TREATMENT OF ITCHING—A Preliminary Report on Results with a New Oral Antipruritic

A new antipruritic, trimeprazine, was used in the treatment of itching associated with a variety of dermatologic disorders in 215 patients.Good to excellent relief of itching was experienced by 71 per cent of the patients, fair relief by 15 per cent and poor relief by 14 per cent.Side effects included mild and transient drowsiness or dizziness that cleared spontaneously; six cases of drowsiness that necessitated discontinuance of the drug; three cases of drowsiness that was controlled by reduction of the dosage; and one case of generalized eruption that cleared upon discontinuance of the drug.     

FUNNEL CHEST (PECTUS EXCAVATUM) IN INFANCY AND ADULT LIFE

Funnel chest, unless corrected, may lead to cardiorespiratory distress or psychic problems or both. Since operation to correct the deformity is relatively simple in infancy and much more extensive if done later, early surgical intervention is indicated. If the condition is not noted until the patient is beyond infancy, cardiorespiratory studies will aid in determining the advisability of operation.