The Medical journal of Australia
-
The exposure of council and forestry workers to 2,4,5-T, a plant poison, has been monitored for a period of two years. It was found that the excessive urine levels of 2,4,5-T fell dramatically once the exposure was minimized. Therefore, the use of protective clothing and adoption of measures to prevent inhalation exposure are essential.
-
An account of an operation for squint using acupuncture analgesia is given. This is the first ophthalmic operation carried out in Australia using this form of analgesia; and is probably the first surgical operation of any type carried out in Australia using acupuncture technique. The indications and possibilities of this method are discussed.
-
Little data are available concerning the prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in the Australian community. The present study, performed in a non-iodine deficient area, reveals a high prevalence of microsomal and thyroglobulin autoantibodies in healthy females. The proportion of females with one or either antibody is almost three times greater than that observed for males, but, in both sexes, the prevalence does increase with age.
-
A new method of hearing testing has been evaluated on a trial basis in the Baby Health Centres of the Sydney Inner Metropolitan and Illawarra Health Regions, of New South Wales. This consists of earlier and more frequent testing with a newly devised range of auditory stimuli presented in front of the child, rather than behind the child. The reason for the change is that earlier detection leads to earlier treatment and improved speech. The new method will assess whether there is adequate hearing for speech development.
-
Two cases of neurocysticercosis which occurred in migrant women are reported. This disease, produced from the larval form of the pig tapeworm, Taenia solium, is not endemic in Australia. It is prevalent in Latin America, India, parts of Africa and eastern Europe and some Mediterranean areas. Where the possibility of exposure to this parasite exists, neurocysticercosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of late-onset epilepsy, hydrocephalus, focal fits, progressive dementia, and in spinal cord tumours.