SUMMARY1. Using the anaesthetized dog, continuous recording was made of the oxygen and glucose contents of the artery and the vein draining the upper jejunum. Flow was also measured and results expressed as differences in oxygen and glucose between the aorta and the jejunal vein (a-v), also as oxygen consumption and glucose uptake.2. Resting glucose uptake was greater than could be accounted for on the basis of oxidation.3. When adrenaline (1 ,tg/kg. min) or noradrenaline (2 ,sg/kg. min) was infused intravenously, oxygen uptake rose by about 50 % whereas glucose uptake rose by 300-500 %; moreover, the rise in glucose uptake was apparent before the rise in oxygen uptake.4. The f-blocking agent, propranolol (0-5 mg/kg. min) had no effect on oxygen uptake but caused a three-fold rise in glucose uptake. Subsequently infusion of adrenaline had no effect on oxygen uptake and no effect on glucose uptake. However, on stopping the infusion there was a marked drop in glucose uptake, which was not maintained.5. It is suggested that the effects of catecholamines may be due to altered arterial blood glucose levels and that the jejunum may play a role in glucose homeostasis which requires the action of fi receptors.

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156 traditional healers/midwives randomly selected from all over the Yoruba-speaking areas of Nigeria were studied. Sociological data (age, sex, religion, educational status) and other details of their personal and job histories were documented. The results showed, amongst other things, that 72.4% of the 156 herbalists interviewed were more than 40 years old. The study also revealed that all traditional healers/midwives are trained before they start to practise and that people from all walks of life, irrespective of their educational and socio-economic status, illiterates, literates, students, traders, top professionals, nurses, doctors and clergymen consult traditional healers for diverse reasons. Some herbalists specialize, others are general practitioners. More than 50% of the herbalists earn enough from their practice for their upkeep. Patients pay for their treatment in cash or in kind. 125 (80%) of the herbalists were willing to cooperate with western-trained doctors if this is suggested. The results of this study were compared and contrasted with the practice of traditional medicine in other parts of Nigeria and other countries of the world where similar practices are still in vogue.

1 Resting blood flow, arterio-venous glucose and oxygen (A-V)02 differences, glucose uptake and oxygen consumption by a segment of the upper jejunum were measured in anaesthetized dogs. Systemic arterial pressure was also measured. 2 The effect of nicotine infusion (25 pg kg-' i.v., over 10 min) on these measurements was recorded in untreated dogs, in dogs treated with propranolol (0.5 mg kg-') to produce P-adrenoceptor blockade and in dogs after a,-adrenoceptor blockade with prazosin (0.2 mg kg-').3 Nicotine cause a significant pressor response during infusion and a hypotensive response during the post infusion period. Propranolol did not significantly affect these results. Jejunal blood flow increased in the first half of nicotine infusion in both the untreated and P-blocked animals. Vascular resistance was reduced during nicotine infusion and the decrease persisted post infusion in the P-blocked group. 4 In the untreated group (A-V)O2 was significantly reduced during the first 5min of nicotine infusion, thereafter it returned to control levels, then rose significantly above control level, post infusion. P-Adrenoceptor blockade had little effect on these responses to nicotine. When oxygen consumption was calculated it was found that nicotine had little effect during or after infusion. 5 Nictine caused significant hyperglycaemia during and for about 1 h after infusion. Tissue release of glucose was occasionally observed following the infusion. 13-Adrenoceptor blockade reduced the hyperglycaemia caused by nicotine. P-Blockade alone increased glucose uptake and nicotine caused a further three to four fold increase. Prazosin abolished the effects that were observed in the untreated and the a-blocked animals. 6 The present findings, related to our previous observations on the effects of catecholamines on glucose uptake by the bowel, are consistent with the hypothesis that nicotine has its action on bowel glucose uptake or release through its well-established action in releasing catecholamines and in activating P-adrenoceptors. The responses are not related to oxygen utilization.

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