Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to E B Ovuga.
The issue of criminal responsibility is no easy matter to resolve at times. One such instance is offered by the case of the sleep walker who commits a violent act in the course of his sleep. However, sleep-walking disorder has not received much professional attention. In this article the author reports one case of sleep-waking disorder (Somnambulism) in which murder was committed in cold blood.
Out of 1,816 patients admitted to Umzimkulu Hospital between 1976 and 1982, 378 (20.8%) received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in combination with drugs. The use of ECT at this hospital is described and comparisons are made between ECT and non-ECT patients using length of stay in hospital as the criterion variable. The percentage of patients receiving ECT dropped from 32% in 1976 to 6% in 1982, when it was discontinued. ECT patients tended to be slightly younger and stayed in hospital a few days more. There was a tendency for all groups patients, male v. female, first admissions v. previously admitted, to stay in hospital slightly longer if they received ECT. It is suggested that the use of ECT in addition to neuroleptics was probably a reflection of the severity of symptomatology.
Criminal responsibility is established on the basis of intent and the usual absence of psychiatric symptomatology. Crime constitutes a choice of actions in response to stress and may be directed by clear-cut motives. For the empirical assessment of criminal responsibility the offender should initially be considered responsible for his or her criminal deeds until all relevant psychiatric facts prove otherwise. A clinical instrument that has been used by the author for this purpose is described in this paper.
The study of suicidal behavior is so complex that the search continues for clues that might explain why some people make successful suicide attempts on their lives. In this article, the authors describe attitudes and psychological characteristics of suicidal psychiatric patients and university students in Transkei. Using a specially designed suicide proneness inventory, the authors describe three factors associated with suicide proneness in Transkei, namely, Suicidal Ideation, Feeling Abandoned, and Lack of Self-Esteem. The findings suggest that suicide wishes are probably more prevalent in the general population than clinical evidence might suggest. Also, it appears that the two most important factors associated with high risk for suicide are a person's inability to cope with stressful situations and a negative personal attitude toward life.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.