The Medical journal of Australia
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Mebendazole, a new broad-spectrum oral anthelmintic for nematodes, was given to patients harboring whipworm in a hospital for the mentally retarded. A three-day regimen (100 mg twice a day) dewormed 75% of the subjects, a five-day regimen cured 95%. ⋯ No untoward effects were noted clinically. It is the drug of choice in mixed worm infestations.
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It is current practice to order eye protection while patients are under treatment with psoralen. There is considerable variation in the protection against long wave light provided by different sunglasses, therefore, it is necessary to write a specific prescription for sunglasses for these patients. We have found Noir Model 102 or 109 with side flaps or the Rayban dark green glass to be the most effective.
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The review demonstrates that there is no justification for delay in treating babies who present with strabismus. A survey of 750 infants aged from 0 to 36 months among 5497 cases seen by an individual orthoptist over 25 years shows a decreasing use of surgery and an increasing proportion of fully functional results over this time. It emphasizes that no infant is too young for assessment and treatment.
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The results of a survey of the attitudes of 92 women from an Aboriginal community towards childbearing and family planning are presented. The majority of the women stated a preference for well-spaced families of a size which enabled a mother to care adequately for her children. ⋯ One of the authors (JR) suggests that these attitudes reflect traditional norms of family structure, and that they are also based on a critical appraisal by the women of the community of the demands of caring for young children. These demands are exacerbated by a depressed socioeconomic environment.