Calcific tricuspid incompetence in childhood

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Use of FPA clinics in a London borough

A study of first attendances at FPA clinics in the defined population of a London Borough showed that the population served was not dissimilar by social class from an appropriate sample of the population of the Borough. Almost two-thirds of the women were prescribed the contraceptive pill at first visit, and the other third were almost equally divided between the diaphragm and the intra-uterine device as a contraceptive method. Use of the pill was inversely proportional to age, whereas the use of the cap and IUD increased with age at first attendance. Women prescribed the pill or IUD tended to continue with the method, whereas 11% of women who initially used the diaphragm changed over to the pill in approximately a 1-year follow-up period. A large proportion of women, 21%, attended the clinics only once, but this was shown to be due, for the most part, to factors which were outside the control of the clinic.

Functioning beta cell tumors (insulinomas) of the pancreas

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Atrioventricular conduction in acute rheumatic fever

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Epidemiology of the Hong Kong-68 variant of influenza A2 in Britain

Two influenza epidemics in Britain in 1968-9 and 1969-70, were due to the Hong Kong/68 variant of influenza A2 virus. The first epidemic was prolonged with low morbidity and mortality rates; the second was sharp with high rates. The difference between total morbidity and mortality in the two epidemics, however, was less than it appeared to be-the estimated excess morbidity and mortality due to all causes in 1969-70 was only about 50% greater than in 1968-9.Antibody studies showed that about one-quarter of two groups of adults investigated were infected in the first epidemic and about one-third in the second. After the two epidemics about one-third still had no antibody to the A2/Hong Kong/68 virus.

Long-term pacing with an inductive coupling system

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Sinus bradycardia treated by long-term atrial pacing

A technique for long-term atrial pacing is described. It uses the system whereby power from an external pulse-generator (including battery) is transferred through the intact skin by inductive-coupling. Once installed, there is no requirement for further surgery to effect battery changes, and the patient can control his heart rate over a wide range to suit his needs. It is suggested that pacing by such means may offer a preferable alternative to drug therapy in the treatment of low cardiac output due to pathological sinus bradycardia. Two patients successfully treated in this way are reported.