L'évaluation de l'incapacité dermatologique en santé au travail.

This paper presents a simple method for evaluating the extent of impairment in occupational dermatosis based on the portion (P) of the anatomic area involved (A) and the coefficient of physiologic disturbance (C). A percentage value is assigned to each anatomic area on the basis of its functional importance. The coefficient of physiologic disturbance is the average of four factors (stiffness, dehydration, thickening, and pruritus or pain). The formula (P X A). C gives the final percentage of impairment.     

Photosensibilité des graines depinus banksiana Lamb.

Germination ofPinus banksiana seeds is controlled by the photoreversible phytochrome reaction. The seeds, even unimbibed, are sensitive to red light. At 660 nm, the energy required to promote germination to the same order of magnitude is much higher for unimbibed seeds than for the imbibed ones. In both cases it is possible to reverse the effect of a single red light irradiation by applying far red light (730 nm).     

Ecole d'été de l'A.C.E.M.I.—Ha?ti

Six Canadian medical students record their experience at a summer school of tropical medicine in Haiti, sponsored by the Canadian Association of Medical Students and Internes. The social, economic and medical background is described, including “Voodoo” practices, language and Haitian art. Attention is directed to the occurrence of umbilical tetanus, diarrhea and malnutrition. From even a brief stay in a country such as Haiti one comes to appreciate that a public health program in an underdeveloped nation is not strictly a medical undertaking but must be seen in its social and economic contexts.     

Outbreak of Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with water pollution.

Sixteen cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome occurred in the third week of a diarrhoea epidemic caused by water pollution in EL-Sult, Jordan. Of 30 000 people exposed to polluted water, 5000 developed diarrhoea, 74 typhoid, and 30 infectious hepatitis. Thirteen of the 16 patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome had been mildly affected by diarrhoea 8-24 days before the onset of peripheral neuropathy. Paralysis progressed rapidly, reaching a peak in one to five days, and recovery began three to seven days after the start of the most severe symptoms. All but four patients had recovered completely after one year. Rapid progress of paralysis and a delayed interval between maximum weakness and start of recovery were both associated with poor prognosis.     

Fertilité et cancer du testicule. Impact des traitements

Objectives

To study the fertility of patients with testicular cancer.

Population and Method

The fertility of a consecutive series of 489 men treated for germ cell tumour of the testis in the Midi-Pyrénées region, between 1978 and 1998, was investigated by means of a questionnaire sent by mail to the patients. A participation rate of 95% was obtained.

Results

Information concerning fertility was obtained for 446 men. 90.1% of patients who had tried to have children prior to their testicular cancer had succeeded, but only 61.8% of men were able to have a child after treatment of their cancer. Radiotherapy and surgery of residual masses appear to be more harmful to fertility than BOE chemotherapy.

Conclusion

The population of men treated for testicular cancer present a high risk of infertility, as the fertility of these men decreases by about 30% after treatment.