Military medicine
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Although civilian populations have been heavily involved in most of the recent wars and conflicts throughout the world, most reports analyzed casualty data of military personnel, often leaving civilian casualties excluded or underestimated. A comparison of epidemiologic and medical data for maxillofacial injuries between civilians and servicemen (policemen, soldiers, and United Nations Protection Forces) during the aggression against Croatia is attempted. ⋯ A significant difference between civilians and servicemen was noted in age and sex distribution. The incidence and severity of maxillofacial and associated injuries is almost equal, and the pattern of injuries is of the same type for civilian and military personnel.
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This study was undertaken to determine the percentage of soldiers who remain on active duty after undergoing a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) for an amputation. The computerized records of all amputee soldiers who were presented to one of four Army PEBs during an 8-year period (October 1980 to September 1988) were reviewed. Only 11 of 469 soldiers (2.3%, 95% CI 1.2-4.2%) remained on active duty after amputation. ⋯ We conclude that continuation on active duty is a rare event after amputation. Further studies on active duty is a rare event after amputation. Further studies are necessary to define the characteristics associated with active duty service as an amputee and the impact of an amputation on performance of military duties.
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Data abstracted from the Report of Casualty (DD 1300) is used to describe active duty homicide victims for the period 1980 through 1992. The Marine Corps experienced the fewest homicides (186) but the highest rate (7.36 per 100,000) compared to the other services: Army (619/6.36), Navy (381/5.24), and Air Force (194/2.65). Those younger than 25 accounted for 57% of the homicides and had a higher rate than the older age groups. ⋯ Twenty-eight percent of female victims were beaten or strangled and females were over 10 times more likely than males to be strangled. The risk for homicide among active duty males was less than for males in the general population. Conversely, active duty females were at an increased risk for homicide in comparison to both males in the military and females in the general population.
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To demonstrate that repetitive hand or wrist series could be minimized with minor refinements of triage. ⋯ In an emergency room generating over 180 hand and wrist studies monthly, minor changes in ordering practices reduced the duplication rate from 10.8% to 5.8%.