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The method used in this study to quantify the G cell population of the cat is similar to the technique used for measuring the parietal cell mass in the stomach of rats and man. The method may be used on the human antrum. Mucosal sampling technique and immunofluorescence methods are described. The method is reproducible. G cell distribution in the antrum was not uniform and the highest concentrations were found along the lesser curvature. The G cell population was 10.27, 12.66, 12.87, 12.88 and 15.42 million cells (mean 12.8 x 10(6)) per antrum in each of the five cats studied.

Outpatient treatment of haemorrhoids by elastic band ligation without anaesthetic was performed in 75 patients. Clinical review showed that 65 returned to work within 24 h of ligation, 8 in 48 h and 2 after 48 h. No patient required hospitalisation for either rectal bleeding or pain after ligation. In the first week after treatment 36 were completely symptom-free, 26 had minimal discomfort and 13 had moderate pain with a sense of imcomplete evacuation in the rectum, and some frequency of call to stool lasting up to 7 days in 1. Follow-up at 8-26 months (mean 10 months) showed that 59 were symptom free, only occasional rectal bleeding occurred in 7 and more frequent irregular bleeding in 2. Religation of residual haemorrhoids was performed in 7 and 2 and a haemorrhoidectomy. For the majority of patients hospitalisation and loss of work were avoided.