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The suitability of different carrier materials for absorption of serum was investigated with respect to a centralised screening for AFP serum levels in pregnant women, which needs a transmission of the samples. AFP was quantified in an indirect two-site binding enzyme immunoassay. AFP concentrations of native serum and of the eluate from the samples dried on filter paper were in a good agreement with a coefficient of correlation of 0.902. But storage of dried serum samples should not exceed one week because a two week storage diminished the coefficient of correlation to 0.766 and AFP concentrations of paper dried samples were overestimated.

In our first paper we dealt with the reproduction of low contrast ranges during the radiological examination of the breast. In the present paper we are concerned with medium contrast ranges, using a semi-objective procedure. This again depended on visual evaluation of test films of grids with variable grid ratios. For mammography rotating molybdenum and tungsten tubes with various filters were available. The advantages of xere radiography in rendering detail were less marked in these medium contrast ranges. The disadvantage of scatter is again less marked, but the resolution of non screen film for small and medium-sized objects is considerably greater. However, xero-radiography, using a tungsten tube with 0.5 mm. Al. filtration represents a satisfactory compromise between image quality and radiation dose for the demonstration of small and medium contrast ranges.

Dried whole blood of newborn infants on filter paper which is generally used for screening investigations for inborn errors of metabolism has been found suitable in a pilot study for demonstration of rubella antibodies. Investigation of 2522 newborn blood samples using the haemolysis-in-gel test showed lack of rubella specific antibodies of the IgG type in 236 cases. This indicates that 9.3% of mothers had no immunity against rubella. Inclusion of the test into existing newborn screening programmes would permit selective immunisations in the lying in period, discovery of rubella infections within the first months of pregnancy, and permit epidemiological studies. Financial and organisational requirements would be minimal. A considerable improvement in current rubella prophylaxis could thus be achieved.

The term "ergophthalmology", coined on the occasion of the 20th International Congress of Ophthalmology in Munich in 1966, denotes a subject, which is concerned with vision and work, and which comprises four main areas: (1) eye damage caused at work by occupational diseases and industrial accidents; (2) medical opinion on the consequences of damage, for various purposes; (3) assessment of the fitness of the visually handicapped subject for work, with regard to rehabilitation; (4) analysis of demands made on visual performance and on conditions at workplaces. The problems we are confronted with in the individual area overlap one another. However, cooperation with many related disciplines is often indispensable. These can include not only a variety of medical disciplines, but also technical and scientific disciplines, as well as the humanities, economics and jurisprudence; and last not least, education and medical training. The ophthalmologist's first responsibility is to treat eye damage and subsequently to insure rehabilitation; but he should also cooperate in the prevention of damage and the vocational rehabilitation of people, who have suffered eye damage. Moreover, as far as visual functions are concerned, his opinion regarding the suitability of an individual for certain occupation and activities is of major importance. Occupations involving work at display units are an example of immediate interest. The ophthalmologist's advice may often be very useful with regard to the design and furnishing of workplaces and workrooms. Finally, in giving a medical opinion, questions of relationships and the extent of the damage have to be dealt with; these are largely a question of ophthalmological experience and knowledge.

The discussion raises objections to this indication for Caesarean section. The indication for Caesarean section should become apparent prior to an attempt of vaginal delivery. A combined version of the second twin with intact membranes should eliminate some of the problems of internal podalic version with ruptured membranes. From 1971 to 1974, 43 twin deliveries (0.96 percent) occurred in 4,695 deliveries. There were two primary Caesarean sections. Four second twins were manually extracted. Five second twins were delivered by the Veit-Smellie Maneuver. One second twin was delivered by forceps and internal podalic version was used in 6 cases (13.9 percent). Three second twins died, one due to spontaneous antepartum umbilical cord complication, one due to fetal anomaly and one due to virus infection. The perinatal mortality for the second twin was therefore 6.9 percent. The author concedes that a combined version with intact membranes prior to an attempt of vaginal delivery may have been desirable in his cases but he reiterates that a Caesarean section for the second twin was the only way to obtain healthy live infants in his three exceptional cases.

Reference values for screening parameters, evaluating the shape of flow-volume-curves on forced expiration, were calculated from measurements in 1127 healthy subjects aged between 13 and 72 years. The following parameters were determined by means of the electronic spirometer pneumo-test: 1. the peak flow value Vmax, 2. the whole time constant tauges of the flow volume diagram and its components tau1 and tau2 from the upper and the lower part of the flow volume curve, 3. the most frequent time constant taumax in the distribution function of time constants. In relation to age Vmax-values show a maximum at 35 years and a significant decrease in younger and older subjects. Values in women are significant smaller than in men throughout the range of age. The time constants tauges and tau1 decrease significantly with increase in age. Differences between females and males are not statistically significant for these parameters. The time constants tau2 and taumax are age-independent. Their mean values are identical in all age decades and in women significantly smaller than in man.

FMD, whether in the stage of a fibrous cortical defect or a non-ossifying fibroma, possesses very characteristic radiological appearances which rarely make it necessary to resort to biopsy. In order to avoid mistakes, it is necessary to observe strictly the known radiological features: metaphyseal position, clearcut relationships to the cortex, well defined margins, maximal size 6 to 7 cm., presence during growth, rarely observed in the upper extremity. The differential diagnosis, which needs to be considered only rarely, is discussed.

The use of cotton swabs is well known as a cause of a traumatic membrane perforation. More reasons are known. A detailed description of the aetiology and therapy in Germany does not exist. The treatment consist of a readaptation of the perforation an splinting of the tympanic membrane with paper sheets or silicon foils.238 patients with an acute tympanic membrane perforation were included in this retrospective study. They were treated between 2005 and 2010.The mean causes of a traumatic tympanic membrane perforation were slaps with the open hand (37.4%), the use of a cotton swab (19.3%) and high diving (13.0%). The perforations have been splinted with paper sheets or silicon foils. The rate of complete wound closure after splinting with different materials are comparable (71.9% and 81.8%). The side effects are low.This is the first study about the aetiology of traumatic tympanic membrane perforations in Germany. There is no statistic difference between the 2 materials for tympanic membrane splinting. A traumatic tympanic membrane perforation should be treatet at least to improve the air conduction threshold.