A double-blind trial of phenytoin therapy following craniotomy was performed to test the hypothesis that phenytoin is effective in reducing postoperative epilepsy. A significant reduction in the frequency of epilepsy was observed in the group receiving the active drug up to the 10th postoperative week. Half of the seizures occurred in the first 2 weeks and two-thirds within 1 month of cranial surgery. High rates of epilepsy were observed after surgery in patients with meningioma, metastasis, aneurysm, and head injury. Routine prophylaxis with phenytoin (in a dosage of 5 to 6 mg/kg/day) would seem to be indicated, particularly in high-risk patients and, where possible, this treatment should be started 1 week preoperatively. Seizure control is best when therapeutic levels of phenytoin are maintained.

No abstract

Most accounts of the Mesoamerican civil‐religious hierarchy assume either a pre‐Hispanic or colonial formation of the system, despite the lack of convincing evidence. This paper presents unpublished archival data on colonial cofradias and civil cargos from four regions of Mexico: Jalisco, central Mexico, the Valley of Oaxaca, and the Sierra Zapoteca of Oaxaca. It is argued that while a civil hierarchy was well developed in colonial times, the civil‐religious hierarchy was mainly a post‐independence development. Changes in the functions of the hierarchy and its mode of articulation with the larger society are also discussed. [Mesoamerica, peasant society, ethnohistory, religion, political organization]

No abstract

and mercuric chloride (0 1 mM) but not by sulphydryl reactants. 3. The reaction is characterized by a marked increase in iodine-staining power and P-amylolysis limit but oc-(I-÷ 4)-glucosidic linkages in glycogen are not attacked. Enzyme action is incomplete, only the outer oc-(1-> 6)-glucosidic linkages being hydrolysed. 4. Isoamylase differs from the plant and animal debranching enzymes [R-enzyme and amylo-(1-+ 6)-glucosidase] since both amylopectin and glycogen are substrates. 5. Purified isoamylase has no action on maltose, isomaltose or maltotriose. 6. Isoamylase is also present in baker's yeast.