Scot Med J
-
In order to assess alcohol related morbidity in male hospital patients we studied all acute male admissions over a period of three months. 9.3% of patients were found to have detectable alcohol on admission (level greater than 4 mmol/l). A total of 28.3% of admissions were judged to be alcoholic by questionnaire (Michigan Alcohol Screening Test). These results suggest that acute intoxication in male hospital admissions is not as common as previously recorded. The prevalence of alcoholism, however, was disturbingly high and has significant implications for in-patient management.
-
It is widely accepted that Sir James Young Simpson discovered the anaesthetic properties of chloroform and pioneered its application in surgery and midwifery. The name of Simpson is not infrequently also associated with the discovery of chloroform and of anaesthesia. Simpson certainly did not discover the substance chloroform or anaesthesia, there is doubt as to whether he discovered the anaesthetic properties of chloroform, and he may not have been the first person to administer chloroform anaesthesia to a patient. He did, however, play an important role in the introduction of chloroform anaesthesia particularly in midwifery and obstetrics.
-
The use of indwelling central venous catheters has become widespread since their introduction by Broviac et al in 1973 and Hickman et al in 1974. They are of particular value in paediatric oncology where young children require intensive chemotherapy over a long period of time and where peripheral venous access may become a problem.
-
We report a case of hyperemesis gravidarum complicated by thyrotoxicosis which was managed conservatively during pregnancy. Problems of diagnosing mild thyrotoxicosis in pregnancy are discussed. ⋯ Neither she nor her baby exhibited any subsequent features of thyroid dysfunction. This suggests that treatment of thyrotoxicosis in early pregnancy is not always required because of the spontaneous improvement which is likely to occur as pregnancy progresses.
-
Biography Historical Article
Dugald Christie. Scottish medical pioneer in Manchuria (1883-1923).