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Biomedical subjects

B Flaherty

Publications and source records attributed to B Flaherty.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Compulsory treatment of alcoholism: the case against.

The need for compulsory detention in the management of alcohol-dependent persons is reviewed with a particular focus on legislation in New South Wales (NSW). It is argued that there is no justification for the severe loss of civil liberties in order to provide a general power of involuntary alcoholism treatment since such treatment is basically ineffective and in any case little treatment is actually given to those detained. The selective operation of the NSW Inebriates Act (in terms of class and race biases) is noted. The special circumstances of those who suffer severe alcohol-related brain damage and those who are in acute life-threatening circumstances are discussed. It is suggested that these cases are adequately covered by existing Mental Health and Guardianship legislation, obviating the need for special legislation such as an Inebriates Act.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1990

The drug market position of cocaine among young adults in Sydney.

A study was undertaken to explore the 'market position' of cocaine among young adults in Sydney, Australia. The intention was to estimate how likely Australia is to experience an epidemic of cocaine use if the availability of the drug was to increase. A sample of 499 young adults in which illicit drug users were overrepresented were surveyed. The results suggested that there was not a large untapped market for cocaine. In terms of risk and attraction, cocaine was perceived to be more like the traditional 'hard drugs' of heroin, stimulants and hallucinogens than the traditional 'soft drugs' of alcohol and marijuana. Only 5% of the sample were prepared to try cocaine if offered it by a close friend.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Reflex responses to ankle perturbations during electrical stimulation of muscle: 1. Measurement techniques and preliminary examples.

Electrical stimulation of muscle has been proposed as a technique to restore function to paralyzed muscles. But, from a control stand-point, little is known about how such artificial activation interacts with the still intact spinal reflex loops. We have developed instrumentation to measure and compare ankle compliance and muscle EMG activity when the ankle is subjected to perturbations in torque or angular position from bias positions that are achieved volitionally or via electrical muscle stimulation. We deliver precise torque or position perturbations (step, ramp, sinusoidal, random) to the ankle via a pivoting footplate driven by a computer-controlled torque motor. Angular displacement, torque, acceleration, and 2 to 4 channels of electromyographic (EMG) data are collected on analog (VHS) tape and simultaneously digitized and stored. Torque or position biases to normal ankle equilibrium position are applied volitionally (for the neurologically intact) or via electrical stimulation of the Gastroc/Soleus or the Tibialis Anterior muscle (for either the neurologically intact or spinal cord injured). A special stimulator/recording amplifier permits the recording of EMG signals from the muscle being stimulated. An overview of the features and response characteristics of the perturbation system and a comparison from preliminary studies of responses at different biases achieved volitionally versus those achieved by stimulation are presented.

Ankle Joint↗
PubMed1977

A comparative study of long-stay psychiatric patients discharged to boarding houses and satellite houses.

A comparative psychosocial study of two groups of long-stay psychiatric patients discharged from Callan Park Hospital to boarding houses and satellite houses in the Callan Park Hospital region is reported. It was concluded that the social and vocational functioning of both groups was at a low level but that satellite house residents had more spare money and described a less institutionalized and a more homely environment in satellite houses.

Attitude to Health↗