Visual analogue scales (VAS) of different lengths (5, 10, 15 and 20 cm) and with different end-phrases (troublesome, miserable, intense, unbearable and worst pain imaginable) were used to record pain in 50 male and 50 female patients with pulpitis or pericoronitis. All 100 patients successfully completed the questionnaire. High correlation was found between the scores on all the scales. Scales of length 10 or 15 cm had the smallest measurement error. The scale with the end-phrase 'worst pain imaginable' was found to be the best choice for comparing present pain or worst pain between different groups. Using this scale no significant difference was found between the scores of males and females or between those of patients with pulpitis and pericoronitis. This study suggests the use of 10 cm visual analogue scales with the end-phrase 'worst pain imaginable' as being the most suitable for measuring dental pain.

1. Two normal subjects and ten patients with chronic renal failure were given 15 or 20 g of calcium carbonate in the morning and 5·6 or 8·4 g of calcium phosphate in the evening for 13-41 days.2. During the high calcium and phosphate intake there was a rise in calcium and phosphate absorption from the gut in the normal subjects and to about the same extent in the patients with chronic renal failure.3. The calcium and phosphate balances became positive while there was a rise in plasma calcium and a fall in plasma phosphate. There was also a fall in urinary phosphate excretion.

Plasma testosterone, androstenedione, oestradiol-17β, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were not significantly different in patients with prostatic cancer, with benign prostatic hyperplasia or in patients without prostatic disease. Plasma prolactin concentrations were significantly lower in the patients with benign disease than those with prostatic carcinoma. Endocrine therapy in the form of stilboestrol administration significantly decreased plasma levels of testosterone, oestradiol-17β, FSH and LH within 7 days of the treatment. After 7 days therapy prolactin levels increased significantly in all patients studied. Changes in growth hormone concentrations were more varied in response to stilboestrol, being elevated in several patients and remaining unchanged in others. Treatment of a few prostatic carcinoma patients who were receiving stilboestrol therapy with CB154, an inhibitor of prolactin secretion, brought an immediate decrease in prolactin levels which was sustained. Plasma testosterone, androstenedione and growth hormone were unchanged in these patients but a significant decrease in plasma oestradiol-17β was noted in two patients during CB154 administration.

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