224

the other (quinine) exerting its influence through some defence mechanisms
of the body. Owing to its slow excretion atebrin appears to exert a more
prolonged action than quinine.

     The treatment of chronic intestinal amoebiasis presents many difficul-
ties in the tropics and none of the treatments recommended are satisfac-
tory. Chemotherapeutic studies were conducted both in the laboratory as
well as in the hospital with the alkaloids of Holarrhena antidysenterica
(Kurchi), an organic arsenic derivative called carbarsone, yatren and other
drugs. A preparation of the total alkaloids from H. antidysenterica called
kurchi-bismuth-iodide and an organic compound of arsenic carbarsone gave
encouraging results.

VII. Biological standardisation of drugs on the Indian market.

     A large number of drugs on the market were biologically assayed in the
department of pharmacology and were found not to possess the thera-
peutic activity that they are alleged to have. The high atmospheric tem-
perature, combined with a high degree of humidity, produces deterioration
during storage. Those manufactured in India, including some of the potent
compounds of arsenic and antimony, are subject to no control whatever by
the State and consequently they vary a great deal in strength. In 1930,
the Drug Inquiry Committee was appointed by the Government of India
to go fully into the question of drug adulteration in India. This committee
recommended the urgent need for the standardisation of drugs and for legis-
lative measures to control the drug trade and industry. In the absence of
any legislation the Indian market is glutted with products of inferior quality
and this constitutes a serious menace to the public health. It is gratifying
to note that as a result of the recommendations of this committee, the
Government of India have taken steps to introduce a bill to control the
import of adulterated drugs into India. A laboratory consisting of Bio-
assay and Pharmaceutical sections has also been recently established under
the direction of Brevet Colonel R. N. Chopra to analyse and assay the
purity and potency of medicinal preparations in the Indian market. It is
hoped that the provincial governments will now bring in legislation to
control the manufacture of drugs on the lines recommended by the Drugs
Enquiry Committee.

CANCER.

     The extent to which Cancer prevails in India has been the subject of
considerable speculation. Most writers on the subject have indulged in
assertions based on little or no investigation and have tried to account for
the supposed rarity of Cancer in India according to their pet theories.
Mortality statistics in India except in Presidency towns are not based on
proper death certificates. Even in Presidency towns the certification is
often of a perfunctory and misleading nature. Death rate due to many
infectious diseases, which have disappeared from most civilised countries,
is still very high in India and expectation of life very low. The anemia

Contributed by Dr. Vishwa Nath, M.D., B.S. (Punj.), F.R.C.P. (Ireland).