Epidemiological survey of trichinellosis in wild boar (Sus scrofa) and fox (Vulpes vulpes) in a French insular region, Corsica.

The Mediterranean island of Corsica was considered Trichinella-free until 2004, when T. britovi larvae were discovered in domestic pigs at meat inspection. One red fox was also found infected the same year and in the same area than the infected pigs. This last finding highlighted the presence of trichinellosis in Corsican wildlife. A Trichinella survey was thus performed in wild boar (Sus scrofa) and fox (Vulpes vulpes), the two large wild species present on the island, to determine prevalence of muscle larvae and antibodies. Diaphragm muscles of 1881 wild boars and 74 forelegs of foxes were tested by artificial digestion. No Trichinella larva was identified. The highly sensitive ELISA was used to test muscle fluid samples of 1492 wild boars. The apparent serological prevalence of Trichinella infections in wild boar was 2.01% (95% CI: 1.36-2.86). The present results suggest that wildlife is currently exposed to Trichinella in Corsica. In this context, adequate cooking and veterinary controls of meat offer the only complete sanitary warranties to consumers.

[Mother-child hospitalization]. / Hospitalisation mère-enfant.

The authors think, that psychological perturbations in women during the period immediately preceding and following childbirth brings about deepseated personality changes that will determine the future relationship between the mother and her child and all subsequent children. Hospitalization of the mother and child together is resorted to in three types of case: for the classic post-partum psychosis, for psychotic mothers showing serious personality troubles, and for early deviations in the mother-child relationship. For most children the alternative is being taken into care, or being placed in the hands of a series of mother-substitutes. Joint hospitalization allows a relationship to be established in a satisfactory environment, allows the mother-child relationship to be maintained, or a means of separation arranged if it should prove necessary. This practice opens new horizons in research into the psychology of mothers and the child's development in the earliest time of life. It should be possible to organize hospitalization of this type within the structure of the general hospital, and include it in the long-term treatment both of the mother and the child.

What do family physicians see in practice?

Health care problems dealt with in their practices were recorded by seven family physicians over a period of 1 year (two others recorded for 3 months), each diagnosis being coded according to the Canuck Disease Classification Index. Problems were classified into four types: physical, psychosocial, diseases of choice (or lifestyle) and diseases of social impact. More than 85% of the 23 108 problems recorded were physical in origin and had physical manifestations. More time was spent on routine checkups and treatment of respiratory disease than on any other activity. Venereal disease and alcoholism were infrequent problems. The family physician is in a favourable position to act as health educator and counsellor and must be throughly trained in the physical aspects of disease.

[The psychiatrist and the functioning of the penitentiary system]. / Le psychiatre et le fonctionnement du système pénitentiaire

The psychiatrist and the functioning of the penitentiary system. A group of psychiatrists working at different points of the penal and psychiatric circuits have met to discuss about the working conditions of the psychiatrists inside the penitentiary institution. Rapidely it appeared to them that their discussions should extend to the penal system considered in its entirity. Concrete propositions were addressed to the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Health. Reforms are possible at every step of the penal circuit. Some improvements only need the application of laws and reglementations which already exist: others require changes in the laws. For the reforms to become fully effective, the spirit in which the penal sanction is elaborated and applied should change in the prisions, in the judicary institution and in the public opinion.