Summary. The proteolytic activity described here is closely connected with leukocytes and its efficiency depends on their count. It falls in the initial stage of infectious hepatitis, or in blood that passes the ischaemic limb in atherosclerosis; it rises after corticotherapy or in uraemia. It acts on the plasma proteins but only when pretreated with chloroform, ether, acetone, urea, etc. ; the native protein cannot be digested. This activity does not need any activator since it is always ready to act when adequately denaturated protein appears. There may exist, however, some natural conditions in which no reagent needs to be added to the extravasated blood ; then the proteolytic activity starts at once if incubated at 37°C. This is the case in ether anesthesia and in jaundice. In these instances the protein alteration necessary for digestion must occur in blood vessels. Possibly other conditions not yet examined may also exist in which this process occurs spontaneously.

SUMMARY Seventy-seven patients with gastroduodenal ulcer were treated with two methyl-prostaglandin E2 analogues, m-PGE2, in a double-blind clinical trial. Each of three groups was given 15 S-15 methyl PGE2 methyl ester, 15 R-15 methyl PGE2 methyl ester, and placebo, respectively. Both forms of m-PGE2 analogues appeared to reduce gastric acid secretion, to shorten ulcer healing, and also to produce some side-effects, form 'S' being the more potent. Prompt healing of the ulcer with these agents did not prevent the recurrence of the disease. As the serum gastrin response to a meal after m-PGE2 administration was not reduced, this agent seems directly to affect oxynthic cells.

The capacity of leukocytes to digest the plasma protein was reported in the earlier communications. It was determined by increasing NPN concentration in the medium. In the present paper this activity has been demonstrated by an evidence of the substrate consumption. The protein concentration in the system containing both blood plasma and leukocytes decreased twice as much as that in the similar system deprived of leukocytes. All electrophoretic fractions were digested, the most susceptible beeing α(2) and β globulins while the least - albumins.

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Fifty patients with peptic ulcer disease were followed up to 1 to 5 years. Panendoscopy was repeated on the average of 5.6 times a year, also in patients who were actually well. The pattern of changes during on calendar year was a substantial comparative unit. The incidence and intensity of pain, erosions, and ulcers were registered in yearly charts, and the results were calculated per month from 100 yearly cycles. Pain appeared to be the most frequent symptom, being reported in 50% to 100% of visits in particular months. Its decrease in springtime and in August was significant at the level of p less than 0.5, whereas the increase in early autumn was more significant, with p less than 0.01, as was also the next decrease in December. Although pain appeared more often than ulcer niches, and although 4% of patients never felt pain, the only positive correlation found (p less than 0.05) was that between incidence of pain and of ulcer. Erosions occurring in 10% to 30% seemed to be the most constant feature in these cases, whereas the appearance of ulcers ranged from 15% to 60%. The lower ulcer incidence in August and in December was highly significant (in both, p less than 0.001).