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We studied two population groups (more than 1,600 patients) to determine the prevalence and clinical associations of genital tract infections with chlamydiae and herpesviruses. Base-line isolation rates for asymptomatic women having routine pelvic examinations were much lower than rates for symptomatic women. In both groups, chlamydiae were more prevalent than herpesviruses. Chlamydial infection was associated much more commonly with cervicitis (36.6%) than with vaginitis only (4.1%). Among 282 symptomatic men, the cultures of 19.9% yielded chlamydiae, and 4.3%, herpesviruses. Chlamydiae were recovered from 35.5% (27 of 76) of specimens from men with nongonococcal urethritis, and from an even larger proportion, 57% (24 of 42), of the specimens from men with frank discharge.(JAMA 231:1252-1255, 1975)

Speaking broadly, cholecystitis is a disease which begins in youth but is first recognized and properly treated in old age. As we shall see later, in a group of men and women coming to operation at an average age of 44 years, the duration of symptoms averaged nineteen years, an interval during which there were many courses of treatment, most of them directed against such vague disorders as "nervous indigestion," "flatulent dyspepsia," and "intestinal autointoxication." Now, we might say with Naunyn 1 that the "process of gallstone formation does not give rise to any symptoms," and that those which appear are "merely the manifestation of chronic dyspepsia;" or we may more logically assume that the symptoms observed do represent the earlier stages of cholecystitis. If that be the case, surely the sensible thing to do is to analyze very carefully the early histories of the persons who now undoubtedly have

• Alimentary infection without acute disease and without neurological manifestations was induced in two series of human subjects. In one series, SM type 1 poliomyelitis virus was given in capsules; in the other, TN type 2 virus was given in milk suspension. Altogether, 225 nonimmune subjects have received one or the other of these two viruses for immunization purposes; all have developed antibodies, and none have suffered any ill-effects that could be ascribed to the ingestion of the living poliomyelitis virus.Within the isolation unit, observations on transmissibility of the virus were made by setting up conditions that permitted contact. Transmission occurred in 5 of 15 contacts. The nurses who cared for these patients showed no evidence of alimentary infection.When the viruses were administered simultaneously, the type 1 virus alone produced antibodies unless type 2 was given first or in larger amounts. Mercurous chloride and other drugs intended to suppress fecal excretion of the virus had little effect. Administration of gamma globulin at the time the virus was ingested had no effect on the antibody response.

From the literature on leptospiral infections in the United States, Weil's disease (spirochetal jaundice) and canicola fever.1 it would appear that these diseases have been recognized as a problem in preventive as well as curative medicine, as prophesied editorially in The Journal of the American Medical Association ten years ago.2 The research, devoted to this subject since Weil made his clinical observations in 18863 has resulted in much valuable information. The spirochetè Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae was established as the causative organism of Weil's disease in 19154 Laboratory methods for its diagnosis were introduced in 1922.5 The clinical manifestations, pathology, animal reservoirs, epidemiology and geographic distribution have been extensively discussed in the literature.6 A comparable, but less complete, elaboration of detail is also available for canicola fever.7Despite this wealth of data, however, leptospiral infections still challenge the public health officer, the clinician, the bacteriologist, the laboratorian,

Eight chlamydial isolates of ovine origin were tested in a plaque reduction system using homologous and heterologous rooster antisera. The eight isolates could be separated into two separate immunotypes. Type 1 included isolates associated with ovine abortion and one agent recovered from the feces of an apparently normal sheep. Type 2 isolates were associated with polyarthritis and conjunctivitis. These two serotypes were not cross-reactive with several chlamydiae of avian origin. Further application of the plaque reduction test may provide a useful means of typing chlamydiae.

This report is a digest of some of the facts learned and impressions gained in the course of a recent visit to the Soviet Union. The visit was carried out in February and March, 1956, by us. It was sponsored by the Public Health Service of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, with the approval of the Department of State. Its purpose was to effect an exchange of scientific and technical information in several medical fields, but particularly in that of general and applied microbiology. Such missions between the United States and the Soviet Union were carried out during World War II, but were then interrupted. In the light of the changed international situation, as reflected in the Geneva conferences in 1955, it has now been decided that such exchanges should be resumed.To initiate exchanges in the medical field, a Soviet medical mission came to the United States

THERE has been much recent publicity concerning the administration of the Pasteur antirabies treatment to persons who were in contact with a patient who died of rabies. The indications for giving vaccine for rabies prophylaxis should be clearly understood. The following case illustrates the principles involved.In July, 1956, a man was bitten by his dog while attempting to train her. The dog had no illness at that time but ran away and never was located. In April, 1957, the patient complained of headache followed by nausea and vomiting. Four days later he became severely ill, was unable to swallow, and was extremely apprehensive. That evening he was admitted to the hospital, where in addition to his extreme agitation he suffered from thirst and fear of water. He was removed to a mental hospital, where rabies was diagnosed. He died that evening, five days after the onset of his illness.

Describes the revised laboratory program that has proven to be an important component of a successful reinforced concrete design class of the ABET-accredited civil engineering program at the United States Military Academy. Objectives of the laboratory program; Changes in the laboratory program; Effect of changing variables on specimen and member behavior.