Medicine: Capsules, Aug. 13, 1973

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>Like Chemie Grünenthal, the German firm that developed thalidomide, Britain's giant Distillers Co. still denies that it was negligent in marketing the drug. But last week, after long legal battles, the company did accept responsibility for the children born deformed after their mothers took the drug, which was prescribed as a tranquilizer during pregnancy. With the approval of Britain's High Court, Distillers finally agreed to set aside $50 million to compensate 433 victims of the drug and their families. Under the settlement, $15 million will be distributed immediately and $35 million placed in trust to assure lifelong care for the victims, some of whom will never be able to care for themselves.

>The most widely recognized hazard to participants in the country's fastest-growing sport is epicondylitis, or tennis elbow (TIME, May 14). Now a New York City physician has identified still another threat to tennis players. Writing in the Archives of Dermatology, Dr. Richard C. Gibbs reports that he has been treating an increasing number of players with "tennis toes." The condition is characterized by the discoloration of toenails—usually on the longest toes—which turn bluish-violet. Sometimes they even come off. It is caused, Gibbs says, by hemorrhaging that occurs beneath the toenail when the player stops abruptly; the forward motion of his body slams his feet into the tips of his sneakers with enough force to bruise tissue and rupture small blood vessels. Tennis toes are somewhat painful, but the average tennis player plays on. For those seeking treatment, Gibbs recommends cold compresses and rest. Actually, it is easier to prevent the problem. All a player has to do is wear soft-toed tennis shoes.