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SIR,-In the article on carisoprodol under the heading of " To-day's Drugs " (23 May, p. 1363) it is stated that there have been no published reports on the use of carisoprodol in cerebral palsy in Great Britain.I would like to mention that in 1962 I published two articles on a preliminary trial and a double-blind trial of carisoprodol in cerebral palsy.' 2 Although the trials were not completely convincing they did suggest that the drug was responsible for an improvement in certain cases of severe athetosis and in some cases of spastic diplegia. The drug is worth trying in cases of athetosis with marked extensor spasm and in cases of spasticity where there is an element of superadded emotional tension. I understand that this is the impression gained after use of this drug in other centres here and abroad.-I am, etc., Hortham Hospital, GRACE E. WOODS. Almondsbury, nr. Bristol. REFERENCES

Twenty-three patients in severe diabetic ketoacidosis were followed by continuous electrocardiographic monitoring using Lead II of the electrocardiogram throughout their course of treatment. Frequent serum potassium determinations were carried out and correlated with the ECG changes. On admission to hospital the electrocardiogram of ketoacidotic patients showed varied T wave patterns often with little correlation to the serum potassium, but the two patients who were initially hypokalemic were identified from the ECG appearances. Following the infusion of fluids alone the serum potassium fell with accompanying T wave and ST segment changes while the administration of potassium reversed these abnormalities. Although the electrocardiogram is not a substitute for serum potassium determinations, it is a useful guide to potassium replacement in diabetic ketoacidosis. In the successful management of this diabetic emergency the achievement and maintenance of a normal ECG, by means of early and continuous administration of potassium in the infused fluids, should be an important objective of treatment. DIABETES23:610-15, July, 1974.