Benign vaginal rhabdomyoma.

A case of benign polypoid vaginal rhabdomyoma occurring in a 52-year-old female is described. The characteristic histological features were interlacing bands of striated muscle cells with prominent cross and longitudinal striations, with surrounding loose collagenous stroma, within which were many dilated vascular spaces. Electron microscopy confirmed the striated muscle origin of these cells. The pathogenesis is possibly a localized area of abnormal mesenchymal differentiation.

Hyperplasia of similar and dissimilar mucosa adjoining gastric mucosal wounds in the rat.

Deep mucosal wounds were produced within 1 mm of the squamo-columnar junction of the stomach of the rat, either on the squamous or on the glandular side, and the response of both the regenerating epithelium and of the adjoining, dissimilar epithelium was studied 24 hours to 12 weeks later. Squamous epithelium, both overlying previously injured squamous areas and adjoining previously injured glandular areas showed distinct hyperplasia that began on the 3rd day and was still present at 12 weeks. Glandular epithelium overlying previously injured glandular areas and adjoining previously injured squamous areas showed no hyperplasia but modulation of parietal and chief cells into mucus-secreting cells with increased mitosis. These changes appear more likely the effects of non-specific mitogenic agents than of reduced concentration of epithelial chalones.

Necrotizing and giant cell granulomatous phlebitis of caecum and ascending colon.

A distinctive form of necrotizing and granulomatous phlebitis of a segment of large intestine is described in a previously healthy 36-year-old woman who presented with sudden severe abdominal pain and diarrhoea. At operation the caecum and ascending colon were oedematous and inflamed and right hemicolectomy was performed. Microscopically there was striking involvement of veins in all coats of the bowel ranging from recent fibrinoid necrosis of the whole vessel wall in the case of the caecum, to more chronic giant cell granulomas in parts of the vessel wall with partial or complete occlusion of the lumen in ascending colon. Arteries and lymphatics were entirely spared of these changes. The aitiology of this condition has not been elucidated but the histological appearances and site of involvement suggest an immunological reaction to material absorbed from the bowel. No evidence of food or other allergies or of infection has been obtained. The patient remains symptom free after 18 months. This form of phlebitis does not appear to have been previously described.

A riposte for a fencer. The residency appointment of Alfred Edmund Finckh to Sydney Hospital in 1905. Was it just a matter of male chauvinism?

Alfred Finckh gained a residency at Sydney Hospital in 1905 in preference to a more academically successful female medical graduate, amid some controversy over the place of female doctors in hospitals. Here, two of his descendants argue his cause: that he was an experienced scientist with qualities that merited his selection for the post.

Fatal cadmium-fume pneumonitis.

A 38-year-old man developed acute respiratory distress several hours after welding cadmium-plated drums without taking precautions against the inhalation of fumes. His respiratory distress worsened over the ensuing three and a half days, and he died. Histological examination of the lungs showed changes of acute cadmium-fume pneumonitis, and chemical analysis of lungs and liver provided confirmatory evidence of considerable absorption of cadmium, of the order previously recorded as causing death. This case is reported so as to renew awareness of this condition, as the cause of the illness was not diagnosed during life.