Summary As a result of previous in‐vitro studies on the a‐adrenergic receptor activity of the human prostate and prostatic capsule a trial was made of a‐adrenergic blockers for the relief of obstructive prostatic symptoms. Considerable benefit was obtained in several groups of patients, as demonstrated either by the relief or prevention of complete retention, or by diminution in residual urine or improvement in urinary flow‐rate recordings. A number of illustrative cases are described, and the indications for the use of this treatment are suggested. It is emphasised that this treatment provides symptomatic relief only, and in no sense purports to be a treatment of the enlarged prostate itself.

As a result of previous in-vitro studies on the alpha-adrenergic receptor activity of the human prostate and prostatic capsule a trial was made of alpha-adrenergic blockers for the relief of obstructive prostatic symptoms. Considerable benefit was obtained in several groups of patients, as demonstrated either by the relief or prevention of complete retention, or by diminution in residual urine or improvement in urinary flow-rate recordings. A number of illustrative cases are described, and the indications for the use of this treatment are suggested. It is emphasised that this treatment provides symptomatic relief only, and in no sense purports to be a treatment of the enlarged prostate itself.

Effective prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and possible acute pyelonephritis is of major importance during pregnancy. During 39 pregnancies, 33 women with a history of recurrent UTIs (and, in some instances, pyelonephritis) received postcoital prophylaxis consisting of a single oral dose of either cephalexin (250 mg) or nitrofurantoin macrocrystals (50 mg). While 130 UTIs occurred during a mean observation period of 7 months before prophylaxis, only a single UTI occurred during pregnancy after prophylaxis; this difference was highly significant. Thus the use of one of these effective regimens is strongly recommended for any pregnant woman with a history of recurrent UTIs. The treatment's effectiveness can be explained by two features of the two antibacterial agents involved: both reach high bactericidal concentrations in the urinary tract and induce no (or minimal) resistance in the introital gram-negative bacterial flora.

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A study of 100 healthy, premenopausal women demonstrated that lactobacilli and staphylococci are the predominant normal bacterial flora in the vaginal vestibule, urethra and vagina, with diphtheroids, streptococci and micrococci occurring in decreasing order. Gram-negative enterobacteria are a rare occurrence in the normal bacterial flora of the vaginal vestibule (7 per cent), urethra (9 per cent) and vagina (6 per cent). A second study of 10 healthy premenopausal women in whom serial examinations were done confirmed the findings of the first study and revealed that when gram-negative enterobacteria do colonize the normal vaginal vestibule, urethra and vagina colonization is of a transitory nature since enterobacteria tend to disappear spontaneously.