Imported infectious diseases being seen more often in consequence of intensive human contacts with developing countries through labourers and tourists, but also in consequence of immigration and of import of exotic diseases and of food, favoured by the quick air traffic, can be divided into 5 groups: 1. Imported diseases from the tropics (exotic diseases) 2. Imported agents from the tropics with human infection in the native country 3. Re-importation of diseases which were eliminated in the homelands 4. Diseases which are as well imported as also native 5. Single disease importations from neighboured countries. The imported infections are discussed systematically, caused by viruses, rickettsias, bacteries, protozoes, fungi, and followed by references to statistics, laboratory infection reports, questions of insurance. Imported diseases of the future are especially mentioned. Knowledge of the tropical infections as a main danger for our "civilized" world should be part of the medical training, since imported infectious diseases cause an epidemiologic challenge in the modern picture of communicable infections.

Bacterial Infections↗

PubMed1977

[Gerontology in rural and mountains regions aged people in the country and in mountain regions (author's transl)].

The gerontologic problems of people living in the country and in mountain regions always were neglected in comparison to those of townsmen. In the last decade an important structural change has happened, caused on the one side by the fact that more and more people leave the country for the towns, and by the problem of overaged persons in the country; on the other side this change is a consequence of improvement by modern technical acquisitions (more agricultural machines, silos), living hygiene and the tourism. The living conditions in the past and today in Switzerland are shown, referring to various publications. The ecological change also hits the aged people, financially by revenues, completion of private help organizations, rebuilding of homes for the aged persons in every village and regional nursing home, as well as household helps for those elderly people who still live in the country in their own houses. The qualitative differences between living conditions in the country and in town will in the near future be equalized--which is especially mentionned.

Aged↗

PubMed1977

[General directions for the care of the dying patient by the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences (author's transl)].

The medical ethical and legal principles for the care of the dying are given, different for the patient with judgement and for the inconscieous patient. Contrary to the patient in danger of death (Moriturus) where the doctor has the duty to save the live, in the case of the dying (Moribundus), where the disease is irreversible and the prognosis irremediable, passive euthanasy is permitted. Here the human assistance from man to man is essential. In a separate paper of the directions answer is given to special medical questions in the care of the dying.

Academies and Institutes↗

PubMed1977