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Biomedical subjects

D F Hoeffler

Publications and source records attributed to D F Hoeffler.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

"Swimmers' itch" (cercarial dermatitis).

Cercarial dermatitis is a parasitic disease affecting the skin. It may be encountered in fresh or salt water and is global in its distribution. It is a potential economic hazard to persons who work in aquatic environments and to the tourist industry. Cercarial dermatitis should be considered a potential risk whenever warm-blooded and molluscan hosts share a water resource with man. It is characteristically a self-limited, severely itching rash that lasts about one week and may be easily mistaken for insect bites. Prevention of the disease is difficult. Treatment is primarily directed toward relief of symptoms and prevention of infection.

Animals↗

Smoking and respiratory illness in military recruits.

The effect of smoking on respiratory illness was investigated at a naval recruit camp. All recruits entering training during an 11-month period, beginning in February 1971, were included in the study. Questionnaires in regard to smoking habits were administered on arrival and during the last week of training. Facts of illness were obtained from each recruit's health record during the last week of training and abstracted onto electronic accounting machine (EAM) cards. Data on a sample of 1,100 men, who had complete records, were analyzed. Two thirds of the men were smokers on arrival. Heavy smokers had a longer history of smoking. The majority of recruits decreased smoking during training. Significantly more heavy smokers than light smokers or nonsmokers had symptoms of chronic respiratory involvement. No statistically significant increases in respiratory illness were observed in smokers.

Adolescent↗

Current patterns of acute respiratory disease in the United States Navy and Marine Corps.

During 1974 there was an apparent decrease in the reported amount of acute respiratory illness in the Navy and Marine Corps. Streptococcal infections continued to be controlled by the selective use of prophylactic benzathine penicillin in recruit training centers. Influenza immunization limited the impact of that illness, and serogroup C polysaccharide vaccine reduced the amount of meningococcal disease among recruits. Although some of the data are contradictory there are indications that fully potent live adenovirus vaccines lessen the frequency and severity of respiratory illness in recruit populations. Continued epidemiologic study will be required to fill the gaps in our knowledge.

Acute Disease↗