Scot Med J
-
Biography Historical Article
Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole: which is the forgotten hero of health care and why?
This paper aims at correcting misinformation in circulation portraying Mary Seacole as a nurse, Crimean War heroine, and health care pioneer, even, for some, a replacement for Florence Nightingale, who really was a health care pioneer as well as being the major founder of the modern profession of nursing. ⋯ The article concludes with remarks on how Nightingale came to be forgotten as a health care pioneer, with comments on the two major sources that attacked her reputation, F.B. Smith in 1982, and Hugh Small in 1998. Detailed refutations in peer-reviewed sources are referenced. Finally, it is suggested that recent scandals in English hospital care, documented in the Francis Report, may provoke a revival of interest in Nightingale's principles and methods.
-
Necrotising soft tissue infection (NSTI) is an extremely serious condition that relies on a high index of suspicion, prompt diagnosis and emergent radical surgical treatment. We explored the presentation, management and outcomes of NSTI within our department. We also assessed the potential benefit of using risk predictor scoring system. ⋯ Physicians and surgeons need to be suspicious of NSTI in severe cases of soft tissue infection to prevent delay in diagnosis and life-saving treatment. Scoring system can be used judiciously as adjunct to aid diagnosis.
-
We describe the novel anatomical distribution of exostoses in patients with hereditary multiple exostoses according to their gender and genotype. ⋯ The anatomical distribution of exostoses varies according to genotype and gender; however, the reason for this difference is not clear and may relate to different biochemical pathways.
-
Comparative Study Historical Article
Changing epidemiology of adult fractures in Scotland.
Fracture epidemiology in adults is changing but there is very little information about the rate of change or whether the change affects males and females equally. ⋯ There has been a substantial change in the incidence of fractures in the last 50-60 years. These have been caused by greater longevity and by considerable social and economic changes.
-
Phase III trials have shown that the addition of a taxane to cisplatin/5FU-based induction chemotherapy (TPF) improves response rates and overall survival in unresectable stage III/IV head and neck cancer. We sought to assess the tolerability, compliance and clinical outcomes of this treatment regime. ⋯ TPF chemotherapy can be delivered safely in a non-trial cohort of patients. There is, however, a significant reduction in concurrent chemotherapy dose intensity. The long-term impact of this remains unclear.