Search

Physiological and biochemical studies were carried out on 16 patients with motor neurone disease (MND). It was confirmed that the peripheral nerves in cases of MND are often unusually resistant to ischaemia especially as regards the large sensory fibres. Biochemical investigations demonstrated a tendency to carbohydrate intolerance and abnormal pyruvate metabolism. When compared with other related studies in MND it seems very likely that there is a metabolic abnormality present in MND which demands further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

, , 110-114. The levels of amoxycillin in sputum, saliva, and serum from 22 patients were estimated. Fifteen patients had pneumonia and seven had acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. The drug was given orally in a dose of 500 mg four times daily. There was considerable variation in the levels in specimens from different patients. The mean sputum levels two to three hours and six hours after the dose were 0·52 and 0·53 μg/ml respectively. The mean two-hour saliva level was 0·32 μg/ml. The mean serum levels two and six hours after the test dose were 11·0 and 3·5 μg/ml respectively. The higher levels of amoxycillin were usually associated with the presence of more pus in the sputum. The mean levels of amoxycillin at comparable times were significantly greater than those found in a previous study after the same dose of ampicillin. Clinical response to treatment occurred more rapidly in those patients with sputum levels of 0·25 μg amoxycillin per ml or above than in those with lower levels. The time taken to clear potential pathogens from the sputum was related to the pathogen rather than to the amoxycillin level, persisting for longer than [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Random samples of the weekly entry of bathers to a swimming pool were examined for tinea pedis and verruca before and at intervals after the supply of individual sachets of foot powder to all bathers. Over three and a half years the overall incidence of tinea pedis decreased from 8·5% to 2·1%, and in adult males it decreased from 21·5% to 6·9%. The incidence of infection with Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigitale decreased from 5·3% to 0·5%, and the incidence of infection with T. rubrum (1·2%-1·1%) and Epidermophyton floccosum (0·9%-0·5%) did not change significantly. The incidence of verruca decreased from 4·8% to 1·2%. Issuing foot powder clearly minimizes the spread of infection and is recommended for general use. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Four cases of poisoning by nitrous fumes are reported. Three patients presented with pulmonary oedema, and one of these progressed to the phase of bronchiolitis obliterans; the fourth patient presented with the clinical features of bronchiolitis obliterans. Pulmonary function studies in both phases showed a predominantly restrictive pattern of ventilatory abnormality with a tendency to hypoxaemia, hypocapnia, and reduced transfer factor. Complete recovery followed prompt treatment with corticosteroids. It is emphasized that three of these four accidents were preventable. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Sulphasalazine is a drug which is widely used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Although a high incidence of side effects has been reported, pulmonary complications of treatment have not been described previously. The clinical, haematological, and radiological abnormalities which occurred in one patient two months after sulphasalazine was started are described. Withdrawal of treatment was followed by recovery; reintroduction of the drug caused a relapse associated with eosinophilia and impaired pulmonary function. We suggest that the possibility of drug-induced lung disease should be considered in any patient who develops symptoms or radiographic evidence of pulmonary disease while receiving treatment with sulphasalazine. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Chemical pleurodesis using iodized talc is an effective method of treating symptomatic recurrent malignant pleural effusions. Twenty-three effusions occurring in 21 patients treated by this method are described with two illustrative case reports. The procedure eliminated the need for further chest aspiration in all but one instance. The histological appearances of the pleura at intervals after pleurodesis are also described. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]