תוצאת חיפוש

Drinking and Driving

A. Peleg, P. Shvartzman, R. Peleg

Dept. of Family Medicine, and Dept. of Epidemiology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheba

A worrisome connection between driving and drinking was found in 166 people randomly surveyed in public places in Beer Sheba. 80% of the study population stated that they drink alcoholic beverages. Of these, 45% reported drinking at least once a week, and 21% drank 3 glasses/cans at each drinking bout. We noted a trend among those who drank frequently to drink greater amounts. Of the sample, 110 interviewees stated that they had a driver's license and that they drank alcoholic drinks. 39% reported driving after a number of alcoholic drinks, and 23% of them did so invariably or frequently. 5% drank while driving. The drinkers exhibited a high-risk behavioral pattern, remaining in the car with friends (53%) or relatives (16%) also under the influence of alcohol. Those who are aware of the influence of alcohol on their driving skills and the danger of being involved in car accidents, moderate their consumption of alcohol. The results of the study confirm our hypothesis that there is an upswing in the phenomenon of high-risk driving connected with drinking alcoholic beverages.

On the Value of the Placebo: Reflections on Homeopathy

Pesach Lichtenberg

Dept. of Psychiatry, Herzog Hospital, Jerusalem

A case is presented in which homeopathic "treatment" helped, despite the fact that the patient did not take the medication. The author surveys research which has been conducted on homeopathy and concludes that its benefits derive from non-specific influences of the healer upon the patient, similar to a placebo effect. The importance of this influence is stressed, and its wider application in conventional medicine is urged.

An In-Hospital Pain Service: Present Activity and Future Trends

Y. Shir, V. Shavelzon, G. Rosen, S. Cotev

Anesthesia Dept. and Intensive Care Unit, Hadassah Hospital, Jerusalem

Although significant progress has been made in the past 2 decades in our understanding of pain pathophysiology and in the development of new analgesic drugs and techniques, many patients still experience considerable pain during hospitalization. Unrelieved pain is common not only among patients undergoing surgery, but also in those with a variety of other medical problems. These findings led to the development of our in-hospital acute pain service. This in-hospital pain service has been active since the late eighties, treating both postoperative pain and non-surgical pain in hospitalized patients. During 1995, 2140 patients were treated totaling 8717 treatment days in 18 different medical units and departments. Overall success was more than 75%. We review our experience in treating in-patients who suffer from pain and discuss future trends and need for such a specialized service.