CORRESPONDENCE
Mast cell studies in uterus following
insertion of intrauterine contraceptive
device
To the Editor:
I have read with interest the article, “The
relationship between endometrial mast cell count
and bleeding in women following insertion of an
intrauterine device,” by Mehra, Devi, Chakra-
varti, and Chaudhuri, which appeared in the July
15, 1970, issue of your esteemed JOURNAL, vol.
107, p. 852.
On p. 854, the authors remarked, “However,
no report in literature on mast cell studies in
the human uterus following insertion of an IUD
is available.” This is surprising, as a report on
mast cells in the human uterus following inser-
tion of an IUD was presented to the annual
conference of the Association of Physiologists and
Pharmacologists of India, held in Baroda, De-
cember 27-29, 1968. An abstract of this paper,
“The influence of intrauterine device on the
mast cell population of the human uterus,” by
G. Chaudhury, S. Arora, S. Bhagat, and A. Dass
appeared in the Indian Journal of Physiology and
Pharmacology, vol. 13, p. 49-P, 1969. Please note
the next paper and abstract in the same journal
on the same page is by one of the authors who
has contributed to the article in your paper.
A detailed report of our work has been pub-
lished as, “The effect of the intrauterine con-
traceptive device on the mast cell content of the
human uterus,” by S. Bhagat, A. Dass, S. Arora,
and R. K. Sanyal in the Japanese Journal
Pharmacology, vol. 19, pp. 427-430, 1969.
The above statement within quotes by Mehra
and associates, is therefore, not accurate, and,
in spite of appearances, I would like to believe
it to be due to oversight. However, I feel that
it is only fair that your readers should be ap-
praised of the correct position in this regard.
R. K. Sanyal
Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated
Irwin and G. B. Pant Hospitals
Department of Pharmacology
New Delhi, India
Cardiovascular changes in vaginal
deliveries and cesarean sections
To the Editor:
Due to vagaries of various intermediaries, de-
livery of issues of your JOURNAL is often erratic
and usually late, so I have only now had an
opportunity of reading the paper by Drs. Nis-
wonger and Langmades on this subject. My re-
action was rather florid but my comment will be
brief. I find it incredible that an account of a
detailed investigation into cardiovascular changes
which occur during pregnancy (and especially
those observed in labor and at cesarean section)
can be presented and published and yet contain
not a single reference to the posture of the pa-
tient during the investigation. I would have
thought that by 1976 the influence of vena caval
compression was universally appreciated. For the
benefit of your contributors and readers, I append
a list of recent and pertinent references.
J. SelElyn Crwford
Consultant Anaesthetist
Birmingham Maternity Hospital
Birmingham, England
REFERENCES
1. Lees, M. M., Scott, D. B., and Kerr, M. G.:
J. Obstet. Gynaec. Brit. Comm. 77: 29, 1970.
2. Ang, C. K., Tan, T. H., Walters, W. A. W..
and Wood, C.: Brit. Med. J. 3: 201, 1969.
3. Scott, D. B.: Brit. J. Anaesth. 40: 120, 1968.
4. Ueland, K., Gills, R. E., and Hansen, J. M.:
AMER. J. OBSTET. GYNEC. 100: 43, 1968.
of 5. Lees, M. M., Scott, D. B., Kerr, M. C., and
Taylor, S. H.: Clin. Sci. 32: 453, 1967.
6. Lees, M. M., Taylor, S. H., Scott, D. B.. ant1
Kerr. M. G.: 1. Obstet. Gvnaec. Brit. &mm.
74: 319, 1967.”
7. Scott, D. B., and Kerr, M. G.: J. Obstrt.
Gynaec. Brit. Comm. 70: 1044, 1963.
8. Niswonger, J, W. H., and Langmade, C F.:
AMER. J. OBSTET. GYNEC’IO~: 337. 1970.
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