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Body weight loss during transport or shrink (SHK) is a common occurrence in feeder cattle that results from a physiological, complex process. Previous studies have assessed the effects of environmental and dietary stressors on transport-associated BW loss; however, data on associations between shrink and subsequent health and performance parameters in feeder cattle are limited. Operational data from 13 U.S. commercial feedlots (n = 16,590 cattle cohorts) were used to quantify how SHK was associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD) morbidity and overall mortality risks, HCW and ADG in feeder cattle cohorts arriving to feedlots during 2000 to 2008. Multivariable mixed-effects negative binomial and linear regression models were employed to determine these associations while accounting for other cohort-level demographic variables. The median SHK among the study cohorts was 3.0% with a mean (± SEM) of 2.4 ± 0.02%. The mean (± SEM) cumulative BRD morbidity was 10.0% ± 0.09% (median = 5.8%; range 0 to 100%) and the mean (± SEM) overall cumulative mortality was 1.3% ± 0.01% (median = 0.9%; range: 0 to 25.6%). The mean and median number of days on feed of cohorts experiencing initial BRD cases was 143 and 150 d (range = 23 to 288 d). The effects of SHK were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with BRD morbidity, overall mortality, HCW and ADG, and these effects were significantly (P < 0.05) modified by gender, season and mean arrival BW of the cohort. Combining data on BW loss during transport with cohort demographics could allow a more precise prediction of health and performance of feedlot cattle.

Most beef cattle are transported at least once during their lives, and this potentially stressful practice may affect subsequent health and performance. Limited research is available quantifying the effects of transport on feedlot performance and health, and particularly the risk of bovine respiratory disease complex (BRD), which is the most common disease of weaned calves after arrival to the feedlot. The objective of this retrospective study was to determine potential associations between distance traveled (DTV) during transportation with health (cumulative BRD morbidity and mortality of all causes) and performance (ADG and HCW) parameters in cattle cohorts (n = 14,601) that arrived to 21 U.S. commercial feedlots from 1997 to 2009. Multivariable mixed-effects negative binomial and linear regression models were employed to determine associations between health and performance outcomes with DTV and other cohort-level demographic variables. Cattle were transported a median of 552 km from origin to feedlot with a mean (± SEM) of 698 ± 4.4 km. The mean (±SEM) cumulative BRD morbidity was 4.9% ± 0.01% (median = 1.1%; range: 0 to 100%) whereas the mean (±SEM) cumulative mortality due to all causes was 1.3% ± 0.01% (median = 0.8%; range: 0 to 28.7%). Distance traveled was significantly associated (P < 0.05) with BRD morbidity, overall mortality, HCW and ADG, and its effects were modified by demographic characteristics (i.e., cohort region of origin, mean arrival BW, gender, and the season of the year) of the cohort. Knowledge of the distance traveled during transportation could allow a more precise prediction of cattle feedlot health and performance.

Forty-eight patients with benign fibrous stenosis of the bile ducts were studied, seven of whom were operated upon primarily by us. A total of 182 operative procedures was performed, 110 before admission and seventy-two by us. Our surgical mortality was 12 per cent; operative mortality was 8 per cent. With repeated attacks of jaundice, intolerable itching, chills and fever, and weight loss lasting over a period of several years in many cases, these patients are miserable and doomed to death. Even though multiple, painstaking procedures are often required, satisfactory and improved results in 69 per cent of the patients in this study justify continued efforts towards restitution.

A case of extensive clostridial myonecrosis of the anterior abdominal wall is described in an elderly patient after anterior resection of the sigmoid colon. After extensive resection of the abdominal wall, the defect was bridged by omentum and reinforced with Marlex mesh. Mesh skin grafts were applied to the granulation tissue which formed rapidly from the underlying omentum. This prosthetic abdominal wall proved to be durable despite subsequent reoperation for recurrent carcinoma.

A method of intra-abdominal choledochography has been presented which obviates the principal difficulties of operative cholangiography. This is done by placing the x-ray film behind the common bile duct within the abdomen thereby eliminating the necessity for apnea during the exposure of the film. This visualizes the common bile duct where the majority of stones are overlooked.

In a series of eighty-nine consecutive resections of the colon for carcinoma resection and primary anastomosis was possible in seventyone or 79.7 per cent of the cases. Acute large bowel obstruction in sixteen patients or 17.9 per cent of the patients necessitated preliminary decompressive operations and was the most common contraindication to resection and primary anastomosis. Perforation prevented resection and primary anastomosis in three of six cases with this complication. The usefulness of a modified obstructive resection was illustrated in two of these patients with large free perforations and spreading peritonitis. Intraperitoneal anastomosis after obstructive resection seems to be preferable to spur crushing and extraperitoneal anastomosis. Cecostomy was a satisfactory decompressive vent for obstructing lesions proximal to the splenic flexure while loop colostomy in the right half of the transverse colon was more efficient for lesions more distally situated. There was no evidence in this series that complementary vents or routine preoperative intubation with one-stage resection and anastomosis are necessary. Closed anastomosis has demonstrated a lower wound morbidity than open methods. Succinyl sulfathiazole has prepared the bowel well, relieved incomplete obstruction in some instances and has seemed to further early return of bowel motility in the postoperative period. Six fatalities occurred a mortality rate of 6.7 per cent. In only one of these was the method of anastomosis a factor, the remaining being due to errors or factors uncontrollable at the present time.

Several previous studies have shown a relationship between dental disease and the socialclass of the individual. This study investigated the caries experience and gingival health of 5- and 10-year-olds in a non-fluoridated area. It was found that 5-year-old children attending social priority schools had experienced significantly more caries than children in ordinary schools. A significant difference was likewise found in the gingival health, the social priority children having more sites affected by gingival inflammation. At 10 years, no significant differences were found between the two groups in either caries experience or gingival health. Use of the Community Dental Service was investigated, and it was found that 44% of the 10-year-old social priority schoolchildren received dental care from the Community Dental Service, an increase over the proportion of 12% in the corresponding 5-year-old group.

Six cases of fistulas resulting from perineal operative procedures are reported, with an analysis of the causative factors. The principles underlying surgical management are presented and the rationale of surgical procedures emphasized.