We explored the role of iron overload, deficiency of vitamin C and alcohol abuse in the aetiology of cervical and intertrochanteric fractures of the neck of the femur as a result of minor trauma. We studied prospectively 72 patients (45 men, 27 women). Levels of serum iron markers, vitamin C and alcohol markers were measured. Consumption of alcohol was estimated using questionnaires. The findings were compared with those of an age- and gender-matched control group. The mean age of the men was 59.5 years and of the women 66.9 years, with a male predominance. In the men, iron overload, as shown by high levels of serum ferritin (p < 0.001) and deficiency of vitamin C (p < 0.03), as well as abuse of both Western and the traditional type of alcohol, appear to be important aetiological factors. In women, alcohol abuse was also common, but iron markers and levels of vitamin C did not differ significantly from the control group.

1. The hyaluronate of synovial fluid is an acidic linear polymer which can effectively resist the diffusion of other macromolecules into its domain. Gelatin was used as an experimental model for hyaluronate, to investigate its effect upon the diffusion of protein-polysaccharides from cartilage slices.

2. The concentration of protein-polysaccilaride in the extracting medium was quantitated by uronic acid estimation and liquid scintillation spectrometry of ³⁵sulphate-labelled proteinpolysaccharide.

3. Concentrations of gelatin in excess of 20 per cent (W/v) significantly retarded diffusion of protein-polysaccharides out of cartilage slices, but evidently not the movement of these molecules within cartilage.

4. It is suggested that disaggregation of both the protein-polysaecharide molecules of cartilage and the hyaluronate of synovial fluid contribute to cartilage breakdown.