The Medical journal of Australia
-
Eighty paid student volunteers (35 male, 45 female) were used in an experiment to investigate the effects of a therapeutic dose of clemastine (1 mg) alone and in combination with a social dose of ethanol (0.54 g/kg) on perceptual, cognitive and motor functions. Both drugs were given orally. Clemastine did not significantly modify performance when given alone, and the performance decrements induced by ethanol were not enhanced by clemastine premedication.
-
An extended follow up of the first 50 opiate addicts in Australasia to be treated with methadone blockade is described. At follow up, 43 patients were traced and assessed. ⋯ The therapy in 28% of patients was judged as being completely successful, while 70% of patients complied with criteria of leading reasonably happy and productive lives. Methadone blockade (over 100 mg a day) offers the opiate addict an excellent opportunity for recovery and rehabilitation, provided that the treatment is properly understood, administered, and followed up.
-
The results in a small series of patients with clinical cholecystitis, but who had no stones, on whom operation was performed are compared with results in a larger series of patients who had stones. The results suggest that, if a clinical diagnosis is made and other causes of symptoms have been excluded, the results of operation are almost as successful as in those having stones. Patients should not be denied operative relief if the symptoms strongly suggest gall bladder disease even if no stones are shown on X-ray examination.
-
A patient with metastatic medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, Cushing's syndrome, and severe diarrhoea is presented. The manifestations of Cushing's syndrome were controlled with a combination of aminogluthethimide and metyrapone. The cause of the diarrhoea has not been found, and it remains resistant to treatment.
-
An investigation of maintenance, usage, and coliform status of water in 104 domestic swimming pools in 13 Brisbane suburbs was made in January, 1978. The results showed that domestic pools are often imperfectly serviced, and are potential infection sources. The need for health education of pool owners, and for more reliable methods of pool sanitization is emphasized.