Search

Summary: The past 20 years has seen a doubling in the worldwide prevalence of morbid obesity (usually defined as a body mass index BMI, >40 kg/m2). Scotland has one of the worst obesity records amongst developed countries. In 2010, 65.1% of all adults aged 16 and over were overweight or obese. Morbid obesity rates (BMI 40 kg/m2 or more) increased from 1.2% in 1995 to 2.7% in 2003, and fluctuated between 2.2% and 2.7% between 2008 and 2010 (Figure 1). Morbid obesity is associated with twice the mortality compared with the general population. The National Audit Office (NAO) estimated that in 1998 over 30,000 deaths a year in England were attributable to obesity, approximately 6% of all deaths in that year. Obesity is associated and with other conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis and cancer, as well as increased rates of psychiatric illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National surveys of the UK drug situation in 2000 found that cocaine was the most frequently seized Class A drug, with 25–40 tonnes of cocaine being smuggled into the UK each year. In the light of these findings, an audit of the analytical monitoring for cocaine abuse has been performed covering the period from 1996 to 2002. It was found that there has been a consistent upward trend in the percentage of requests found to be positive for cocaine over this 7-year study period, rising from 9.7% in 1996 to 22% in 2002. This data would suggest that the use of cocaine has increased dramatically over the past few years, indicating that the arrival of the “cocaine epidemic” has now started to become a reality in the UK. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Reports on the donation of Sir William James Erasmus Wilson to the University of Aberdeen in Aberdeen, Scotland to found and endow a Chair of Pathological Anatomy. Persuasion of William Pirrie for Wilson's donation; Disappointment of the first holder of the newly founded Chair of Pathology, David James Hamilton, over the only chair of pathology in Great Britain; Comparison of the personality of Wilson and Alexander Ogston.

The article presents a historical background and a critical analysis of the works of Frederick Mott, neuropathologist and founder of Maudsley Laboratories in Great Britain. It explores his contributions to neuropathology and to the pathology of mental disorders. His influence to his successor professor Frederic Lucien Golla is also discussed. According to the author, Mott's publications from 1880 onwards were focused on the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the nervous system. He states that these interests of Mott were influenced by his mentor E. A. Schäfer. He accounts that Mott and Schäfer have collaborated on two papers, including one which investigates the extent of the head and the eye area in the frontal cortex of the monkey.

Background: On 1 June 2005, amendments to the Coroners Rules 1984 were introduced in England and Wales. These principally cover the retention of tissues from autopsies and their subsequent disposal. This study assesses regional variations in the interpretations of the amendments, and their impact on local autopsy practice in Oxford. Methods: A questionnaire was circulated to pathologists in 120 coronial jurisdictions, addressing conditions under which histological material could be retained. A local review of autopsy practice was conducted before and after the introduction of the amendments. Results: Questionnaires were returned from 71 coronial jurisdictions. 35 (49%) coroners provided written guidelines on their interpretation of the amendments. In 52 (73%) jurisdictions, pathologists are authorised to retain material to confirm/refine causes of death from natural causes. In 77% of jurisdictions, coroner's officers are responsible for obtaining instructions from the next of kin on subsequent retention, use or disposal of retained tissues. In Oxford, there has been a reduction in the proportion of cases in which histology is taken, but an increase in the proportion of cases in which a histology report is issued. Conclusions: There is considerable regional variation in the interpretation of the 2005 Coroners Rules Amendments. These variations have potentially important implications for clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Editorial. Comments on the danger of hospital post mortem examinations disappearing altogether, with the associated loss of the necessary skills among consultant pathologists in Great Britain in 2004. What has been achieved through examination of post mortem human brains in the past; Neurological disorders; Implications on neurology.

The article discusses issues related to autopsy in medical practice in the Great Britain. Proposals of several government-sponsored reviews of the conduct of the medical profession in regard to autopsies have been cited. The National Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Deaths is said to be much affected by the changes in the measures that regulate the aspects of autopsy practice. Problems with the way an autopsy is carried out that resulted to unsatisfactory reports, are also discussed.

A reprint of the article "Charcot's Opinion and Criticism of German Medicine" by Dr. Stewart R. Roberts, which appeared in a December 1917 issue of the journal, is presented. The "Lecture on Senile Diseases" by a French physician named Charcot is addressed, along with the historical aspects of scientific medicine in places such as Germany, France, and England. Morbid anatomy and regeneration are also examined.

A reprint of the article "Charcot's Opinion and Criticism of German Medicine" by Dr. Stewart R. Roberts, which appeared in a December 1917 issue of the journal, is presented. The "Lecture on Senile Diseases" by a French physician named Charcot is addressed, along with the historical aspects of scientific medicine in places such as Germany, France, and England. Morbid anatomy and regeneration are also examined.

The article comments on autopsy in inner cities in Great Britain in 1994. Despite its importance in unraveling the complexities of clinical cases, autopsy is actually experiencing a decline in demand. This trend is attributed to advances in clinical investigation technology that apparently lessen the relevance of autopsy.

Reports that necropsy rates for children, younger than 16 years of age, in Great Britain are low. Details of the National Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Deaths (NCEPOD). How the NCEPOD examines the quality of care in Great Britain; Recommendations made regarding improvements to be made to necropy rates.