A survey of forensic psychologists’ work with sex offenders in England and Wales

This paper describes the results of a survey of the extent and variety of work with sex offenders by psychologists working in different forensic settings in England and Wales. A postal questionnaire was sent out to all 199 psychologists in the special hospitals, regional forensic psychiatry services, prisons and youth treatment service requesting details about their work with sex offenders during the year June 1991 to July 1992. The results are described under the headings of assessment and treatment; supervision, consultation, teaching and training; research and evaluation. The discussion highlights some of the patterns and trends of the work of forensic psychologists with sex offenders, together with the range of psychological interventions. There are also patterns within services. Results of the survey highlight the links psychologists have with other disciplines in working with sex offenders and raise questions about the most appropriate model of psychology practice, given the limited resources.     

Practices and Policies in the Initiation of Breastfeeding

Despite increasing knowledge about factors affecting the initiation of breastfeeding, many mothers still encounter problems and discontinue breastfeeding earlier than desired. Many hospitals still have not implemented the practices that are known to be helpful in the establishment of breastfeeding. As a result, a study was conducted to examine the policies and practices affecting breastfeeding in hospitals in Alberta, Canada. A questionnaire-based survey of all Alberta hospitals (including directors of nursing and staff nurses) found that many practices were still relatively inflexible; did not always reflect accurate, research-based information; and were not geared to the needs of mothers and infants. The implications of these findings are discussed.     

EFFECTS OF A NEW NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKING AGENT (ORG 9426) IN ANAESTHETIZED CATS AND PIGS AND IN ISOLATED NERVE-MUSCLE PREPARATIONS

The effects of Org 9426 (the 2-morpholino, 3-hydroxy, 16N-allylpyrrolidino analogue of vecuronium) were studied in anaesthetizedcats and pigs and in isolated nerve—muscle preparationsusing tension and intracellular recording techniques. In isolatedpreparations, the effects of Org 9426 were antagonized by neostigmine.No contracture of the chick muscle preparation occurred. Org9426 reduced the amplitude of endplate currents (EPC) in ratand snake muscle, but had no major effects on EPC decay characteristics,indicating a lack of endplate channel blocking action. In anaesthetizedanimals, no fasciculations were observed and the neuromuscularblock was associated with tetanic and train-of-four fade andwas antagonized by neostigmine. In anaesthetized cats and pigs,Org 9426 was approximately 20% as potent as vecuronium, itsonset of action was twice as rapid as that of vecuronium inthe cat and its duration of action was similar to that of vecuroniumin both cats and pigs. It blocked the bradycardia produced byvagal stimulation only in doses greater than those necessaryto produce neuromuscular block (ratios 7.2 in the cat and 4.4in the pig—10—14% of the corresponding ratios forvecuronium). Ganglion block was seen only at doses several timesthose producing vagal block. In general the effects of Org 9426on the cardiovascular system were slight, a small depressoreffect occurring at high doses in the cat. The 17-hydroxy analogue,the potential metabolite of Org 9426, was approximately 20 timesless potent than Org 9426 and is thus unlikely to contributeto the neuromuscular block produced by the parent compound.     

Influence of phenobarbitone pretreatment on disposition of amidopyrine and its metabolites in rat

Plasma concentration-time profiles for amidopyrine and its primary desmethyl metabolite have been determined in control rats and in rats pretreated with phenobarbitone. The kinetics of both compounds indicate enhanced clearance following pretreatment. Metabolite excretion in urine, bile and breath support the plasma data. It would appear that phenobarbitone pretreatment results in quantitative but not qualitative changes in the metabolism of amidopyrine in rat.     

Polycythemia Vera with Ph1 Chromosomes in Two Brothers

Two brothers with polycythemia rubra vera have been studied: one beforetreatment and one after many years of treatment. Direct harvests of marrowaspirates from both patients exhibited the presence of the Ph¹ chromosome.Moderately increased LAP levels were present in both. Available data do notindicate whether the disease and the chromosomal aberrations in these twobrothers are familial or fortuitous.

Submitted on October 19, 1966 Accepted on April 24, 1967