Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to I H Gibson.
This article describes how a memorial to transplant donors was created in a district general hospital. The subjects discussed include: how to start, the official ceremony, the value of such a venture to those concerned, finance and time involved, a description of the memorial itself, the ongoing promotion of the scheme, and the pressing need for organ donors.
AIMS: To determine serum salicylic acid concentrations in non-vegetarians and vegetarians not taking salicylate drugs, and to compare these concentrations with those found in patients taking aspirin, 75 mg daily. METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from vegetarians (n = 37) and non-vegetarians (n = 39) not taking salicylate drugs. Non-vegetarians and vegetarians were recruited from the community and from a Buddhist monastery, respectively, in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Patients (n = 14) taking aspirin (75 mg daily) were recruited from the Dumfries diabetic clinic. Serum salicylic acid concentrations were determined using a high performance liquid chromatography method with electrochemical detection. RESULTS: Salicylic acid was detected in every serum sample analysed. Higher serum concentrations of salicylic acid were found in vegetarians than non-vegetarians: median concentrations of 0.11 (range, 0.04-2.47) micromol/litre and 0.07 (range, 0.02-0.20) micromol/litre, respectively; the median of the difference was 0.05 micromol/litre (95% confidence interval for difference, 0.03 to 0.08; p < 0.0001). The median serum concentration of salicylic acid in patients taking aspirin (75 mg daily) was 10.03 (range, 0.23-25.40) micromol/litre, which was significantly higher than that found in non-vegetarians and vegetarians. There was overlap in serum salicylic acid concentrations between the vegetarians and patients taking aspirin. CONCLUSIONS: Salicylic acid, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is present in fruits and vegetables and is found in higher concentrations in vegetarians than non-vegetarians. This suggests that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables contributes to the presence of salicylic acid in vivo. There is overlap between the serum concentrations of salicylic acid in vegetarians and patients taking aspirin, 75 mg daily. These findings may explain, in part, the health promoting effects of dietary fruits and vegetables.
We report the death of a young female non-diabetic after self-administration of insulin which led to the trial and conviction of her partner, who was himself an insulin-dependent diabetic. This brings out particular lessons for the pathologist in view of the rarity of such deaths, emphasizes the importance of careful laboratory analysis and illustrates a number of interesting legal points.
This case review describes two deaths involving chainsaws. The first case describes a suicide by chainsaw and how it was differentiated from murder. The second case describes an accidental death associated with this tool which occurred within a week of the suicide in Dumfriesshire, Scotland.
Measles is a major cause of childhood mortality in the developing world. Observed trends in the USA confirm the efficacy of a measles control programme. South Africa launched such a programme in 1975 with the introduction of free vaccine for all children. In order to enhance and monitor this campaign, measles became a notifiable condition on 24 August 1979. Notifications received in the first year are reviewed and the observed patterns are discussed.
Trachoma constitutes a public health problem in several areas of the RSA. The epidemiology of trachoma is examined. The notifications of trachoma for the past decade are presented and the value of notification of this disease is discussed. Control of blindness due to trachoma may be achieved by involving the community in which it occurs.
The current cholera epidemic in the RSA began in October 1980 and is part of the seventh pandemic. Initial investigation of the epidemic revealed a virtually closed system of water supply, which explained the distribution of the early cases. The spread of cholera in the RSA is examined and local factors contributing to cholera transmission are discussed. Attempts are being made to prevent cholera from becoming endemic in the RSA and long-term improvements in health facilities in the susceptible areas of the country are being undertaken.
The number of poliomyelitis notifications in South Africa has declined in recent years although small outbreaks continue to occur. The feasibility of total eradication of the wild virus from the RSA is examined.
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