Primary Hodgkin's disease of the stomach in a 72-year-old man.

Primary Hodgkin's disease of the stomach is rare, but it may occur at any age. In surgically treated patients, the prognosis is better than for adenocarcinoma. Therefore, a precise diagnosis of the gastic tumor is paramount. Endoscopic biopsy is a valuable aid. A case report is presented of a 72-year-old man in whom a diagnosis of gastric lymphoma was made preoperatively. Results were good one year after surgical therapy.

Carcinoma of the liver: cytopathologic diagnosis.

Primary cancer of the liver is a rare disease, especially in countries with temperate climates. It is reported to be found in only 0.3% of all autopsies in these countries. An exact diagnosis is not always easy, especially in the elderly. In three aged patients, cytologic examination of material obtained from the liver by aspiration after puncture with a thin needle, indicated the diagnosis. Cytologic examination of aspirated liver tissue, although it can never be a substitute for biopsy, may be very useful not only in diagnosis but in monitoring the treatment of obstructive jaundice in elderly patients.

Gastrointestinal disorders in old age.

399 elderly patients were studied in order to establish the frequency of different gastrointestinal diseases and to see to what extent gastrointestinal problems influenced the clinical picture and the final outcome. 276 patients were hospitalized because of medical emergencies. 123 patients were chronically ill. In the first group, 26.8% (74) had major gastrointestinal problems. In 42% of the remaining patients, important functional or organic gastrointestinal disorders were present. In the second group, 46% of the patients had gastrointestinal diseases. Lesions of the digestive system are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the aged.

Reactivation of tuberculosis in old age.

Reactivation of tuberculosis in old age has been reported by several authors. This article confirms these findings and presents another 5 examples. Lack of adequate chemotherapy during the first clinical episode may be an important factor in reactivation, especially in debilitated patients.

Hypotensive action and side effects of clonidine-chlorthalidone and methyldopa-chlorthalidone in treatment of hypertension.

In an open, randomized, cross-over study the hypotensive action and side effects of clonidine-chlorthalidone and methyldopa-chlorthalidone combinations were compared. The diastolic morning blood pressure could be reduced to 95 mm. Hg or below in significantly more patients with clonidine than with methyldopa. Side effects, however, were more commonly encountered during the clonidine than during the methyldopa phase.