One hundred and thirteen symptomatic victims of methyl isocyanate (MIC) toxicity were investigated by peforming maximal expiratory flow volume measurement sequentially for 18 months. Expiratory flows remained low and inspiratory flows declined. Abnormalities of the flow volume loop included saw tooth (12.3%). doming (16.5%), hesitation (25.8%) in inspiration and doming (30%) and concavity (53.6%) during expiration. The changes persisted despite improved spirometric values.

Sputa from 114 patients with chronic lung disease were analysed. Thirteen patients (11.4%) exhibited colonisation with Pseudomonas aeruginosa; 11 of these thirteen strains (84.6%) produced proteases, nine produced haemolysin (76.90%). Multiantibiotic resistance appears to correlate with production of extracellular virulence factors.

Ninety two patients of hydatidosis were analysed over a five year period (1981-85). Pulmonary involvement was seen in 48.9%. Maximum incidence was in third and fourth decades, females constituted 53.3% of those affected. Most common site was right lower lobe. Cough was the most frequent symptom.

Hydatid Pulmonary cyst can present in many ways. Its presentation as a large loculated pleural effusion is described. The patient had developed pulmonary complictions during aspiration and recovered.

A comparison of 34 stable asthmatics and 20 COPD patients for detecting airway obstruction and response to bronchodilator is reported. In COPD group, changes in Raw correlated well with FEV1 and MEFR but not in asthmatic group. For detecting significant bronchoreversibility there was no significant superiority of Raw over FEV1 and MEFR.

A case of fibrous mesothelioma of pleura in a boy aged 18 years is presented here because of its rarity and unusual pathological features. An intact mesothelial lining over the tumour warranted its designation as submesothelioma rather than mesothelioma.

A histopathologic study of the renal tissue obtained by percutaneous needle biopsy was carried out in 35 subjects suffering from active pulmonary tuberculosis. 24 (68.5%) of them had proteinuria and 18 (51.5%) oedema. There was no evidence of renal tuberculosis. Four subjects (11.4%) exhibited tissue amyloidosis and it was associated with massive proteinuria and hypercholesterolaemia. Non-specific change in the form of cloudy swelling was frequent (20%). The renal involvement in some form or other was noted in 16 (45.7%) cases. Twelve subjects with proteinuria exhibited normal histology. Generally the renal lesions in pulmonary tuberculosis pursue a subclinical course and in majority they remain asymptomatic.

Sarcoidosis manifesting as superior vena caval syndrome is rare. Two patients with this syndrome are described. Both responded well to steroid medication.