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Biomedical subjects

R Magee

Publications and source records attributed to R Magee.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Art macabre: resurrectionists and anatomists.

The teaching of anatomy in England and Scotland from the 16th to the 19th centuries was carried out by the Companies of Barber Surgeons and also there were a number of private schools. The only sources of material for dissection and study were the gallows or the grave and the supply from the former was limited by law. Therefore the latter became the source of a saleable commodity, and so the profession of grave robbing became established. The taking of bodies was abhorrent to the populace, fights and riots would sometimes occur and public outrage was directed towards anatomists. The passing of the Anatomy Act of 1832 helped bring an end to the grisly business of snatching bodies, but the supply of material for study still remained a problem. In the 1920s there was a change in public attitude toward dissection which resulted in an increase in the donation of bodies.

Anatomy↗
PubMed2001

Screening for renal disease: the role of the practice nurse.

Screening tests for renal disease are inexpensive, easy to carry out and simple to interpret. Nurses in general practice can provide screening for high-risk populations and interpret the results of these tests. Practice nurses can also provide patient information about renal disease, which will both improve patients' quality of life and save time and money for the NHS.

Humans↗
PubMed2000

Robert Liston and vascular surgery.

Robert Liston was a general surgeon who dealt with all conditions that were presented to him, and in his practice saw a number of cases that involved the vascular system. These were mainly wounds of vessels, aneurysms and vascular tumours. His writings on the subject have been reviewed with some examples of the cases he had to treat.

General Surgery↗
PubMed2000

Duels, doctors and death.

Duelling as a method of settling disputes between gentlemen was practised in the British Isles and on the Continent from the 16th to the beginning of the 20th century. In early duels the victory would go to the better swordsman, but the use of pistols not only made the contest more deadly, but also more democratic. The social aspects, the indications for a challenge, the material and methods and the mortality and morbidity of the contest are considered. Mention is made of a case in which John Hunter was consulted. Its management, progress and autopsy findings are described together with Hunter's thoughts about it and the management of similar wounds.

Europe↗
PubMed1999

Deriving opera from operation.

Male castration has been practised for centuries in many parts of the world. In Italy in the 16th to the 19th centuries it was performed for the purpose of preserving the soprano voice of boys. The castrati performed in the church choirs, but in the field of opera they achieved the popularity and status of the modern day rock singers. An outline of the operative procedure is given with its physiological consequences, and mention is made of some of the singers who achieved fame at that time. Recently an attempt has been made to reproduce the sound of the castrato voice using the facilities of modern electronic technology.

History, 16th Century↗
PubMed1999

Robert Liston: surgeon extraordinary.

Robert Liston was probably the best surgeon in his day, being noted for his skill and his speed as an operator. His life as surgeon, teacher and writer have been reviewed. Examples of some of his cases are given to illustrate the outstanding ability of this man in the pre-anaesthetic era.

Education, Medical↗
PubMed1999

Further clinical clarification of the muscle dysfunction in cervical headache.

The Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society listed impairments in cervical muscle function as criteria for headaches of cervical spine origin. Fifteen subjects with cervical headache and 15 controls were tested for the frequency of abnormal responses to passive stretching and abnormal muscle contraction. A new test of cranio-cervical flexion was used to assess the contraction of the deep neck flexors. Results indicated a trend towards a higher frequency of abnormal response to passive stretching of the muscles examined in the cervical headache group but only the upper trapezius proved significantly different to the control group. Deep neck flexor muscle contraction was significantly inferior in the cervical headache group. From the perspective of physical characterization of cervical headache, it appears that response from passive stretch of muscle may not be a strong criterion for cervical headache but deep neck flexor performance may have potential to identify musculoskeletal involvement in headache. The finding may also provide positive directions for conservative treatment of cervical headache.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Saints in surgery.

There are nearly 300 saints whose names are associated with diseases or the cure of the sick and this relationship has come about either by some miracle attributed to them or by some aspect of their martyrdom. Some diseases have a number of saints as patrons and some saints have many different patronages. A selection has been made of some that have an association with surgical conditions.

General Surgery↗
PubMed1998

Amputation through the ages: the oldest major surgical operation.

Amputation has been practised since neolithic times for punitive, therapeutic and ritualistic reasons. Until the development and adoption of general anaesthesia, it was the most major operation to which a surgeon could aspire and a speedy technique was essential. Many famous names have been associated with this operation in both military and civilian surgery.

Amputation, Surgical↗
PubMed1997

The effects of research on clinical practice: the use of restraints.

The investigators have conducted a series of four descriptive, clinical studies to examine the nature of restraint use in extended care and nursing home units in a veterans' facility. Based on the findings of three of these studies, staff education and policy changes were implemented with the intent of decreasing the use of restraints. The present and fourth study in the series examines whether the use of restraints decreased from 1990 to 1993, after policy changes and staff education were initiated. Findings indicate that the frequency of restraint use decreased by almost half, from 25% to 14%. In addition, falls did not increase, but those falling were less likely to be restrained. These findings illustrate the importance of research in setting a course for positive change in clinical practice.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1995

Muskets, musket balls and the wounds they made.

Gunshot wounds are a common occurrence today in both military and civilian situations. This paper discusses the development of the weapons, their capabilities, the type of wounds produced and their management in earlier times. A brief comparison is made with the wounds produced by modern firearms. It may be concluded that the earlier wounds were simpler due to the lower velocity of the projectile and therefore a more conservative approach to treatment was acceptable.

Europe↗
PubMed1994

Speech-language patterns in a child with moya moya disease.

Moya Moya disease is a cerebrovascular condition associated with occlusion of the terminal portion of the internal carotid artery along with the appearance of an abnormal net-like system of collateral blood vessels. This paper presents a description beginning in 1973 over a 6-yr. period of the speech-language performance of a Caucasian female diagnosed with the disease.

Child↗
PubMed1994

Extended care and nursing home staff attitudes toward restraints. Moderately positive attitudes exist.

1. The average score on the Restraint Questionnaire for Staff indicated that the extended care and nursing home staff members in the study presented had moderately positive attitudes toward using restraints. 2. There were no significant differences in attitude scores based on gender, position, education, or clinical experience. 3. Collaborating with another professional, especially a physician, was related to a more positive attitude toward restraints; this effect approached statistical significance. 4. Sixty-five percent of the staff could offer no alternatives to restraining a patient; for those who could offer an alternative, increasing staff size was cited most frequently.

Female↗
PubMed1993

Patient and family perceptions of restraints.

Based on a holistic philosophy that aging persons' most primary need is that of autonomy and freedom, this qualitative descriptive study examined patients' and their family members' perceptions of the restraint procedure. Twenty-five restrained patients were interviewed, and 19 of their family members completed mailed surveys to describe their perceptions about restraints. Results indicated that the majority of patients (52%) expressed negative feelings about being restrained. Family members expressed a wide variety of feelings and were ambivalent about seeing a loved one restrained. Implications are that nursing needs to become committed to the philosophy of autonomy and freedom for elderly persons.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Institutional policy: use of restraints in extended care and nursing homes.

1. The percentage of patients restrained on these nursing home and extended care units was 32%, similar to that for other nursing home studies. 2. The archetypical restrained patient was older, new on the unit, had altered thought processes and a high potential for injury, and required extensive nursing care. Typically, the type of restraint a patient wore was a vest posey, on the day shift while in his room. 3. The most frequent rationale given by nurses for applying restraints was to prevent patient falls; however, half the time, this rationale was not charted. 4. Upon examining institutional restraint policy, nurses should be prepared to implement changes in documentation format, provide staff education regarding restraint use and alternatives available, institute a rehabilitative and restorative nursing care and fall prevention program, redesign the physical environment, and designate adequate resources for an effective diversion activity program.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Saint Anthony's fire revisited. Vascular problems associated with migraine medication.

Ergotamine and related compounds have been used for many years in the management of migraine. This review highlights the potential for toxic effects upon the arterial system which may arise from the use of ergot medications. Data on four female patients aged from 30 to 49 years were collected retrospectively from in-patient records and out-patient follow-up between 1978 and 1990. All four patients presented with the symptoms and signs of arterial obstruction and all had been prescribed ergot preparations as treatment and prophylaxis of migraine, for periods ranging from three to 12 years. Two patients had an acute arterial obstruction that resolved completely when the migraine medication was withdrawn. Two had chronic obstructions and radiological and surgical examination gave evidence of arterial stenosis. These two patients were treated with bypass surgery. Review of the literature indicated that other authors had described similar cases but without specifying the methods of data collection. This report supports the findings of others regarding the toxic effects of ergot preparations upon the arterial system, which may take the form of chronic or acute obstruction. General practitioners and physicians should be aware of the possible complications arising from prolonged or excessive use of ergot medications.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Chelation treatment of atherosclerosis.

Edetate disodium (EDTA) is a chelating agent which has no place in the treatment of atherosclerosis and its complications. Also, its toxic effects can cause other problems which may lead to a fatal outcome. Proper investigation and treatment may sometimes be delayed by a patient's faith in such therapy. The dangers of chelation therapy, and the opinion of the Commonwealth Department of Health and other writers on this subject, are stated.

Aged↗