Principles and Practice of War Surgery

SIR, As you are aware, the problems of war-time production and distribution have done much to foster a spirit of co-operative effort among firms in all branches of industry. The benefits which have accrued from such collaboration have in many cases been so conspicuous as to foreshadow its continuance after the war, to the advantage of producer and consumer alike. Particularly noteworthy steps in this direction have been made by the four firms entrusted with the manufacture of insulin in Great Britain. These firms, mindful of their special responsibilities to the diabetic community, have throughout the war period pooled their research, manufacturing and distributive facilities to ensure an adequate and uninterrupted supply of their products to those in daily need of them and to reduce their prices, in the face of rising material and labour costs, to the lowest practicable level. A recent development of this fruitful collaboration is of such far-reaching significance that a short account of it mav be of interest to your readers. Three distinct types of insulin-Unnmodified Insulin, Protamine Zinc Insulin and Globin Insulin (with Zinc)-ate in regular use in this country. Alternative strengths of two of these make a total of six different preparations and confusion between them might easily be attended by serious consequences. To reduce this possibility to a minimum, the British Insulin Manufacturers have agreed to sacrifice the goodwill attached to their individual styles of packaging in favour of a uniform design for labels and cartons, by which each type and strength of insulin, of whatever make, will be readily identifiable by a distinctive colour scheme. This decision has met with the unqualified approval of leading medical authorities and of the Ministry of Health, and is one example of the way in which the British drug and fine chemical industry is meeting its responsibilities in the maintenance of the nation's health services. Yours very truly, The Wellcome Foundation Ltd. C. GORDON OAKEN, Director on behalf of ALLEN & HANBURYS LTD. BoOTS PURE DRUG COMPANY LTD. THE BRITISH DRUG HoUSEs LTD. BURROUGHS WELLCOME & CO.