Military medicine
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Findings regarding smoking behavior for the 1985 survey of military personnel were compared to findings from earlier surveys. A decline in the percentage of cigarette smokers was evident for all ranks and ages. ⋯ Among non-smokers of cigarettes, about one-tenth of the respondents used smokeless tobacco and/or smoked a pipe or cigars. Using self-evaluation of health status, non-smokers reported "excellent" health significantly more than smokers.
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Combat casualty care research on far-forward resuscitation is necessary for optimizing the future care of the wounded soldier. Present legal directives pertaining to the use of humans as subjects in Department of Defense (DOD)-funded research require that prior informed consent from the subjects or their legal representatives be obtained. ⋯ This article reviews the medical considerations surrounding resuscitation research that make obtaining traditional informed consent impossible, the present legal directives pertaining to DOD-funded research and informed consent, and the ethical issues that influence the conduct of human research. The necessary changes required to continue resuscitation research without informed consent, while still safeguarding the welfare of the patient, are suggested.
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Side-effects and immunogenicity of the Haemophilus influenzae type B polysaccharide vaccine (Hbpv) were reported following introduction in a multi-ethnic border population of 2- to 6-year-old U. S. military dependents. Eighty percent of 659 vaccinees were reported by parents to have no reactions within 48 hours following vaccination; 20% were reported to have local and/or systemic reactions. ⋯ Of the 114 vaccines with serologic data, those with side-effects had serologic changes comparable to those without side-effects. There was no difference in side-effects or immunologic response across ethnic groups. Therefore, side-effects, immunologic responses, and ethnic group appear to be independent variables.