Insects as a group occupy a middle ground in the biosphere between bacteria and viruses at one extreme, amphibians and mammals at the other. The size and general nature of insects present special problems to the student of entomology. For example, many commercially available instruments are geared to measure in grams, while the forces commonly encountered in stUdying insects are in the milligram range. Therefore, techniques developed in the study of insects or in those fields concerned with the control of insect pests are often unique. Methods for measuring things are common to all sciences. Advances sometimes depend more on how something was done than on what was measured; indeed a given field often progresses from one technique to another as new methods are discovered, developed, and modified. Just as often, some of these techniques find their way into the classroom when the problems involved have been sufficiently ironed out to permit students to master the manipulations in a few laboratory periods. Many specialized techniques are confined to one specific research laboratory. Although methods may be considered commonplace where they are used, in another context even the simplest procedures may save considerable time. It is the purpose of this series (1) to report new developments in methodology, (2) to reveal sources of groups who have dealt with and solved particular entomological problems, and (3) to describe experiments which may be applicable for use in biology laboratory courses.

The development of new technology means that compromised patients previously confined to hospital may now be treated at home. Those patients receiving intravenous feeding, cytotoxic drugs and new insulin therapy, are fully trained by the health-care professionals (doctors, pharmacists and nurses) to encourage self-reliance and understanding which are vital to success. There are hazards in treating these patients in the home environment, e.g. microbiological risks which are currently being evaluated, failure of equipment, and social problems as patients adjust to a new life in the community. Neverthless, the balance of benefits favour restoration of the patient to a self-reliant positive life at home. The delivery of this important new dimension in therapy was described at a symposium held in the University of York by innovators in the field. Discussion enabled the core of knowledge and experience developed by multi-disciplinary teams to be shared. The problems of supplying parenteral nutrition and medication for the compromised patient in the home and the family situation were aired and solutions presented. The special care for hospital out-patients receiving cytotoxic drug therapy and safe procedures for staff handling these agents was presented and together with responses to questions indicated the direction for UK hospital pharmacists to follow. More information is needed and it is hoped that this account of these proceedings will stimulate interest in these aspects of health care.