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The relationship between tubocurarine requirements and plasma levels of albumin and total globulin was investigated in 50 adult patients undergoing elective upper abdominal operation. No significant correlation was found with plasma proteins expressed in g/100 ml of plasma. A significant positive correlation between tubocurarine requirements and plasma total globulin corrected for packed cell volume (PCV) by multiplying, by (1-PCV) was demonstrated. This relationship decreased with time.

Our experience of twenty-eight patients with intermittent claudication treated by means of paravertebral lumbar somatic nerve block is presented. There was immediate demonstrable improvement in 92-5% of the twenty-six patients included in this follow up. At the end of 6 months the improvement was maintained in 72-7% of the patients and in about 70-0% of patients at 6 months and at 9 months. Six of the seven patients followed up for 1 year had a claudication distance at least twice that prior to the block. The results of this indicate that lumbar somatic nerve block is less disturbing and more effective than other forms of conservative treatment for intermittent claudication.