Malnutrition and mortality during recent famines in Ethiopia: implications for food aid and rehabilitation.

The 1972-73 and 1984-85 famines varied significantly among different populations within famine areas at the regional, community and household levels. Political and social factors were crucial in this pattern. Evidence from both pastoral and farming areas indicates that the development of community-based resources may be less disruptive socially and economically and result in less morbidity and mortality than dependence on relief shelters. Areas needing further study are identified.

Effects of rehabilitation on the jaws and teeth of protein-deficient and calorie-deficient pigs.

The growth of the jaws and teeth was examined in pigs which had been fed protein-deficient and calorie-deficient diets for the first year of life and thereafter allowed unlimited food. After 2 years of rehabilitation, jaw size had almost reached that of well-fed controls, although in the mandible the labial alveolar process remained abnormally proclined and in both jaws the crowns of third permanent molars were smaller than in control animals. Calorie-deficient pigs did not recover as well as did protein-deficient animals. Pigs fed a calorie-deficient diet for the first 2 years of life before rehabilitation also made a good recovery and were only slightly smaller in most dimensions than those undernourished for 1 year and then rehabilitated. Despite the excellent recovery in jaw dimensions, some malposition of teeth persisted after rehabilitation, especially in animals which had been undernourished for 2 years.

The nature and reversibility of cerebral impairment in alcoholism; treatment implications.

Deficits on tests of learning and memory were related to duration of heavy drinking and malnutrition and they predicted attendance in therapy. Retesting 6 months later indicated improved performance in abstinent patients and more impaired performance in alcoholics who continued to drink as before treatment.