Clin Med
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Progress in complex disorders requires clear thinking facilitated by clear language. Clinicians and scientists occasionally become captive to inaccurate language or meaningless terminology and this generates lazy thinking and impedes progress. ⋯ Among other FGIDs, the situation is more serious; imprecision and lack of consistency in terminology continue to mar progress. This article reviews the chequered history of terminology in this area and concludes that removing the obfuscation generated by poor usage of language should be the first step towards understanding the pathogenesis and improving the management of these, and similar, disorders.
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The 25th anniversary of the first reports of a catastrophic illness later classified as AIDS and the 10th anniversary of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) both occurred in 2006. Where available, HAART has revolutionised the treatment of HIV. ⋯ These anniversaries allow us to appreciate the milestones achieved thus far and those yet to be achieved. Only a collaborative global effort will stop the epidemic from overwhelming efforts to contain it.
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Climate change was originally expected to have its main impact on countries in temperate latitudes which, because of their relative wealth, would be best able to cope. It is now far more likely that much poorer states in the tropics and sub-tropics will experience severe impacts. ⋯ The dangerous response to the prospects of mass migration and radical social movements is to attempt to maintain control without addressing underlying problems. Instead, there is an urgent need to embrace new concepts of sustainable security.
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Biography Historical Article
'A ray of darkness': Margiad Evans's account of her epilepsy (1952).
This column explores the links and synergies between medicine and literature. What roles can literature play in reflecting and influencing good practice, and what sorts of images of doctoring are to be found in drama, poetry, fiction, biography, electronic fora and film? The editors would be pleased to receive short papers, ranging from 500–1,000 words, on relevant topics. Those interested in contributing should email brian.hurwitz@kcl.ac.uk or neil.vickers@kcl.ac.uk
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Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of alcohol, with heavy drinking risking impaired brain development and future alcohol dependence. Advertisements increase expectancies about alcohol, leading to a greater likelihood of drinking. ⋯ All European countries, with the exception of the UK, have a ban on one or more types of advertising. Since self-regulation is reported as failing to prevent marketing which has an impact on younger people, and since advertising commonly crosses country borders, there is an argument to approximate advertising rules across Europe banning alcohol advertising targeted at young people, a highly cost-effective measure to reduce harmful alcohol use, and one supported by European citizens and case law.