The staff of Nutrition Reviews, a technical journal, searched the medical and scientific literature and concluded in an article which appeared in the August 1967 issue that, "There is no conclusive evidence that, in the absence of severe ascorbic acid depletion, ascorbic acid has any effect on the incidence, course, or duration of the common cold."

This citation from the National Observer reflects the present state of confusion regardIng vitamin C and pulmonary findings. The purpose of this report is to analyze the relationship of reported daily ascorbic acid intake and reported respiratory symptoms and signs in a presumably healthy sample of individuals with the hope that the findings may cast some light on the resolution of the present controversy.