In a somewhat simplified understanding, financial accounting deals with all the processes which enable the organization to present to external stakeholders of an organization, the balance sheet on specified dates and an exploratory statement of changes in the balance sheet from the previous date to the next. The latter is basically the profit and loss account, which shows the profit or loss generated in the intermediate period; as explained earlier, this shows the accretion or decrement of what the organization owes to the owner. How much detail should be provided in the balance sheet and the profit and loss account and what is the criterion for a true and fair view of the organization? In deciding this, the law takes into account a balance between privacy and autonomy of the organization and the need for public disclosures in sufficient detail so that stakeholders would be enabled to make their choices; vendors, to sell goods to them; shareholders, to invest or divest; and depositors and lenders, to give deposits or lend to the organization. These are governed by various enactments. The primary law is the Companies Acts of different countries. In addition to the company law, councils of professional accountants have evolved a set of norms which balance the need for privacy and public disclosure. These laws may generally follow a similar pattern, but could be different in significant ways. Thus, the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) of the US requires segment profits to be disclosed, whereas the Indian accounting standards (AS) till recently did not require this (http://www.icai.org). Even now only companies listed in the stock exchange, banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, industrial concerns whose turnover is over `50 crore, and commercial concerns with more than `10 crore have to show the segment information.

211 I am a neurologist and would like to know: What precautions I should take with regard to the cardiovascular system, before and after prescribing mexiletine for cases of myotonia. Whether there is a group of patients who should not receive this drug.

212 Can myasthenia gravis be unilateral and, if so, how often?

213 Can the creatine phosphokinase (CPK) level in the blood, or the presence of certain auto-antibodies, help to differentiate muscle dystrophies from myositis?

214 Can percussion myotonia occur with motor neurone disease? If so, please explain the mechanism and cause-effect for this.

215 Can benign intracranial hypertension be diagnosed on the basis of persistent headache and CT-brain scan findings of slit ventricles with no papilloedema and preserved spontaneous venous pulsations on ophthalmoscopy? And do you recommend cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure measurement as a routine investigation in the diagnosis of this type of disorder?

216 In my experience in the treatment of stroke patients, the combination of atenolol 50 mg, hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg and amlodipine 10 mg is very effective in the treatment of resistant hypertension. Can you tell me whether this combination of antihypertensives is contraindicated in diabetic patients?

217 Can diabetic mononeuropathy of the third cranial nerve cause ipsilateral pain of the face and tenderness (but not redness) of the affected eye? Can these symptoms be explained by Tolosa-Hunt syndrome?

218 1. For how long should adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) be given to patients after stoppage of myoclonic seizures in West's syndrome? 2. If seizures recur after stoppage, should ACTH be re-administered?

219 In acute attacks of multiple sclerosis (MS), where methylprednisolone is not available, can pulse steroid therapy be given with a one-off dose of 200 mg dexamethasone?

220 Is there a role for aciclovir in idiopathic Bell's palsy?