Treatment of diabetes mellitus with Coccinia indica.

In alpha-chain disease a number of apparent cures have been obtained with cytotoxic drugs or tetracycline either alone or in combination with prednisolone.' Early diagnosis, at a stage when secreted free alpha chains may not be easily detectable, is therefore important. We have found that a sensitive immunofluorescence test of biopsy specimens can analyse individual plasma cells simultaneously for alpha chain and light chain production. This technique should contribute to early diagnosis.