This careful study confirms that there is no certain, quick way of diagnosing phlebothrombosis and also confirms that clinical criteria are as likely to be wrong as right. Sandler D. A., Martin J. F., Duncan J. S., Blake G. M., Ward P., Ramsay L. E., Lamont A. C., Ross B., Sherriff S. and Walton L. (1984) Diagnosis of deep-vein thrombosis: comparison of clinical evaluation, ultrasound, plethysmography and venoscan with X-ray venogram. Lancet II. 716.
ORGANIZATION GPs attending
MISCELLANEOUS
AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION
emergency
calls
Bleeding
under tourniquet
Hardened arteries may not be occluded by a tourniquet whereas the veins are; severe congestion results. Bunker T. D. and Ratliff A. H. C. (1984) Uncontrollable bleeding under tourniquet. Br. Med. J. 288, 1905. Hip dislocation
Two IO-year-olds’ hips were dislocated when other players landed on their backs while they were on their hands and knees. Both recovered fully after replacement of the hip. Rees D. and Thompson S. K. (1984) Traumatic dislocation of the hip in mini-rugby. Br. Med. J. 289, 19.
In 2 years the general practitioners of a small north Lake District village attended 24 emergency calls referred to them from the ambulance service. Sixteen victims were of road accidents. In 80 per cent of cases in which the general practitioner and ambulance were called at the same time, the general practitioner arrived first; in two they cleared breathing in unconsciousness using Guedel but not endotracheal tubes; two were trapped and required analgesia; four had intravenous infusions. The presence of a doctor sometimes enabled the ambulance to be released for another purpose earlier than would have otherwise been the case. One patient was dead when help arrived; two died later, one from a stroke and one from a head injury and fractured spine. Cox J. and Chapman T. G. (1984) General practitioner attendance at emergencies notified to ambulance control. Br.
These two papers provide a comprehensive nature, diagnosis and treatment of injuries plexus and their complications. Wynn Parry C. B. (1984) Brachial plexus Hosp. Med. 32, 130. Buch Rolf (1984) Traction lesions of the
Med. J. 289, 165.
Br. J. Hosp. Med. 32, 140.
Eye injuries in hockey
Three hockey players were blinded by being struck in the eye. The change in the rules that allowed sticks to be raised above shoulder height should be reversed. Elliott A. J. and Jones D. (1984) Major ocular trauma: a disturbing trend in hockey field injuries. Br. Med. J. 289, 21. Brachial