571and pulse-rate were raised. Haemorrhage seemed more likely than infection because the haemoglobin had fallen from 62 to 49. One bottle of human AHG concentrate obtained from the Lister Institute and equivalent to 500 ml. of fresh frozen plasma was given on each of 3 days. A blood-culture taken at this time was sterile. On the fourteenth postoperative day bovine AHG 4000 units daily was substituted for the human concentrate and this was continued for a further 14 days, during which time a striking fall in the white blood-cell and platelet counts occurred. Generalized slight pitting oedema was noticed on the nineteenth day. He was then given chlorthiazide 0.5 g. twice daily on alternate days for 8 days and effervescent potassium (potassium bicarbonate, potassium acid tartrate, and anhydrous citric acid) I g. three times daily. Serum proteins, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase were normal. Serum electrolytes on the twenty-fourth day showed a low potassium level of 2 mEq./l. An E.C.G.showed sinus rhythm and prolongation of the Q-T interval-confirmatory evidence of hypokalaemia. This was corrected by increasing the dosage of potassium to 3 g. three times daily and 5 days later the serum electrolytes were normal.A wound swab taken on the thirty-third day and another 3 days later produced a moderate growth of Streptococcus faecalis sensitive to erythromycin, ampicillin, and chloramphenicol, and Proteus sp. sensitive to nalidixic acid (negram).Anticonvulsant therapy was maintained during his stay in hospital and consisted of: phenobarbitone 60 mg. twice daily, epanutin IOO mg. twice daily, and mysoline 250 mg. at night, with supplementary vitamins and oral iron.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.