Medicine: Capsules, Feb. 23, 1953

¶ Because they do not get enough protein in their diet between weaning and the age at which they can forage for themselves, countless children in Asia, Africa and South America suffer from kwashiorkor (a West African word meaning red boy), Capetown's Dr. John F. Brock reported in Manhattan. Fed mainly on manioc gruel, they are stunted and their skin and hair lose pigment, making them look reddish or grey. For short-term relief, U.N. agencies are supplying thousands of tons of dried skim milk, rich in protein. But in the long run, said Dr. Brock, these primitive peoples must be taught to feed their children beans, which they can raise.

¶ Two out of three people in the U.S. have no dentist, said Public Health Service Consultant Frank F. Law; there are 700 million undrilled cavities, 300 million teeth that need to be pulled, and not nearly enough dentists to do the job.

¶ Lozenges containing benzocaine and trade-named Flavettes helped three-quarters of his patients cut down smoking and still keep their weight down, Dr. William L. Gould of Albany. N. Y. reports. Since the lozenges also contain licorice, ginger and oils of anise, wintergreen, coriander and cloves, they naturally spoil the appetite for tobacco and food as well.