The Medical journal of Australia
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This paper reviews the part which prior consumption of alcohol played in motor vehicular fatalities in Geelong and district between January, 1967, and June, 1978. There were 344 deaths of persons aged 17 years and older within four hours after the accident. ⋯ A high degree of sobriety was noted among all female road traffic victims. The increasing road toll related to motorcycle accidents and the problem of legal and illegal drug use are also briefly discussed.
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Six children affected by the fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) are described. Their ages vary from newborn to 15 years. ⋯ Four have additional congenital anomalies, and at least four are mentally retarded. These children are described to increase awareness of the FAS in Australia, whose population has a high and changing pattern of alcohol consumption.
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This paper presents some preliminary findings from an epidemiological study of inpatients in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in 1977. The sample included 457 patients. ⋯ The drinking habits of 30% of males and 9% of females placed them at risk. Some commonly used laboratory tests are evaluated.
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The history, rationale and implementation of legislation for compulsory blood alcohol tests on adult road crash casualties presenting at Victorian hospitals are reviewed. Drinking drivers admitted to casualty departments can now be identified and prosecuted; doctors can obtain blood alcohol test results on road crash casualties without threat of litigation; drinking drivers with alcohol problems may be directed to appropriate re-education or rehabilitation programmes; the opportunity also exists for treatment of non-driver casualties with alcohol problems. ⋯ Non-drivers had a slightly lower incidence of elevated alcohol concentrations. The implementation of further drink-driving countermeasures, expansion of services for the management of alcohol problems, and development of a national policy directed at prevention of alcohol abuse are recommended.