13a. 8 letters. at least three women .it seems. getting illnesses. m-l-d-e-. 17a. 6 letters. some science work given marks.we hear. o---c-. 18d. 2 words. 5&2. a number drink audibly and become edgy. --n-e--. 23d. 5 letters. posssibly a monster fish. t-o-l. 24d. 4letters. tax? theres high spirits. seing it abolished. -e-y.