Low levels of vitamin C white cell concentration found in the elderly in institutions probably reflect low dietary vitamin C intake and are not the sequelae of multiple pathology as has been suggested. Vitamin C levels recorded in patients living at home attending geriatric out-patients were found to be higher than those in elderly patients residing in two long-stay hospital wards. It is suggested that the factors contributing to the low vitamin C status of the hospital patients are: (1) fresh fruit and fruit juices not being freely available (2) problems resulting from institutionalised cooking methods, (3) delay in serving food in large hospitals.