Profile of methyl parathion poisoning in Manipal, India.

The main objective of this study was to collect data with regard to the pattern of acute methyl parathion poisoning in this part of the world. One hundred and fifty three patients with organophosphate poisoning presented to Kasturba Hospital, Manipal between January 2001 and December 2002, out of which 58 cases (37.9%) were due to methyl parathion exposure. The commonest reason for poisoning was suicide (98.2%). A significant proportion of victims were male (72.4%), many in the 21–30 years age group (43.1%). In 77.5% of the cases, the poisoning incident occurred during daytime. Manifestations were predominantly muscarinic in nature, and the median value of serum pseudocholinesterase at admission was 2407.5 IU/L. Respiratory failure was the commonest complication (41.2%). 25.8% of the cases ended in death, and 40% of these succumbed within 24 hours of exposure.

Validity of consent--a review of statutes.

In recent years there have been a number of malpractice suits based on lack of consent or inadequate consent from the patient for the procedure used in treatment. This is a particularly dangerous suit for the doctor since the burden of proof lies on the doctor. Furthermore since the suit is based on intentional assault, some insurance policies do not cover the doctor for his liability. The common meaning of consent is permission, whereas the law perceives it as a contract i.e. an agreement enforceable by law. So a doctor needs to understand the legal basis of consent rather than the common meaning of it. The present article aims to discuss the various legal aspects of consent as viewed in the Indian law.

Reconstruction of skull by endocranial groove: A case report.

Identification of an individual is one of the requisites in establishing the corpus delicti. Here, we discuss a case of establishing corpus delicti based on the continuance of the vascular groove on the endocranial surface, by matching two pieces of skull bone that were recovered at the crime scene and preserved at autopsy.

Intermediate syndrome in organophosphorous poisoning.

One hundred and fifty three cases of Organophosphorous poisoning cases presented to Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, India during a 2 year period ( 2001- 2002), out of which 45 cases (29.4%) had features of Intermediate Syndrome. Largest number of victims were in the age group of 21-30 years (37.7%). Males predominated (71.1%). Methyl Parathion was the commonest compound (57.7%). Respiratory muscle weakness was the most common manifestation seen (84.4%). Mortality was 22.3%.