In Cambodia, the energy and nutrient densities of the traditional rice-based complementary diets used for infant feeding are very low. Whether the adequacy improves after the first year of life is uncertain. Therefore, we examined the feeding practices and the energy and nutrient intakes from non-breastmilk foods (NBMFs) of two groups: partially breastfed (PBF) (n = 41) and non-breastfed (NBF) (n = 210) stunted toddlers aged 12-42 months from poor villages in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Intakes of NBMFs were estimated from 24-h recalls and a specially constructed Cambodian food composition table. All the toddlers were breastfed initially, but more than 50% received complementary foods before 6 months of age (mainly rice porridge). Many PBF toddlers received mixed feeding and were often bottle-fed diluted sweetened condensed milk. Unresponsive feeding was widespread. Inappropriate snacks, such as crisps, were the major source of energy, calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin A from NBMFs for the PBF group, and energy and iron for the NBF group. The snacks were often purchased and consumed without any adult supervision. For both groups, intakes of energy, calcium, iron and zinc were consistently below recommendations, as a result of the low micronutrient density of NBMFs and the small amounts fed per feeding. Increasing intakes of animal-source foods and dark-green and yellow fruits and vegetables would enhance micronutrient densities, although this may be neither feasible nor sufficient to overcome the existing deficits. Instead, the feasibility of micronutrient fortification of the rice-based diets of Cambodian toddlers should be explored.

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Zealand, 87 patients (28 paucibacillary disease (PBD) and 59 multi bacillary disease (MBD)) commenced WHO multidrug therapy (MDT). All were immigrants from the Pacific Islands (65) or Asia (22). A total of 57 patients had already received non-WHO regimens, some continuously, but often intermittently, for many years; 30 patients received WHO MDT only. By December 1990,50 had completed treatment, with I relapse and I late reaction, both in patients with PBD treated with WHO MDT only. There have been no relapses in those treated with WHO MDT after prior leprosy treatment. In those with MBD, type II leprosy reactions were less common (16%) in those treated only with WHO MDT than in those treated continuously before 1983 with older regimens (64%). Type I leprosy reactions occurred in about 20% of both these groups. The bacterial index fell faster in those who had had a prolonged prior treatment beginning WHO MDT than in those starting WHO MDT as their initial leprosy chemotherapy. Overall we found WHO MDT was well accepted and the compliance good, but 13 patients (15%) left Auckland before treatment was completed and 6 (7%) during follow up.

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MEDICAL OFFICERS OF HEALTH TO LONDON BOROUGIHS. SIR,-The election this week of Borough Councils will help the creation of local interest in the administration of local affairs. In no case will this be moreimportant than in the department of public health. Not only the well-being of the district but the healthbof London depends on the work of the medical officer of health and his staff. The creation of local Interest may mean in some instances that a medical manobf influence practising in the district will aspire to the post of medical officer of heAlth. Is it desirable that such medical