical rain forests as a staple food in South Eastern Nigeria. Reports are on record showing correlation between cassava intake and occurrence of various types of neuropathies (Money, '59; Monekosso and Wilson, '66; Osuntokun et al., '68,'69). About 0.1-2 mg of cyanide/100 gm is released from Cassava by action of hydrolase (Paula and Rangel, '46). It has been suspected by several local clinicians as a cause of congenital anomalies if consumed in excess during pregnancy. However, it remains a controversial problem and precise scientific data is lacking. This study was conducted on albino rats by giving them milled cassava powder as 50% and 80% of their diet during the first 5 days of pregnancy. Fetuses collected on day 20 from the group receiving cassava as 80% of the diet showed a low incidence of limb defects, open eye, microcephaly, and growth retardation in the rat. Interpretation of this data for the human should be made with caution.

Skeletal malformations induced by mitomycin C in chick embryos.

One hundred and eighty chick embryos were studied for the presence of skeletal malformations after administration of mitomycin C at 72, 96 and 120 hours of incubation. Axial skeleton defects included those of ribs, vertebrae, beak and crania. Appendicular skeletal defects were mainly confined to the lower limbs e.g. absence of phalanges, bent and shortened femur, fibula, tibia and metatarsus, in that order. Absence of phalanges and curved scapulae were noted in the upper limbs. The length of femur, tibia and metatarsus was significantly reduced (P less than 0.001) compared with the corresponding controls especially in the group treated at 96 h.