The purpose of this investigation was to verify a long-standing clinical observation that patients with fracture of the proximal end of the femur have less evidence of osteoarthritic changes in their hip joints than would have been expected in patients of similar age groups. The radiographs of 342 patients with fractures and those of 157 controls were examined. The statistical results gave uncontroversial evidence that the incidence of osteoarthritic joints was lower in the fracture group. The difference was even greater with severe osteoarthritic changes. This suggests that patients with osteoarthritis have a "better quality" of bone. They are less likely to be suffering from osteoporosis and less liable to fractures of the proximal end of the femur.

In a review of the roentgenological files of 22 patients suffering from spastic paraplegia due to neurolathyrism, 3 patients were found to present abnormal skeletal findings. 2 patients showed absence of union of the secondary ossification centres of the iliac crests, the ischial tuberosities and the vertebral bodies. Their age at the time of ingestion of poisonous Lathyrus sativus plants was 19 and 20 years. The 3rd patient had bowing and thickening of his right femoral shaft. He was 22 years old at the time of poisoning. These findings which are similar to those found in experimental osteolathyrism have never been described in clinical neurolathyrism. They are of a nature to throw some doubt on the correctness of the currently prevailing concept of sharp distinction between these two pathological entities.

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A rare case of a solitary benign rectal ulcer in which conservative medical therapy was unsuccessful is described. Diversion of the fecal stream by temporary sigmoidostomy resulted in rapid healing of the ulcer. This entity presents diagnostic and therapeutic problems, which are discussed. The use of temporary sigmoidostomy in such cases is recommended.