The Medical journal of Australia
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Comparative Study
Antivenom dosing in 35 patients with severe brown snake (Pseudonaja) envenoming in Western Australia over 10 years.
To investigate the doses of antivenom administered to adult patients with severe brown snake envenoming. ⋯ Patients received initial doses of antivenom too small to neutralise circulating venom, and remained afibrinogenaemic for prolonged periods, with serious consequences. The authors now use 10 ampoules as an initial dose in severe brown snake envenoming.
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Comparative Study
The perils of pet ownership: a new fall-injury risk factor.
To describe fall-related injuries due to pets in an older population. ⋯ Pets are a potential environmental hazard in the occurrence of fall-related injuries in older people, with dogs and cats most likely to be involved. Women appear more likely than men to be injured.
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(1) To assess the number and severity of episodes of Irukandji syndrome in Broome, Western Australia. (2) To correlate demographic, seasonal, geographic and climatic features of Irukandji stings. (3) To assess treatment of Irukandji syndrome at Broome Health Service. (4) To assess the public health impact. ⋯ The rate of envenomation in northern WA is likely to be the highest currently documented in Australia. There is syndromic variability when compared with the north Queensland experience. This implies different causative jellyfish species that are not yet identified. Stings in Broome can be severe and life threatening; there are significant commercial and public health implications as a result. Management at Broome Hospital is contemporary and effective.