1. Bull, B. S., Rubenberg, M. L., Dacie, J. V., and Brain, M. C. (1967). Lancet, 2, 1123.
2. Rubenberg, M. L., Bull, B. S., Regoeczi, E., Dacie, J. V., and Brain, M. C. (1967). Ibid., 2, 1121.
3. BROWN (Dundee) N acetyl para amino phenol was discovered in 1889, recognized as a metabolite of phenacetin with good analgesic properties in 1949, and introduced into British clinical medicine in 1956;G, R.A.
4. Since then reported toxic effects have been few and the sales of various paracetamol-containing compounds have increased to an estimated 680 million in,1967
5. During 1967, five patients admitted to Dundee Royal Infirmary were cases of paracetamol self poisoning. In three, there was histological evidence of hepatic damage, varying from centrilobular fatty change and cloudy swelling to frank centrilobular necrosis, along with an increase in lipofuscin pigmentation and increased mitotic activity signifying regeneration. The remaining two showed clinical evidence of hepatic derangement. In one, a fatal case, there was renal damage. The capsular spaces contained a foamy lace-like material-presumably proteinous-which spilt over into the proximal convoluted tubules and there was evidence of distal tubular degeneration with focal necrosis. The renal papillae appeared intact