South African Medical Journal - Volume 48, Issue 46, September 1974

After the initial reports on aorta-to-coronary artery bypass grafting, the evolution of this procedure has witnessed a number of medical criticisms and surgical appraisals.

Serum pyridoxal vitamin B12 serum and red cell folate and haemoglobin levels were measured in a large group of women taking part in the Busselton population survey.

This study records the use of intravenous prostaglandin E2 in 23 consecutive cases of intra-uterine fetal death in the third trimester of pregnancy.

In a series of 78 patients with secondary amyloidosis, associated neoplastic diseases were found in 13 (17%).

Ova of Paragonimus species were observed in faecal specimens from a paediatric patient at King Edward VIII Hospital and from a cat from the Durban area.

A simple, inexpensive method which provides increased carbon dioxide tension for the primary isolation of mycobacteria is descriptionbed.

Incompatibility of parenteral drug admixtures is a subject with such wide ramifications that the problem of correlating all the factors will in future probably only be controlled by computer techniques. In the meantime, a knowledge of pH factors and a sound reference library, together with a pre-planned use of drug combinations wherever possible, will do much to alleviate the problem.

With the tremendous advances in assessment and treatment of trauma there is a concomitant necessity for an improvement in the organisation of accident services in hospitals.

Experience over a period of 3.5 years shows that two-way radio, and good co-operation with nursing staff, can alleviate a shortage of doctors and make a basic community medical service possible in an outlying area.

Data available on the increase in sudden asthma deaths during 1964 to 1967 in a number of countries do not allow for the condemnation of pressurised aerosols.

A preliminary survey of the pattern of family relationships among the Xhosa in Tsolo (Transkei) has been done in order to draw the attention of doctors, especially psychiatrists, to the changes that are occurring as a result of the transition from rural to industrial living.