s communication (6 July, p. 31) in which the use of corticosteroids was life-saving by reducing oedema in a case of cerebral malaria. On the same rationale I have employed corticosteroids in my last two cases of laryngeal diphtheria. Both children (aged 1 years and 6 months) had faucial membrane and stridor with indrawing of the ribs. The children had been ill for three and four days respectively. In addition to my previous routine treatment of anti-diphtheria serum (each received 20,000

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... penicillin, and inhalation, these children also received 25 mg. of cortisone intramuscularly followed by oral corticosteroids. As the second child remained critical, a further 25 mg. of cortisone intramuscularly was given after six hours. Both children made dramatic improvement, and within 12 hours were virtually free of stridor. Without cortisone, I am sure the second child would have died, either with or without tracheostomy, and perhaps the first child also. Subsequent recovery also seemed quicker and smoother than with previous cases not treated with cortisone. The oral dose was tailed off within the next five days.-I am, etc.,