[Caustic lesions of the upper digestive tract. Our experience]. / Le lesioni da caustici del tubo digestivo superiore. Nostra esperienza.

The authors take into consideration 21 cases of caustic burns of the superior digestive tract. In 6 cases (29%) the extent of lesions has impelled emergency surgery. In case of total exeresis of the esophagogastric tract, according to their experience, the preferred operation is at closed thorax following the esophageal stripping technique.

[Healthy carriers of positive staphypococcal coagulase and the prevention of food poisonings in aircraft catering]. / Il portatore sano di stafilococco coagulasi positivo e la profilassi delle tossinfezioni alimentari nel catering aereo.

The most scrupulous respect should be paid to rules of hygiene in aircraft catering. In addition, human beings are the most dangerous vectors of food poisoning and infection. Enterotoxic staphylococci are responsible for about 75% of such cases. A year-long check was therefore made on the staff of a firm engaged in intercontinental aircraft catering. A total of 1.135 bacteriological examinations were carried out on biological specimens from the oropharyngeal cavity. 9.42% of those engaged in various food preparation processes were identified as healthy carriers of coagulase-positive staphylococcus and cleared. Comparison between the seasonal and monthly incidence figures fokr healthy carriers showed that December and January are the most dangerous months in the northern hemisphere and at European latitudes, with an average of 15% of positives. Equally dangerous is the winter season, in which diseases of the "cold" type are generally endemic.

[Thoracic injuries in the field of aviation medicine]. / I traumi toracici in ambiente aeromedico

In civil and war traumatology, 33% of deaths are due to chest traumas although this involves only 25% of cases. Examination of the physiopathy clinical medicine and treatment of the various traumatic lesions of the chest and their complications shows that rapid transfer of such patients to suitable places of treatment following adequate first aid is indispensable. The use of fully equipped aircraft is thus vital. Transport criteria are dictated by the environment, first aid resources, meterorological conditions, cruising altitude, available equipment [an automatic respirator and aspirator are essential], the training of staff, and the conditions of the patient. Above all, however, the situation is a function of the handling of the patient on the ground in relation to the facilities available on board the craft. It can be stated in conclusion that aircraft in traumatology are the best way of saving lives, not only when the patient's chest is damaged.