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Ovarian function and early development of the embryo was investigated histologically in vampire bats removed at timed intervals after mating from a laboratory colony. Both ovaries were equally functional, but a single ovum only was released at each oestrus. The preovulatory follicle or new CL was in the opposite ovary from the old CL in most bats possessing old CL. Large preovulatory follicles were observed as late as Day 5 (Day 1 = first day of sperm-positive vaginal smears). Early cleavage stages were recorded on Days 3 to 8. Advanced morulae and early blastocysts sometimes lacking zonae pellucidae were observed in the oviducts on Days 15 and 16.

This study was carried out, first, to determine the feasibility of postoperative home care for three elective operations and, second, to explore the feasibility of introducing postoperative home care as a more economical alternative for the following surgical procedures: herniorrhaphy, vaginal hysterectomy, and vein stripping. Clinical, environmental, operative, and socioeconomic criteria were applied to 487 outpatients of which 44 pairs were selected and matched by age, sex, diagnosis, environmental, and socioeconomic characteristics. Each member of a pair was randomly assigned to either hospital care or home care. The place of postoperative care was disclosed only after the operation. After three to five hours in the recovery room, the hospital care patient was transferred to the general surgical wards and the home care patient was transferred by ambulance to his home. There were two minor complications in the home care group and three in the hospital care group. The duration of convalescence was significantly shorter for home care patients with post–hernia repair and with hysterectomy. Economic analysis showed that from the hospital viewpoint, the average cost for both herniorrhaphy and hysterectomy home care patients is one–fourth of the average cost of hospital care. The home care alternative also provides for other savings which are described in the study.

A simultaneous study of the oxytocic and antidiuretic activities induced by neurohypophyseal stimulation during human lactation is presented. The stimuli were baby's suckling, instrumental dilatation of the mammary ducts, hypertonic saline, and nicotine. The different neurohypophyseal release patterns observed in this work were compatible with our previous findings of independence of oxytocic and antidiuretic activities.

The survival of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in soil extracts adjusted to various pH values and subjected to different temperatures was investigated. The mycelial phase was more resistant to extreme conditions than the yeast phase. Both phases were inhibited by pH 1·4; the yeast phase did not survive pH 3·0 but many of the mycelial elements were viable. With both phases, an increase in the number of viable particles occurred in the extracts with initial pH values of 7·0 and 5·0. However, growth of the mycelial phase was maintained for longer periods. Both types of elements altered the original pH values of the soil extracts in order to reach slightly acidic values (6·2-6·9).Neither phase survived exposure for 3 weeks at - 20° C. or at 45° C. The mycelial elements tolerated 4° C. and were even able of growth at 15° C. while the yeast cells were more sensitive to the effect of the various temperatures.These results are discussed in relation to the chances that each type of cell would have for survival saprophytically in nature.

Antidiuretic activity was measured by determining free water clearance and urinary osmolality, controlled by glomerular filtration rate (Ccr) and solute excretion (Cosm). Milk-ejecting activity was assayed by recording intraductal mammary pressures. Baby's suckling was used as a stimulus to evoke milk ejection. Water overload (20 ml. per kilogram of body weight) and ethyl alcohol were used as inhibitors of the neurohypophyseal function. In subjects with water overload or blood alcohol concentrations between 50 and 100 mg. per 100 ml., inhibition of the antidiuretic activity without modifications of the milk ejection was observed. These results demonstrate that a differential inhibition of the gland was obtained, reinforcing our previous observations suggesting different neural pathways and/or mechanisms, controlling the release of oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone. On the contrary, blood alcohol concentrations over 200 mg. per 100 ml. were able to completely inhibit both activities, demonstrating that high doses of alcohol cannot be used to produce specific inhibition of oxytocin release.

1.1. Twenty-four cases of severe abruptio placentae were studied using the method of amniotic fluid pressure recording.2.2. Based on differences in tonus, frequency, and pharmacological reactivity to oxytocin, two distinct patterns of uterine motility are described.3.3. Uterine tonus and contraction frequency appear to be good indicators of the functional status of uterine muscle in abruptio. Physiopathological significance of these findings is discussed.4.4. There seems to be no relationship between the type of uterine pattern and the clinical aspects of the condition.

One hundred and seventy-one patients were treated by vagotomy and drainage for duodenal ulcer. When performed electively, the mortality was low (0.9%). For massive, continuing hemorrhage the mortality was high (22.2%). There was an 11.1% overall incidence of ulcer recurrence. The number of vagal trunks resected did not establish the completeness of vagotomy. Insulin testing was performed postoperatively in 60 patients. Of these, 22 (37%) were positive. A positive insulin test was associated with a high incidence of recurrent ulcer (60%). There were no recurrences in those patients with negative or equivocal Hollander tests. We believe that routine postoperative insulin tests are a valuable prognostic guide.

Uterine or “oxytocic,” milk-ejecting, and antidiuretic activities were studied during spontaneous labor in 35 healthy women. The study was carried out in three groups: (1) in the dorsal position maintained throughout labor and delivery; (2) in the lateral position; and (3) in the dorsal position and with continuous spinal block. Uterine activity was determined by continuously recording intra-amniotic pressure. Milk-ejecting activity was studied by recording intraductal mammary pressure in subjects showing response to threshold amounts of exogenous oxytocin. Antidiuretic activity was estimated by measuring urinary osmolality and free water clearance and controlled by the simultaneous determination of creatinine and osmolal clearances. Both uterine and antidiuretic activities were found to coexist during the last hours of labor. However, antidiuretic activity was significantly decreased in the group with continuous spinal block, probably due to absence of pain. There was no significant milk-ejecting activity during labor. The physiologic significance of these findings is discussed.

Pierre Charles Alexandre Louis played a valuable part in the development of the best in American clinical medicine of the 19th century.1 He accomplished this through his influence on an outstanding group of young American physicians who trained in Paris in the 1830's. One of these, Dr. James Jackson Jr., of Boston, in a letter to his father dated Paris, Dec. 1, 1831, writes2: "To practice percussion well is no easy thing, and no ordinary accomplishment. How often do men, or women pay five hundred dollars to learn to touch the piano; I would willingly give five hundred to any one who would teach me to percuss like Louis."In 1843, Louis published his description of the zone of increased resonance which is sometimes found immediately above a pleural effusion and likened it to the "cracked-pot sound" (bruit de pot fêlé)3:The cracked pot sound is not