ABSTRACT
This study seeks to investigate the incidence of psychiatric casualties in 1 Commonwealth Division during the Korean War. It had been hypothesized that these casualties were unusually low compared with earlier conflicts. Casualty returns and psychiatric reports were analyzed and showed that the war fell into two phases determined by the intensity of combat, which, in turn, influenced the nature of the psychiatric disorders encountered. Rates of acute combat stress were closely correlated with battle casualties, although not with total psychiatric admissions or nonbattle injuries. The limitations imposed on the psychiatric liaison service by the medical organization suggested that the incidence of psychosomatic cases, including cold injury, may have been unintentionally underreported.
Subject(s)
Combat Disorders , Mental Disorders , Military Personnel , Military Psychiatry , Warfare , Wounds and Injuries , Combat Disorders/epidemiology , Frostbite/epidemiology , History, 20th Century , Humans , Hypothermia/epidemiology , Korea , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Patient Admission/statistics & numerical data , Seasons , United Kingdom/epidemiology , Wounds and Injuries/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Many studies have drawn attention to deficiencies in the management of major trauma, both in the UK and elsewhere. One area that has received little attention is the documentation of such cases in the Emergency Room. When outcome may be sub-optimal, documentation assumes greater importance if advances are to be made in the organisation of trauma care. Based upon the American College of Surgeons Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocols, the authors have designed a document that records dynamically what happens to the multiply injured victim on arrival in the Emergency Room. It unifies the recording of vital signs, whilst acting as an assessment and resuscitation template. By ensuring no life-threatening illness is missed it is likely to improve patient survival. The document can act as a basis for teaching and a medico-legal record, whilst providing the necessary data for quality assurance and outcome audit.
Subject(s)
Emergency Service, Hospital , Life Support Care , Medical Records , Wounds and Injuries/therapy , Clinical Protocols , Emergency Service, Hospital/standards , Humans , Medical History Taking/standards , Prospective Studies , United KingdomABSTRACT
We describe 2 cases of recurrent dislocation of the shoulder in free-fall parachutists that occurred while falling free. We suggest that in such sportsmen surgical repair should be effected after the first dislocation.
