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Numerous reports on the constituents of parotid and submandibular saliva have appeared in the literature. Validity of these reports is obviously dependent, at least in part, on obtaining multiple specimens from great numbers of subjects without contamination by oral fluids, food debris, and bacteria. The development of the Carlson-Crittenden cup' and its subsequent modifications2 have effectively solved this problem. The problem of pure submandibular fluid collection has not been so easily resolved.The Schneyer appliance4 and its subsequent modifications5 6 have served useful purposes but each has significant disadvantages. For example, a custom-made appliance requires much time and effort for fabrication. This alone makes it useless in field work or for use in one patient at a time when large volumes of pure fluid must be collected with simple equipment in short periods of time. On the other hand, the much simplified appliance of Block and Brottman6 is not stable without the addition of irreversible impression materials to the floor of the mouth; without the use of these materials, gross contamination of the specimen may result. The purpose of this study was to develop a universal submandibular saliva collector that would simplify the collection of uncontaminated saliva from either an individual patient or populations of patients in the field and laboratory.Materials and Methods To determine the proper shape and size of an appliance that would have universal application consistent with normal anatomic variation, the following clinical observations were made on 40 adults and 20 children:1.

SUMMARY A written questionnaire suitable for obtaining comprehensive genetic family data was developed. The questionnaire was designed to solicit information on the name, date of birth, sex, health problems, date of death (if deceased), spouse, abortions, stillbirths, and offspring of the patient plus first, second, and some third degree relatives of the patient.The questionnaire was evaluated for its effectiveness in obtaining an accurate and complete family history. During the first phase, 77 completed questionnaires were continuously assessed, and the questionnaire was modified until the present version evolved. Using the present version, 60 completed questionnaires disclosed only 15 problems, 10 of them minor.The questionnaire was also designed in conjunction with a computer programme developed for the entry of pedigree data. This programme is part of the computer system, MEGADATS, which is used for the acquisition, storage, and manipulation of genetic family data.The questionnaire offers these advantages over the pedigree obtained at the time of the clinic visit: (1) permits consultation with other family members, (2) saves clinic time, (3) gives prior knowledge of reason for clinic appointment, (4) anamnestic infallibility, (5) time is available to check for family record linkage, (6) computer adaptability for entering pedigree data, and (7) basic format can be modified easily. A modified sample questionnaire is presented in the Appendix.As the demand for genetic counselling services increases, more efficient methods to ensure the accurate and complete acquisition of genetic family data in the easiest possible way must be developed. Also, as computer facilities are being used more frequently to help expedite the processing of data, new methods must take into account the restrictions placed upon data collection so they will be in a format suitable for ease of entry into the computer system. The development and use of a written family history questionnaire which was designed in conjunction with an interactive computer programme developed to enter family data, code the data, and draw a family pedigree represents one method of facilitating the collection of family data.In this paper we discuss the design of the questionnaire, its use by the patients and clinical personnel in the

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