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Summary and conclusionsSix normal volunteers were vaccinated against typhoidcholera. I5N-Glycine was injected the morning after vaccination. The injection was repeated three to six days and 10 days later. All subjects ate the same diet on each occasion. Excretion of 15N in urinary ammonia and total urinary excretion of nitrogen, ammonia, and creatinine were determined after each injection of istope. Urinary excretion of 15N was used to calculate rates of whole-body protein turnover.Total urinary nitrogen and ammonia excretions showed no appreciable change on all three days. Creatinine excretion was significantly higher the day after vaccination than on the other two days (p <0 05). Rates of protein turnover were also significantly higher on this day: a 37% increase in synthesis and 55% increase in degradation were noted.These results show that during the reaction to vaccination there was a stimulation of whole-body protein metabolism that is similar to that produced by sepsis. IntroductionBody protein is continuously broken down and renewed (protein turnover); hence protein can be lost or gained through changes in either synthesis or breakdown. Serious infection results in loss of body protein,' but little is known of the changes in protein synthesis and breakdown that cause this. One study showed that sepsis gave rise to rates of whole-body protein synthesis and breakdown in excess of those found in normal subjects.2 This contrasts with those results from studies in which postoperative trauma apparently depressed the rate of protein synthesis.3Vaccination can cause fever and loss of body nitrogen,5 and results in a temporary impairment of growth in children.6 We have therefore measured whole-body protein turnover in normal adult volunteers who were given a vaccination against typhoidcholera. Rates of protein turnover were determined by giving a single dose of "5N-glycine and measuring the subsequent excretion of 15N in urinary ammonia. This method is simple; employs the harmless, stable isotope 15N; and is particularly suitable for repeated studies in young volunteers.

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379are bacteriostatic against many Gram-positive bacteria, they inactivate or inhibit some viruses, and their activity is not reduced by tissue fluids or pus. They are used for the treatment of contaminated or suppurative wounds, and have been used in strengths ranging from 041-0-3% for the treatment of local infections of the ear, mouth, and throat. Euflavine, which has properties similar to the other acridine derivatives, used in a solution of 1/1,000 is non-irritant and an effective spermicidal. During injection of the solution down each vas most patients experience a sensation in the posterior urethra which many describe as a feeling of wanting to void. A few found this uncomfortable but most made no comment unless asked. The sensation could be reduced and virtually abolished by slow injection of the solution. On voiding after operation the urine is yellow on the first two or three occasions, and the semen is similarly discoloured.One patient developed haematuria five days after operation. A heavy growth of Escherichia coli was cultured in his urine and it was assumed that the haematuria was a result of this infection. British Medical Journal, 1973, 3, 379-381 Summary In a controlled trial chloramphenicol proved as effective and much cheaper than pencillin for the treatment of group A meningococcal meningitis in Zaria, Nigeria. A short course of five days cured most patients. Adults and older children were soon able to take chloramphenicol by mouth, which reduced the cost and simplified treatment.It is suggested that chloramphenicol is a suitable alternative to sulphonamides for the treatment of mningococcal meningitis in those parts of Africa where the organism is sulphonamide-resistant.