The British journal of surgery
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A review of all patients with major head injuries transferred to a regional neurosurgical unit for the years 1975 and 1976 has been carried out for comparison with the total number of patients with head injury admitted to district general hospitals of the region. Fifty-four per cent of patients admitted to the neurosurgical unit have resumed their old occupation and 20 per cent died. The significance of these figures is discussed, particularly in the light of the need for a more comprehensive policy for treating head injuries within the United Kingdom.
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Fifty patients with penetrating wounds of the heart were grouped into three categories, based on the clinical severity of the injuries. Gunshot wounds consistently resulted in a higher mortality than knife wounds. ⋯ The survival rates in the respective groups were 6, 79 and 100 per cent. The improved survival in our series was due to a rapid transportation system, increased awareness of the significance of cardiac injuries and an aggressive surgical approach.
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In 1970 the Government of the State of Victoria became the first in the 'western' world to introduce legislation for compulsory wearing of seat belts. Within 14 months the other Australian states followed. Seat belt wearing rates increased to attain 90 per cent in 1977. ⋯ The legislation did not apply to child passengers of less than 8 years of age and the frequency of seat belt or harness wearing among them remained low. These children did not share in the overall improvement for passengers. The Australian experience supports the view that legislation for compulsory wearing of seat belts is the single most effective method available for the protection of vehicle occupants in road crashes.