SUMMARY1. Erythropoietin has been measured in the serum of hypoxic rats that have been exposed to 6 hr of hypoxia, by use of a biological assay.2. The effects of section of splanchnic, renal and sinus nerves on the concentration of Erythropoietin present in the serum of the hypoxic animals has been investigated.3. Serum levels of Erythropoietin were reduced in the hypoxic animals immediately after cutting the splanchnic nerves, but unaltered one week after the operation.4. The concentration of Erythropoietin in the serum of hypoxic rats was increased by the section of the renal nerves. Section of the sinus nerves abolished the effect.5. Elevated levels of Erythropoietin were present in the sera of hypoxic rats immediately after section of the sinus nerves. The effect was still obtained when the animals were exposed to hypoxia 1 week after cutting the nerves, though in attenuated form.6. The rise in the concentration of the hormone after chronic section of the sinus nerves was estimated as 261 % (fiducial limits 167-513, P = 0.05), by parallel line bio-assay.7. The concentration of Erythropoietin in the serum of hypoxic rats was progressively elevated as the arterial P02 of the animals was reduced.Section of the sinus nerves did not alter the secretion of Erythropoietin in these experiments.

Summary A retrospective study was made of 44 elderly patients with bacteraemia treated in the period 1974-1980. Positive blood cultures in 5 cases were considered clinically insignificant. Twenty-six of the remaining 39 patients were found to have a Gram-negative bacteraemia, mainly associated with urinary tract infection. Abnormalities of liver function were common but 5 jaundiced patients with Gram-negative infection were shown to have stones in the common bile duct. The value of blood cultures as a diagnostic aid in the non-specifically ill elderly patient is emphasized.

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Iron deficiency of 10 g/dl haemoglobin or less was found in 18 (3.5%) of 511 patients admitted in one year to the Middlesex Hospital Geriatric Unit. Three patients were frail and not investigated. Gastro-intestinal lesions were demonstrated in all remaining 15 patients and specific therapy was instituted in 10 cases. Surgery was performed for colonic cancer at a resectable stage (Dukes B) in two cases. Patients with iron deficiency require adequate gastro-enterological investigation.

For two years mixed groups of medical, nursing and physiotherapy students have taken part in an experimental course in geriatric medicine. The course organization and content are described and the students' evaluation of the course is discussed.