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A human hemoglobin with four distinct electrophoretic components was observed in an individual with leptocytosis and reticulocytosis. Three of the components were the previously reported hemoglobins A, C and G. The fourth (Porter) with a mobility of zero on conventional paper electrophoresis in alkaline buffer of pH 8.6, appears to be a new component arising as a result of the random association of the other two abnormal components.

Substances injected into the marrow cavity are rapidly taken up,1 apparently unchanged, into the general circulation.2 The problem of administering fluids to infants is a difficult one, especially when rapid absorption is desired. The two main routes available, aside from the peripheral veins themselves, are the superior longitudinal sinus, reached through the anterior fontanel, and the peritoneal cavity. The infusion of substances through the anterior fontanel, unless in skilled hands, is attended by a high risk. The absorption of substances injected intraperitoneally may, under certain circumstances, be greatly delayed. Moreover, in treatment of disorders of the abdomen it is not advisable to use this route. Thus there is left a group of infants for whom infusion by the intramedullary route may be the only advisable resort. These considerations have led us to a trial of the merits of the intramedullary route for infusion of fluids in a group

Substances injected into the marrow cavity of the tibia of the rabbit and of the sternum of man are almost immediately absorbed into the general circulation. Blood and glucose solutions respectively, by intramedullary injection, corrected rapidly experimental anemia and hypoglycemia induced in rabbits.

Dilution with physiologic saline solution and other fluids accelerates the coagulation of properly collected normal and hemophilic blood and plasma in silicone coated vessels, with or without the aid of activating agents such as platelets, thromboplastin, cephalin, glass particles or plasma euglobulin fractions. When normal plasma is diluted under a concentration of about 20 per cent, its rate of clotting is prolonged, principally because of diminution in prothrombin. Regardless of the activating agent used, the rate of coagulation of hemophilic plasma can be made equal to that of normal plasma by appropriate dilution. These findings speak against the existence in hemophilic blood or plasma of a deficiency in any procoagulant factor, and support the concept of the presence in excess of a stabilizing inhibitor which slows the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin by one or both of the following mechanisms: (1) reducing or inactivating the effect of released coagulants (antithromboplastin activity) (2) conjugation with a procoagulant thereby maintaining it in an inactive form (anti Ac-globulin activity).

A 12 year old negro girl was studied who presented a picture of megaloblastic anemia refractory to physiologic doses of vitamin B-12 and to folic acid. However, remission could be induced and maintained by pharmacologic doses of vitamin B-12 (1000 µg. per week), by folinic acid or by a combination of vitamin C (or homocysteine) and folic acid. Folinic acid determinations and the clinical response to various metabolites indicated the existence of a metabolic defect in the utilization of folinic acid. The hereditary nature of this defect was suggested by the fact that two siblings might have had a similar condition.