A review of clinical records of 312 adult patients admitted with acute poisoning due to drugs or chemicals to Nehru hospital from Jan 1970 – Dec 1979 revealed the following demographic information: age 13-85 (mean 26.44); 212 were male; more urban than rural patients (209 vs 103); most belonged to the lower income group (283). Barbiturates were the commonest mode of poisoning, followed by organophosphorous compunds & copper sulfate. There was an overall mortality rate of 17.3%. 7 ref.