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The multiple regression equation predicting lung function values for a study population of South African Blacks is compared with equations predicting normal values for Blacks elsewhere, and in almost all cases is found to predict higher values. This is so despite the study population's high prevalence of respiratory disease and long history of exposure to crocidolite asbestos dust. This anomalous finding is explored in terms of some problems with studies generating normal values. In particular, the confounding effect of social class status on ethnic determinants of lung function is considered. Low 'normal' values for Blacks reported from South Africa and elsewhere are examined. The disadvantages to workers of being evaluated in relation to low norms are discussed in terms of preventive medicine and workmen's compensation. The application of a universal standard for all is proposed.

The cestode, Metroliasthes lucida, is reported for the first time from the eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) in Rhode Island, United States; this is the first published record from New England. One of eight birds examined was infected with 10 cestodes.

Conventional gallium scans are not useful to evaluate patients with metastatic melanoma. We evaluated a new method of tomographic gallium imaging. One hundred fourteen tomographic scans were obtained in a prospective surveillance study of 67 patients over a 3-year period. Scans were evaluated and compared to findings of independent clinical evaluations. Sensitivity of gallium identification of tumor involving peripheral lymph nodes and soft tissues, abdomen, mediastinum, and osseous sites was 68% to 100%; overall sensitivity of this technique is 82% with specificity of 99% in 570 organ system assessments. Analysis of discordant findings when a site was clinically occult but gallium-positive showed gallium uptake to be true-positive in six of seven lymphatic sites, three of three lung and mediastinal sites, six of six abdominal sites, but in no brain or bone sites. Gallium lesions identified by computed tomographic scans proved to be false-positive at one lymphatic and one bone site, and false-negative at four otherwise clinically evident lymph node and soft tissue sites, seven pulmonary sites, and four brain sites. Gallium tomographic scanning provides a composite assessment of melanoma and may eliminate the need for other studies.

The respiratory health of 268 brickworkers in five brickworks was investigated by means of a questionnaire, a physical examination, and pulmonary function testing. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms ranged from 7% for chronic bronchitis to 52% for morning cough to 27% for both chest tightness and wheeze and 9% for dyspnea at effort. A stepwise logistic regression analysis showed the symptoms to be significantly predicted by combinations of smoking and exposure to dust, while a multiple linear regression showed an effect of dust exposure on forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s but no smoking effect. Smoking generally had less of an effect than dust and predicted early/mild symptoms only.