Ear/hearing/speech screening among first graders in Grenada

Describes a study conducted among school children to identify hearing disorders. 174 children were examined and concludes from the results of this sample survey that an estimated 50 - 60 children among the 2578 first graders in 1990 could be experiencing some sort of hearing loss

Some medical emergencies associated with swimming and diving

The risks, diagnosis and emergency management of drowning, ear injuries, burst lung and decompression sickness which may occur in swimming and diving are discussed. Emphasis is put on the importance of early diagnosis and of reaching recompression facilities as early as possible when appropriate (AU)

Influence of malnutrition on the body temperature of children

The mean auricular temperature of 10 malnourished Jamaican infants was 0.84§C lower on admission to hospital than it was after recovery. Body temperature was influenced by ambient temperature in the malnourished state. During the rapid growth that accompanies recovery the mean auricular temperature was raised. Five malnourished children with hypothermia were given a standard high-calorie feed, and this caused the body temperature to return to normal levels within two hours in every case. These results suggested that reduced temperature in malnourished children may be an adaptation to conserve calories, and that severe hypothermia in malnutrition results from an acute shortage of energy reserves. Frequent feeding of malnourished chhildren is most important in their management. (Summary)

A survey of the distribution of dermal leishmaniasis in British Honduras

A survey of 14 villages in British Honduras was made to estimate the incidence of dermal leishmaniasis; diagnosis of past or present infection with L.mexicana was made by using the Montengro skin test. Infection was found throughout the whole country, highest in the central areas, and lowest in the most southern Indian villages and in the coastal villages. No infection was found among the Blue Creek Mennonites, although mestizos who had worked there claimed to have been infected. The possible role of clothes and insect-free dwellings is discussed. A male-female ratio of 5.3:1 of infection was found; probably because women spend less time in the bush. The highest prevalence was in the 36-50-year age group. The low antigenicity of L. mexicana is suggested as the reason for the absence of an immune response in the children. The ear is confirmed as the commonest site of infection; the elbow is second. Possible reasons are discussed. The presence of subclinical infection is suggested because of the large number of people with positive skin tests, who denied ever having had bay sore. The presence of "doubtful" reactions to the skin test may also be significant in this context. (AU)