The snowdrop, wellspring of galanthamine : A brief descriptive and scientific history.

A history of the common snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis, is set out in folkloric fashion. Its religious connection is evident as well as the inspiration it arouses in artists and in ordinary persons. It is intended to shed light on the initial works relating to the snowdrop's alkaloid, galanthamine, performed by Soviet and Bulgarian scientists, which lie buried away and generally remain unknown. A brief history and nature of alkaloids continues with the emphasis placed on galanthamine. Heretofore hidden uses of snowdrops in traditional (folk) medicine are unveiled. An anticholinesterase with central and peripheral activity, feasible clinical indications with galanthamine are described. Certain disorders for which galanthamine has been deemed beneficial are presented for their historical value. Ongoing research regarding drugs and chemicals developed from the snowdrop and galanthamine is mentioned.

Daniel Bovet, Nobelist: muscle relaxants in anaesthesia : The role played by two neglected protagonists.

In 1957, Professor Daniel Bovet received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his studies on various compounds including the muscle relaxants gallamine and succinylcholine that became very useful in anaesthesia. Textbooks credit Professor Bovet for the discovery of these drugs. However, although he indeed did discover their pharmacological character, the actual syntheses were made by Ernest Fourneau and Reid Hunt, respectively; sadly, these two scientists have largely been ignored. In this paper, a brief biography of Bovet is presented along with some of his more notable accomplishments. Particular emphasis has been placed on gallamine and succinylcholine along with their history. In an attempt to undo the "injustice" dealt to both Fourneau and Hunt, brief accounts of their history, story and character are provided.

The extent of inaccurate aneroid sphygmomanometers in a hospital setting.

All 832 hospital hand-held aneroid sphygmomanometers without exception were examined for their accuracy within a +/- 3 mmHg margin by comparing them to a certified mercury device. Of these, 59.9% were inaccurate, with the majority giving lower readings than noted on the mercury scale. The findings are unsatisfactory and correspond to earlier reports whose study designs and interpretations of permissible limits varied widely. The instruments daily wear and tear is compounded by damage incurred by dropping and/or jolting, which could render the device inaccurate. Although it is generally recommended that aneroid manometers be inspected every six months, this seems not to be adequate.