MALIGNANT EFFUSIONS , JOR(intracavitary nitrogen mustard, thiotepa, etc.), but it still has a place where alternative methods fail, as they often do. The comparative merits and demerits of the various preparations of yttrium have still to be determined and checked against clinical experience. In the colloidal silicate we appear to have a substance of promise, worthy of further investigation.It is proposed to publish elsewhere full technical details of the above investigation, including physical data on dosage, post-mortem assays, activity in blood, urine, and cavitary fluid, etc. SummaryAs an alternative to radioactive gold for control of malignant pleural and peritoneal effusions, the use is described of a new compound, colloidal radioactive yttrium silicate (90Y2 (SiO3)3). A preliminary report is made of its therapeutic use in 15 cases. Out of nine cases surviving over one month, six received good palliation for 5 to 19 months. The advantages of yttrium over gold are discussed, especially the superior surface penetration of the beta-particles and the lesser radiation hazards owing to absence of penetrating gammaradiation.Thanks are due to my physicist colleagues, on whom this work depended, in particular Mr. J. C. Jones

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This study was carried out in normal infants living in London in order (a) to obtain normal figures for parameters related to folic acid metabolism in this age-group, and (b) to see if by adult criteria there was any evidence in such infants of folic acid deficiency.Material and Methods Twenty-four normal full-term infants born in St Thomas' hospital were followed during the first year of life. All but 5 were firstbom. Selection of cases was mainly on the basis of the mother being able and willing to co-operate. 3 mothers were patients attending regularly in other departments of the hospital and most of the others lived within easy walking distance. In some cases tests were carried out at home. The exact nature of the study was explained and only 10 of the 40 mothers originally approached were unwilling to take part. 6 more were unable to continue for the whole year.In the mothers, serum and whole blood folate (L. casei) levels were estimated between 3 and 6 days after delivery. All but one mother had received between 100 and 130 mg. folic acid prophylactically during the third trimester of pregnancy. In all but 4 the last dose of folic acid had been taken more than a week before blood samples were obtained.In the infants the following tests were carried out between the ages of 3 and 6 days, 3 and 4 months, 6 and 8 months, and finally at about the age of 1 year: serum (or plasma) and whole blood folate (L. casei), formiminoglutamic acid (Figlu) and urocanic acid excretion after a histidine load, haemoglobin, haematocrit (PCV), and neutrophil lobe count.In the mothers, venous blood samples were taken at least 3 hours after breakfast and before lunch. In the infants blood was usually obtained by heel-prick. Ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetate (EDTA) was used as the anticoagulant.

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