Pediatric prescribing in Karachi

To assess amount of drug overuse we studied drug prescribing for common childhood problems by 65 general practitioners [GPs] and 29 paediatricians. A total of 2433 encounters between GPs or paediatricians and children under five years of age were observed. The presenting complaints were fever in 18%, cough in 9%, both fever and cough in 21%, vomiting in 20% and diarrhoea in 41% of encounters. Antibacterials were prescribed in 49% of encounters, analgesics and antipyretics in 29%, antiemetics in 8% and injectables in 15%. Antidiarrhoeals were prescribed in 41% encounters with children reported to have diarrhoea. Ampicillin and cotrimoxazole were the two common antibacterials prescribed by both GPs and paediatricians. Antibacterials were prescribed in significantly larger number of encounters with GPs than in those with paediatricians. Mean encounter time of patients with GPs was 3.4 +/- 2.7 minutes and with paediatricians 9.7 +/- 4.1 minutes

Metal contamination of water from copper, iron stainless steel, brass and tinplated cooking utensils

The commonly used cooking utensils in Pakistan are of aluminium, anodized aluminium, iron, stainless steel, copper, brass, tin, and certain plated metals [tin and lead plated]. Uptil now. little published work, in Pakistan has been available to evaluate the metal contamination of food. It was also noticed that metal contamination of food was quite oftenly ignored in studying the causation of disease phenomena. The purpose of this study was to assess the amount of different metals leached during boiling process and to discuss the effects of metals contamination. In this study 5 cooking utensils of different metals were used and it was found that almost negligible amount of metal was leached from stainless steel, iron and tin plated cooking utensils. On the contrary, high amount of metal was leached from brass and copper [unplated] utensils

Chemical warfare agents

The subject of chemical warfare [CW] Agents has gained importance in recent years. Research is on-going on different chemicals. This paper highlights anticholinesterases, the nerve agents, which present the main threat. Emphasis has been laid upon the clinical manifestatins, decontamination and treatment with enzyme reactivators, atropine and anticonvulsants. Ocular treatment has also been stressed. Decontamination of the casualties is an important measure which should be dealt with speedily and effectively. Lack of clinical experience precludes proper diagnosis of such casualties in the theatre of war, thus precious time is wasted before the casualty is recognized and treated. Certain recommendations have also been made keeping in view the geoplitical scenario and our preparation to combat CW threat

Bronchogenic cyst in supraclavicular region A case report

A case of Bronchogenic cyst occurring in an unusual site is described. Macroscopic features of the lesion at operation were suggestive of a cystic lesion. The diagnosis of a bronchogenic [bronchial] cyst was made solely by histological examination. A search of the available literature has failed to reveal a similar case