Articles: disease.
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Measles vaccine cannot give high sero-conversion rates in developing countries. The high birth rates characteristic of these countries lead to infection at a very early age, thus making it difficult to vaccinate before exposure to the disease. ⋯ During the period when vaccine is given at an early age, the titers in responding children will be low, and this will leave children of the next generation with little protection. It is important, therefore, that if vaccine is used early the program be intensively and consistently applied to control virus circulation before the next generation is born.
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The question of suffering and its relation to organic illness has rarely been addressed in the medical literature. This article offers a description of the nature and causes of suffering in patients undergoing medical treatment. A distinction based on clinical observations is made between suffering and physical distress. ⋯ Suffering can include physical pain but is by no means limited to it. The relief of suffering and the cure of disease must be seen as twin obligations of a medical profession that is truly dedicated to the care of the sick. Physicians' failure to understand the nature of suffering can result in medical intervention that (though technically adequate) not only fails to relieve suffering but becomes a source of suffering itself.