Vitiligo and morphoea

Four patients with co-existing vitiligo and morphoea are reported. The significance of this association is discussed.     

Red Cell Superoxide Dismutase Activity in the Newborn

Red cell superoxide dismutase activity was determined on cord blood samples. The normal range of activity in neonates, measured per gram of haemoglobin, was lower than that obtained for adults, with the mean value for neonates being approximately two-thirds of the adult level. When activity was measured on a per cell basis it was still lower than the adult level. Adult levels are reached at approximately three months postnatal age. No correlation was found between low superoxide dismutase activity and prematurity, low birthweight. Apgar, respiratory distress syndrome, or sex.     

Questionnaire Assessment of Change in an Occupational Environment

Lighting and heating conditions at work may cause subjectiveill health and lead to requests for improvement of these aspectsof the working environment. Self-administration of a semi-structuredquestionnaire can provide a quick and useful method to evaluatealterations which are subsequently made. Requests for reprints should be addressed to: Dr R. Philipp, Department of Community Health, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2PR.     

EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON INTRAVENOUS REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA USING RADIOACTIVE LIGNOCAINE

Experiments using ¹⁴C-labelled lignocaine administered by theintravenous regional anaesthetic technique were carried outin dogs in order to determine the site and mode of action oflignocaine used in this way. Preliminary results have showna statistically significant selective pick-up by nerve tissuealthough the actual site of action has not yet been determined.Blood lignocaine levels in the venous outflow of the limb afterremoval of the tourniquet were also determined. The peak levelsrecorded were beneath the concentrations considered to be dangerousin clinical practice.     

Alcoholism and Employment

The magnitude of the alcoholism problem amongst the Britishworkforce has not yet been recognised. The cost to governmentand employers is such that economic self-interest demands thatthe occupational health services devote more attention to detectingand aiding alcoholic employees. Special occupational hazardsand alcoholism-inducing factors are well known, but some companiescontinue to condone practices which encourage heavy drinkingat work. One of the barriers to the development of preventativeand rehabilitation schemes may be that those responsible forthe initiation of such schemes—company directors and doctors—areamongst those with the greatest risk of alcoholism. Various estimates have suggested that there are between 280,000and 350,000 alcoholics in England and Wales.1 2 As some 13.5%of alcoholics are either unemployable or retired, 3 it is reasonableto assume that in the United Kingdom as a whole there must beat least 260,000 alcoholics amongst the male workforce of 16.1million and 40,000 alcoholics in the female workforce of 9.1million. As yet, employers have little appreciation of the magnitudeof the problem. Hawker and her colleagues4 asked 279 Londoncompanies how many alcoholics they believed they employed. Theestimate these companies arrived at was 3.5 per 1,000 malesand 0.09 per 1,00C females, suggesting that at least four-fifthsof alcoholics go undetected at their workplace.