The Rôle of Vitamins in Tropical Diseases

Although the subject on which I am to address you this evening is one of recent growth, a proper understanding of its various aspects is of prime importance not only to the pathologist but to the general practitioner in this country. In fact, I hope to demonstrate clearly in the course of this lecture that vitaminic deficiency in its broad sense is a potent?if not the most potent ?factor in the production of ill-health in tropical countries. Hindhede the Dane, quoted by McCarrison, is reported to have said that " the principal cause of death lies in food and drink." The bacteriologist would probably smile and say