DOUBLE-BLIND RANDOMIZED MULTICENTRE TRIAL OF ACAMPROSATE IN MAINTAINING ABSTINENCE FROM ALCOHOL

A prospective placebo-controlled, randomized double-blind studyof Acamprosate at two dose levels in alcohol-dependent patientsfollowed up for 12 months was performed. After detoxification,each of the 538 patients included was randomly assigned to oneof three groups: 177 patients received placebo, 188 receivedAcamprosate at 1.3 g/day (low dose group) and 173 received 2.0g/day(high dose group) for 12 months. This was followed by a singleblind 6 month period on placebo. The patients' mean age was43.2 ± 8.6 years. Their mean daily alcohol intake washigh (nearly 200g/day) and of long duration (9.5 ± 7.1years). Abstinence figures followed the order high dose>lowdose>placebo. The difference was significant at 6 months(P     

CONCEPT OF ADEQUATE VENTILATION USING THE APNOEIC THRESHOLD DURING CURARE AND NITROUS OXIDE ANAESTHESIA

This paper describes the use of an absolute filter to removepathogenic organisms from the inspired air during intermittentpositive pressure respiration. The filter used removes all particlesdown to a diameter of 0.5 microns with an efficiency of 99.99per cent, thus ensuring complete sterility from airborne bacteria. ^*This paper was presented in part at the Second World Congressof Anaesthesiologists, Toronto, Canada: September 4–10,1960.