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Histological preparations of the rectal mucosa from 72 rheumatic patients without gastrointestinal symptoms were quantitatively analysed. The variables recorded were the diameter (minor axis) of ten consecutive transversally cut glands, the space of lamina propria between the glands, the number of glands per high-power field, and the number of nuclei in ten consecutive areas (of lamina propria) between the glands. The digitals resulting from the sum of the values in each variable were considered characteristic of the histological state of the rectal mucosa in individual patients. In most biopsies (i.e. 99) scores of 21 or less were recorded. The data obtained serve as a basis for comparative studies of the histological state of the rectal mucosa from patients with various chronic inflammatory conditions of the rectum.

To investigate whether the amount of the tissue removed at conization could influence the frequency of postoperative hemorrhage, the size of 221 cone specimens was measured in two different series. The 119 patients in the first semes were operated upon mainly during 1972 and the second series of 102 patients mainly during 1973. The cones in Series II were empirically reduced following the technique proposed by Crisp and associates. Actual measurements demonstrated that the specimens in Series II were smaller than in Series I. The frequency of bleeding following conization was 4 per cent in the second series but as high as 21 per cent in the first series. Postconization hemorrhages, however, were unrelated to the size of the individual cone specimens in the different series. The operative technique used in Series II appears to be responsible for the decrease in the amount of postconization hemorrhages.

A model system of 15% exfoliated tumor (Ehrlich ascites) cells and 85% exfoliated cervicovaginal human squamous cells and acellular viscous mucuslike material was used to investigate the distribution of tumor cells on smear preparations. The smears were taken by the same individual, with plastic spatulas, using traditional smearing motions. The presence or absence of normal squamous cervicovaginal cells and tumor cells was recorded in 400 randomly distributed areas. Smears done with circular motions contained the largest number of tumor cells and those done with back-and-forth strokes, the least. Circular motions apparently should be preferred if the purpose is to transfer to slides the largest possible number of tumor cells. Independently of the motion employed, the largest total number of tumor cells was found in ring 9 and the lowest, in ring 5. When the various motions were taken into account, the largest number of tumor cells was found in ring 9 for smears done with zigzag strokes; the lowest, in ring 5 with clockwise circular motions. Despite these differences, comparative studies indicate that plastic spatulas may induce a more even distribution of tumor cells onto slides than wooden spatulas or cotton swab applicators. We have been unable to confirm that plastic spatulas induce better cytologic preparations than do wooden spatulas or cotton swab applicators.