This finding, together with previous work indicating that uptake parameters are only sensitive to differences exceeding 25% of the gland mass, the possibility that xerostomia may result from qualitative as well as quantitative changes in saliva and the probability that immune factors decrease neurosecretory circuits without affecting acinar mass, suggest that those indices derived from salivary TACs that directly reflect trapping and uptake are not useful in the detection of salivary gland disease.

No abstract

A prospective study of the effect of the route of administration of prophylactic antibiotic on the wound infection rate following gastrointestinal surgery was performed. Patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups: group 1 received no form of antibiotic prophylaxis; group 2 received 1 g of cephradine applied topically to the wound at closure; group 3 received 1 g of cephradine intravenously at induction of anaesthesia and a further intravenous dose of 500 mg 4 h later. Wound infections occurred in 12 of 83 patients in the control group (14.5 per cent), in 6 of the 83 patients in the group who received topical antibiotic (7.2 per cent) and in 3 of the 82 patients who received systemic antibiotics (3.6 per cent). Only the group who received systemic antibiotic showed a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of wound infections compared with the control group (P = 0.03).

No abstract

The publication of Walter's monograph (1929) on the blood/cerebrospinal-fluid barrier was followed by the widespread use ofthe bromide test in diseased conditions of the brain and spinal cord. The bromide test consists in the administration of bromide to the patient; after allowing 24 hr. for equilibration with the cerebrospinal fluid (c.s.f.), the content of bromide in the serum and c.s.f. is determined. The permeability of the barrier is then judged by the magnitude of the ratio (bromide/unit vol. serum)/(bromide/unit vol. c.s.f.). Walter found normal control ratios to lie in the range 2-90-3-30 (mean 3-10). In pathological states causing the greatest increase in permeability (syphilitic or tuberculous meningitis) the ratio was near 2-0, although a few values as low as 1-50 have been recorded. On the other hand, ratios over 3-50 were found in a number of conditions.