1366 1 ml of 2% amethocaine into the 20 ml syringe before filling the syringe with the immunoglobulin preparation. During the injection the syringe is tilted at a slightly upward angle. The amethocaine solution rises to the top of the syringe and passes through the needle before the immunoglobulin. This completely prevents any pain. I cannot understand why this is not the standard practice. Should a patient require a larger volume per week of immunoglobulin the simplest method is to give the usual dose twice a week instead of once a week, thus obviating the need to

give a very large volume.

88 Mansfield Road,

Daybrook, Nottingham NG5

B. KENDRICK

6GY

PRE-ECLAMPSIA: A STATE OF MOTHER-FETUS IMMUNE IMBALANCE

Blood glucose values obtained from 15 diabetics by reflotest reagent strips and reflomat meter. Immediate results compared readings at a mean of 33 h (range

32-34). The theoretical line of identity is also shown. drawn attention to the unreliability of the Ames strips when not used in strict accordance with the instructions. We compared immediate readings with readings after delays of up to 76 h. Dextrostix strips were read after 1 min with a ’Glucocheck’ (Medistron), and ’Renotest’ strips after 2 min (as indicated) with a ’Renomat’ (Boehringer). Then we stored the strips in their original packings at room temperature. After 1-2 h, the readings of 5 dextrostix strips had fallen by a mean of 46% (range 33-59%) and afterwards remained at about that level for 48 h. By contrast, the reflotest strips maintained a remarkably constant level. Immediate readings in 15 diabetics ranged from 5.3to 17-0 mmol/1 (mean 10-6). After 2-4 h, the mean of the readings was 10.7mmol/l, with individual deviations between + 1 - 0 and —0-7mmol/1. The mean difference was 2.7% (±5.2 SD). After 24 h of storage, the mean difference was even less, 1.0% (±6.3), and at 33 h it was 1-4%±S-6 (see figure). Not until 48 h did a small but significant (p