Arthur M. Davids

The effects of sedation on Fallopian tubal motility

Abstract The physiology of the Fallopian tubes has long been the subject of much laboratory and clinical investigation. Peristalsis and contractions of the Fallopian tubes have been demonstrated both in isolated strips of the excised tube 1 and in the extirpated intact surviving genitals. 2 The presence of spontaneous contractions and peristalsis have also been seen and photographed through an abdominal window in unanesthetized animals. 3 Extensive studies have clearly demonstrated the cyclic influence of ovarian function on the spontaneous contractions of the Fallopian tubes in laboratory animals 4 and in the human being. 5 The effects of drugs on tubal function have been studied by many investigators on laboratory animals 6, 7 and on the extirpated human genitals. 8 The pharmacological response of the intact human Fallopian tube in vivo, however, has received little attention. The present clinical investigation is an attempt to establish the reactions of the human Fallopian tubes to various sedative drugs and to determine their clinical value in diagnostic and therapeutic uterotubal insufflation. Patients attending the sterility clinic and many of those admitted to the gynecological ward for surgical procedures were subjected to repeated uterotubal insufflation tests. In each case a careful control test was performed before attempting to evaluate the effect of any drug. The methods of administration of the drugs and the details of testing will be discussed individually later.

Gynecologic surgery in the elderly with special reference to risks and results

Abstract 1. 1. The increasing numbers of elderly women presenting a variety of gynecologic disorders bring new responsibilities to the gynecologist and to the internist. 2. 2. This study of 202 cases of women over sixty years of age who were subjected to 217 surgical procedures, with only two deaths, indicates that the range of surgery may be safely extended for this age group. 3. 3. Careful preoperative studies of these patients by the team of gynecologist and internist sharply limited the operative risk. 4. 4. These elderly women presented a variety of systemic conditions, associated with the local lesions. The implications of hypertension, arteriosclerotic heart disease, anemia, diabetes, and malnutrition have been discussed in relation to the determination of surgical risk. 5. 5. Modern methods of anesthesia, liberal use of whole blood transfusions, early rising, the use of chemotherapy and antibiotics prevented or modified complications of the postoperative period. 6. 6. In general, we believe that the careful evaluation of the functional capacity of older individuals will eliminate false emphasis on chronological age, and thus point the way to successful therapy.

Fatty acid therapy of pruritus vulvae

Abstract The value of sodium propionate as an ointment, douche, and suppository has been shown in the treatment of pruritus vulae due to a variety of causes. An unreported group of pruritus ani cases have also cleared under this therapy.