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Streptokinase, an exotoxin, is a potent activator of plasminogen within a clot. We theorized that subtherapeutic doses of streptokinase labeled with 131I might tag clots sufficiently for isotopic visualization. We injected 131I streptokinase into dogs that had experimentally produced clots, with and without prior Streptokinase administration. Results showed that, for diagnostic purposes, the pulmonary emboli and venous thrombi could not be adequately defined by the 131I streptokinase. It did not sufficiently localize in the clots for positive imaging. Clot-labeling was variable and background radiation levels were high. When dogs were heparinized to prevent the clots from enlarging, clot-labeling with 131I streptokinase was similar to that obtained using 131I alone.

The history of medicine makes it axiomatic that diseases of unknown etiology have given rise to innumerable measures for their relief. Success in therapy, however, with few exceptions, was attained only on the discovery of the causative factor. In this respect thromboangiitis obliterans is typical. The literature of the last three decades reveals hundreds of therapeutic suggestions which have been tried and which have yielded little success. This may be attributed to the fact that of all the peculiar etiologic agents which have been suggested, none up to the present time has proved to be the real cause of the condition. Among the causes which have been advanced may be mentioned ethnologic predisposition, metabolic disturbances, climatic and balneologic conditions, endocrine disturbances and syphilis. The toxic effects of drugs and chemicals, such as tobacco, alcohol and ergot, have also been suggested as the possible cause of the disease. However, none of

1. Injuries of the abdominal aorta in dogs may be corrected with subsequent perfect restoration of the continuity of the vessel. 2. The complete occlusion of the aorta for a period of 30 minutes is not necessarily followed by serious consequences. 3. In cases in which a portion of the aorta must be resected, an arterial segment taken from another animal can be safely utilized as a transplant. 4. While the reestablishment of the continuity of the severed aorta by the circular suture is possible, the approximation of the severed ends during the suture entails such injury that thrombosis frequently occurs. Therefore, when the aorta is completely severed, the introduction of a transplanted segment is indicated. 5. An arterial tube of increased caliber made of smaller vessels such as the carotid lends itself readily as a transplant to the severed aorta, with a reasonable assurance of reestablishing the continuity of this vessel. 6. Defects in the aorta can be readily corrected by the use of fascial transplants with a minimum danger of thrombosis.

In a former paper Dr. Kristeller and I referred to a number of methods that have been devised for the purpose of estimating the sufficiency of the kidney function and have shown wherein they are unsatisfactory and impracticable. Up to that time we had made observations on fifty-eight subjects, giving seventy injections of phenolsulphonephthalein. These observations were made on healthy males and on a series of cases of chronic parenchymatous nephritis, acute diffuse nephritis, chronic interstitial nephritis and a few cases of enlarged prostate. The results obtained warranted the conclusion that the elimination of the drug went hand in hand with the elimination of the normal products of metabolism, a fact for which this method is bound to prove of greater value than any other devised.We pointed out that phenolsulphonephthalein possesses the following advantages:1. The drug does not readily decompose in solution and can be sterilized by boiling.