Five years experience with the copper T 200 in Shanghai — 856 cases —

The Copper T 200 in Shanghai has been found to be a very efficient method of contraception in parous women. 856 insertions were done during the period starting December 27, 1973 to September 30, 1974. A total of 33,566 woman-months was included in the five-year study period. Life-table analysis of data showed the cumulative pregnancy rate to be 4.84, expulsion rate 5.74 and medical removal rate for bleeding or pain to be 22.51 per 100 women. According to the time of insertions, 856 users were divided into three groups; post-abortal 487, post-menstrual 264 and nursing period 105. Comparison of results revealed that the cumulative pregnancy rate of the post-abortal group, 2.67 per 100 women, was lower than those of both the post-menstrual group, 6.44 per 100 women, and the nursing period group, 10.48 per 100 women (P < 0.05). The Copper T 200 is effective at the end of five years of insertion, and post-abortal insertion gives better protection without increased risk of complications. We propose that the Copper T 200 may be used for five years or even longer.     

Byssinosis — An historical perspective

Based on the history of the growing awareness and recognition of ailments associated with the manufacture of cotton, it is concluded that recognition of byssinosis in the United States came late. In the American south byssinosis existed in an industry and within a social framework that helped to retard the acceptance of byssinosis as an undesirable but controllable disease. As late as the 1960s, United States medical opinion declared the disease nonexistent in American textile mills. In 1970, the scientific community showed that byssinosis existed in the United States. Mobilization of public opinion, changes in social attitudes, new scientific evidence, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act led to the setting of a standard to control and eradicate byssinosis. Controversy and debate over policy have brought the impact of scientific, sociopolitical, and economic inputs into health policy decisions, the altering perceptions of hazard, and the continually changing definition of risk into focus.