Design and preparation of a formulary--guide to the prescribing of medicines.

In recent years there has been a renewed interest in the use of local hospital 'formularies'. The development and preparation at The London Hospital (Whitechapel) of a guide of prescribing which embraces and extends the concept of a formulary is described. A method of involving staff in the preparation of text was developed to ensure the rapid production of a reasonably comprehensive guide which would command respect and a high degree of compliance. The use of word-processing techniques and graphic design expertise are described. The guide has been carefully introduced together with plans for monitoring compliance and its influence on drug expenditure. These are discussed in the light of one year's experience with the guide.

Prevalence of meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) in white-tailed deer from New Hampshire.

Parelaphostrongylus tenuis was found in 79 (62.2%) of 127 white-tailed deer heads (Odocoileus virginianus) collected in New Hampshire. Prevalence of infection was higher in fawns and male deer, but older female deer (5.0 + years) had a higher intensity of infection (3.1) than any other age or sex class. Male deer in forest cover type 2 (northern hardwoods-hemlock-white pine) had a significantly greater prevalence of infection than the females in the same habitat (P less than .05). Adult females had a higher prevalence of infection (67.0%) than female fawns (20%) in forest cover type 1 (spruce-fir-northern hardwoods). In the craniums examined, P. tenuis was found most frequently in the tentorium cerebelli (23.6%) while the falx cerebri, the most prevalent site of infection in fawns, was a significantly less frequent site of infection in older deer (P less than .02). Male deer of age class 3.5 years had a significantly higher rate of infection in the dura mater-olfactory lobe than any other age or sex group (P less than .02). The cavernous sinus was the most frequent site of parasitism in male fawns (25.0%) and was the second most common location in all deer (13.4%).