Teamwork, planning keys to success

To ensure a successful psychiatric unit in a general hospital, the hospital must determine needs, plan with all involved parties, and follow up with sensible control measures.

Electrophysiological responses in hydranencephaly

We recorded electrophysiological responses, both electroretinograms (ERGs) and visual evoked responses (VER), at 4 and 21 months of age in a child with hydranencephaly. As expected, the ERG was normal. Despite the apparent absence of most of the cerebral cortex, a VER was present at both visits. The child's visual performance definitely improved both subjectively and electrophysiologically. The VER contained multiple early components in contrast to previous reports, where only a slow, monophasic response was detected.

Haematological and blood chemistry "comparison values" for clinical pathology in poultry

Twelve blood chemistry values, six haematological values and bodyweight were estimated for six-week-old specific-pathogen-free brown leghorns. Observations were based on 208 birds sampled from 11 groups. Subsequently the same values were estimated for specific pathogen free brown leghorns and broiler hybrids of differing ages. These estimates have been designated "comparison values" and were intended for reference use in clinical pathology. Results were compared with 14 "comparison value" estimated obtained previously for six-week-old commercial broiler hybrids. Haematological values varied with age and type of bird. Differences were observed between bird types in serum protein, serum cholesterol, uric acid, calcium and potassium levels and in weight. The significance of these differences is discussed.

Effect of transportation on blood metabolites in broilers

1. Groups of 30 broilers from seven flocks were bled and weighed at the farm and a further sample of 10 broilers from each flock was transported from 8 to 16 km to the laboratory prior to bleeding and weighing. 2. One haematological and 11 biochemical analyses were made on each blood sample. 3. Although transportation did lead to significant differences in certain variables, the trends were consistent and sampling following transit is considered acceptable for clinical pathology studies.

The role of fungi and nematodes as factors associated with death of white clover (Trifolium repens) stolons over summer in south-eastern Queensland

A series of laboratory and field trials examined the role of both fungi and nematodes in causing stolon death of white clover (Trifolium repens) which is typically encountered over summer/early autumn in sub-tropical coastal Queensland. Pythium middletonii was consistently isolated from necrotic stolons and roots of Trifolium spp. collected at a range of sites, and was the only fungal species isolated that was pathogenic to white clover seedlings in glasshouse tests. Under controlled environment conditions P. middletonii also caused a root and stolon rot of mature plants similar to that observed in the field. Preliminary studies suggested that some naturalized white clover strains are more resistant as seedlings than commercial white clover cultivars. In 1974-75 and 1975-76 fungicides were applied at monthly intervals over summer to grazed pastures at two sites. Stolon death was significantly reduced by fungicide at one site in one year. The possible role of plant parasitic nematodes in the decline syndrome was investigated in 1975 at three sites: the decline in clover was significantly reduced by nematicide at each site.

The involvement of biotin in preventing the fatty liver and kidney syndrome in chicks

Three experiments were carried out to investigate the involvement of vitamins in the fatty liver and kidney syndrome. The compounds studied, singly and in combination, were thiamin, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, biotin, folic acid vitamin B12, ascorbic acid, choline and inositol and of these, only biotin prevented the syndrome. The minimum levels of supplemental dietary biotin required to prevent mortality varied from 0-05 to 0-15 mg/kg, depending on the diet. These levels were higher than the amounts required for maximum liveweight.

Ethylene imine poisoning. A case report

A case is described of accidental inhalation of ethylene imine vapour in a chemical worker. This resulted in glottic oedema which required tracheostomy. Artificial respiration was needed because of failure to maintain adequate arterial oxygen levels. The patient developed profuse salivation and sputum production. Endoscopy showed that the mucosal surfaces of the pharynx, trachea and major bronchi were destroyed. The patient was treated with steroids and antibiotics for pulmonary infection. Recovery was slow but he was eventually able to leave hospital. He was later readmitted with recurrent infection and developed acute airway obstruction from which he died. Post-mortem examination shoed extensive destruction of the mucosal lining with erosion and collapse of the cartilages. This was the cause of death. Previous reports of ethylene imine poisoning are reviewed. This appears to be the third fatal case.

Carboxyhemoglobin in nonsmokers: a mathematical model

A study was made of existing mathematical models for both carbon monoxide (CO) and carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) buildup. From these models a combined model was derived for calculating delta%COHb in nonsmokers in an enclosed space in which excess concentrations of CO may occur. For simplicity the model was restricted to those occasions where CO concentration was at equillibrium or came to equillibrium in a time-short compared with exposure time. The equation derived was for delta%COHb calculated from CO, ventilation, respiration, persons, smokers, height, weight, cigarettes, and exposure time. Comparisons with published data show excellent agreement of calculated and observed values.

Sulpur deficiency of dry land lucerne in the eastern Darling Downs of Queensland

Experiments to study the phosphorus, molybdenum and sulphur requirements of lucerne swards were conducted at six sites on the eastern Darling Downs, Queensland. The soils at all sites were derived from basalt. The swards did not respond to phosphorus at any of the sites and responded to molybdenum at only one. Sulphur deficiency was more severe in late winter-early spring than in summer. Lucerne response to added sulphur was not related to total soil sulphur and only partly related to available soil sulphur or water soluble soil sulphate. Five lucerne swards on black earths showed decreasing sulphur deficiency with increasing soil depth and increasing soil salinity. On one site annual medics were more severely affected by sulphur deficiency than was the deeper rooting lucerne.