1364
BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL
11 NOVEMBER 1978
CORRES PONDENCE? Car seat belt legislation-third time lucky? J G Avery, MD ........................ Zuckerman overtaken J K FawCett, FIMLS; R Hall, FIMLS; M V Driver, MRCPSYCH ....... ............. Maternal alcohol consumption and birth weight P V Veghelyi, MD, and others ..... ....... Minimum information needed by prescribers P W Golightly, MPS, and D C Banks, MD.. Death certificates and epidemiological research G W Griffith, MD; Major K N A Millar, MB ..........
........................
1364 1364
1365
1366
1366
Deaths under 50 Sheila A Adam, MRCP, and R Dingnvall, PHD ........
........................
1367
Cimetidine and oral anticoagulants A C Flind, MA, BM, BCH . .......... 1367 Comparison of the tine and Mantoux tuberculin tests C K Connolly, FRCP, and others; K Sauer, MD, and 0 Brandli, MD . .......... Blood Products Laboratory R S ILane, MD ........................ Perspectives in spina bifida R J Brcreton, FRCSj J N Thompson, MB. Poliomyelitis in developing countries D C Morley, FRCP ....................
Menopausal therapy and endometrial pathology J W W Studd, MRCOG, and others ........ Paracetamol poisoning J B Spooner, MB, and J G Harvey, BSC .... Behcet's disease M Anne Chamberlain, MRCI' ..... ..... Burn hazard with cement N R Greening and J R Tonry .......... Thyroid disease and pregnancy R 'F Cooke, FRCPATH ...... ............ Clinical information on x-ray and pathologist requests L J H Arthur, MRCP .................. Beta-blockade in subarachnoid haemorrhage H L Elliott, MRCP, and others .......... Pertussis and the risk of non-accidental
1368
1368 1368
Syringe-transmitted hepatitis H Gordon, MFCM .................... 1368 Drug treatment in psychiatric patients in general practice G S Cliff, MRCGP ...................... 1369
1369
1369 1370
1370 1370
D S C Lee, MB, and others ............ 1371 Borderline substances R J Woodward, PHD, and R Baxter, .......
.....................
Immunisation of adults against diphtheria J D Abbott, FRCPATH, and others; R MitclhCll, MD, and A Barr, FIMLS ........ Birth impairments and financial incentives J A Davis, FRCP ........ .. ............ Health education in schools C A Thornton, MRCOG, and others ...... AID B Sandler, MD ........................ Soft tissue sarcomas .......... J N P DaviCs, FRCPATH ......
Cor r esponidenits are urged to write brieJly so that readers mizay be offered as wide a selectioni of letters as possible. So nmaniy are being received that the om77issiont oJ soniie is ilevitable. Letters mlust be signed petrsonially by all thleir authors. No letter will be acknzowledged unless a staniped addressed enzvelope or an inlternlational rep/v couponi is eniclosed.
1372
1373
1373 1373 1373
Swirsky, MB .......................... 1373 1370
injury
BPHARM
1367
1369
Activation of occult amoebiasis by corticosteroids A J Gijsbers, MB, and others ............ Homes for tuberculous homeless alcoholics S P Glascoc, MB ...................... Salicylate poisoning in dermatological therapy J B Aspinall, MB, and K M Goel, MD ...... The telephone in general practice Lorna D Naismith, MB ................ Current vital statistics P 0 1) Pharoah, MD .................... Side effects of colaspase G P Summerfield, MRCP, and D M
1371
1371 1372 1372 1372
1372
Antibiotics for cough and purulent sputum S Thomas, MD ........................ 1374 Acetyleholine in myasthenia gravis E R Frethewie, FRACP .................. 1374 BMA as a trade union J B W Rowc, MB ...................... 1374 Honorary registrar posts in the NHS T McFarlane, MRCOG .................. 1374 Clinical medical officers and school problems G V Lewis, MRCS ...................... 1374 Honorary retirement contracts S T H Jenkins, FRCP .................. 1375 Training of clinical medical officers W T Orton, MFCM .................... 1375 Points from Letters Taking medical histories through interpreters (B R H King); Preinjection skin swabbing (R Payne); An oral iron-chelating agent (S J Hopkins); An IUCD record ? (G Maizels); Industrial action in the NHS (G E Adan; Betty D Scott) ........ .......... 1375
legislation-then let us at least persuade them to pass laws on the suitable restraint of children in motor--cars. If people want to press the "rights of the individual" argument, then let them think seriously about the "rights of the child" as well-the right to be protected against the stupidity of their parents; the right at least to increase their chances of Car seat-belt legislation-third time lucky? surviving a serious accident not of their making. SIR,-The Government has just announced interests of the public health may I suggest a We have been so remiss as a nation on this that it proposes to introduce a Bill in the new few ways in which we as a profession might vital piece of legislation. Let us make sure year to make the wearing of car seat belts .significantly help towards its acceptance? this time that it gets the priority it deserves. compulsory. On two previous occasions in (1) By the direct lobbying of their own local recent years such a Bill has failed, largely MPs by all doctors who support the Bill. J G AVERY through lack of interest by MPs. This has (2) By the widespread publication of any South lWarwickshire Health D)istrict. been aided by a vociferous minority objection suitable data showing the value of seat belts.' Lcamington Spa, Warwicks to such a Bill on the grounds of infringement (3) By further public statements by authoritaHobbs, ( A, 7he ltfebxtiventess oJf Seat Belts in Relducing of personal liberty. Is there any prospect that tive medical bodies (for example, the BMA, Injuries te( Car Occupants. TRRL Laboratory Report No 811. Crowtbornc, 1Pcrks, Transport and Road on this occasion we might make it third time the Royal Colleges of Surgeons, the Faculty of Rcscarch Laboratory, 1978. lucky or is the Bill destined to flop yet again ? Community Medicine and the Medical The introduction of seat-belt legislation in Conmnission on Accident Prevention) that Australia came about in no small way because they positively recognise the life- and limb- Zuckerman overtaken of the persistent lobby of the surgeons. Can saving value of safety belts and strongly we not follow their splendid example and endorse the introduction of legislation for their SIR,-AS a registered trade union the British make our weight really felt by making every compulsory usage. (4) By all doctors and nurses Medical Association has a responsibility to effort to see that this most important piece of setting a public example by wearing seat belts promote-through its journal and other legislation is passed this time round ? at all times and ensuring that all passengers in means-the specific interests of its members. The overwhelming value of such a Bill in their cars do likewise. To that extent much of the content of your saving life and limb surely outweighs the If we cannot persuade the politicians to leading article (21 October, p 1108) was preunderstandable but somewhat overstated pass this simple life- and limb-saving piece of dictable. argument about interference with personal legislation-of much greater social conSome of the observations in the leader are liberty. If we accept that such a Bill is in the sequence incidentally than so much other readily acceptable to a professional body like
BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL
11 NOVEMBER 1978
CORRES PONDENCE? Car seat belt legislation-third time lucky? J G Avery, MD ........................ Zuckerman overtaken J K FawCett, FIMLS; R Hall, FIMLS; M V Driver, MRCPSYCH ....... ............. Maternal alcohol consumption and birth weight P V Veghelyi, MD, and others ..... ....... Minimum information needed by prescribers P W Golightly, MPS, and D C Banks, MD.. Death certificates and epidemiological research G W Griffith, MD; Major K N A Millar, MB ..........
........................
1364 1364
1365
1366
1366
Deaths under 50 Sheila A Adam, MRCP, and R Dingnvall, PHD ........
........................
1367
Cimetidine and oral anticoagulants A C Flind, MA, BM, BCH . .......... 1367 Comparison of the tine and Mantoux tuberculin tests C K Connolly, FRCP, and others; K Sauer, MD, and 0 Brandli, MD . .......... Blood Products Laboratory R S ILane, MD ........................ Perspectives in spina bifida R J Brcreton, FRCSj J N Thompson, MB. Poliomyelitis in developing countries D C Morley, FRCP ....................
Menopausal therapy and endometrial pathology J W W Studd, MRCOG, and others ........ Paracetamol poisoning J B Spooner, MB, and J G Harvey, BSC .... Behcet's disease M Anne Chamberlain, MRCI' ..... ..... Burn hazard with cement N R Greening and J R Tonry .......... Thyroid disease and pregnancy R 'F Cooke, FRCPATH ...... ............ Clinical information on x-ray and pathologist requests L J H Arthur, MRCP .................. Beta-blockade in subarachnoid haemorrhage H L Elliott, MRCP, and others .......... Pertussis and the risk of non-accidental
1368
1368 1368
Syringe-transmitted hepatitis H Gordon, MFCM .................... 1368 Drug treatment in psychiatric patients in general practice G S Cliff, MRCGP ...................... 1369
1369
1369 1370
1370 1370
D S C Lee, MB, and others ............ 1371 Borderline substances R J Woodward, PHD, and R Baxter, .......
.....................
Immunisation of adults against diphtheria J D Abbott, FRCPATH, and others; R MitclhCll, MD, and A Barr, FIMLS ........ Birth impairments and financial incentives J A Davis, FRCP ........ .. ............ Health education in schools C A Thornton, MRCOG, and others ...... AID B Sandler, MD ........................ Soft tissue sarcomas .......... J N P DaviCs, FRCPATH ......
Cor r esponidenits are urged to write brieJly so that readers mizay be offered as wide a selectioni of letters as possible. So nmaniy are being received that the om77issiont oJ soniie is ilevitable. Letters mlust be signed petrsonially by all thleir authors. No letter will be acknzowledged unless a staniped addressed enzvelope or an inlternlational rep/v couponi is eniclosed.
1372
1373
1373 1373 1373
Swirsky, MB .......................... 1373 1370
injury
BPHARM
1367
1369
Activation of occult amoebiasis by corticosteroids A J Gijsbers, MB, and others ............ Homes for tuberculous homeless alcoholics S P Glascoc, MB ...................... Salicylate poisoning in dermatological therapy J B Aspinall, MB, and K M Goel, MD ...... The telephone in general practice Lorna D Naismith, MB ................ Current vital statistics P 0 1) Pharoah, MD .................... Side effects of colaspase G P Summerfield, MRCP, and D M
1371
1371 1372 1372 1372
1372
Antibiotics for cough and purulent sputum S Thomas, MD ........................ 1374 Acetyleholine in myasthenia gravis E R Frethewie, FRACP .................. 1374 BMA as a trade union J B W Rowc, MB ...................... 1374 Honorary registrar posts in the NHS T McFarlane, MRCOG .................. 1374 Clinical medical officers and school problems G V Lewis, MRCS ...................... 1374 Honorary retirement contracts S T H Jenkins, FRCP .................. 1375 Training of clinical medical officers W T Orton, MFCM .................... 1375 Points from Letters Taking medical histories through interpreters (B R H King); Preinjection skin swabbing (R Payne); An oral iron-chelating agent (S J Hopkins); An IUCD record ? (G Maizels); Industrial action in the NHS (G E Adan; Betty D Scott) ........ .......... 1375
legislation-then let us at least persuade them to pass laws on the suitable restraint of children in motor--cars. If people want to press the "rights of the individual" argument, then let them think seriously about the "rights of the child" as well-the right to be protected against the stupidity of their parents; the right at least to increase their chances of Car seat-belt legislation-third time lucky? surviving a serious accident not of their making. SIR,-The Government has just announced interests of the public health may I suggest a We have been so remiss as a nation on this that it proposes to introduce a Bill in the new few ways in which we as a profession might vital piece of legislation. Let us make sure year to make the wearing of car seat belts .significantly help towards its acceptance? this time that it gets the priority it deserves. compulsory. On two previous occasions in (1) By the direct lobbying of their own local recent years such a Bill has failed, largely MPs by all doctors who support the Bill. J G AVERY through lack of interest by MPs. This has (2) By the widespread publication of any South lWarwickshire Health D)istrict. been aided by a vociferous minority objection suitable data showing the value of seat belts.' Lcamington Spa, Warwicks to such a Bill on the grounds of infringement (3) By further public statements by authoritaHobbs, ( A, 7he ltfebxtiventess oJf Seat Belts in Relducing of personal liberty. Is there any prospect that tive medical bodies (for example, the BMA, Injuries te( Car Occupants. TRRL Laboratory Report No 811. Crowtbornc, 1Pcrks, Transport and Road on this occasion we might make it third time the Royal Colleges of Surgeons, the Faculty of Rcscarch Laboratory, 1978. lucky or is the Bill destined to flop yet again ? Community Medicine and the Medical The introduction of seat-belt legislation in Conmnission on Accident Prevention) that Australia came about in no small way because they positively recognise the life- and limb- Zuckerman overtaken of the persistent lobby of the surgeons. Can saving value of safety belts and strongly we not follow their splendid example and endorse the introduction of legislation for their SIR,-AS a registered trade union the British make our weight really felt by making every compulsory usage. (4) By all doctors and nurses Medical Association has a responsibility to effort to see that this most important piece of setting a public example by wearing seat belts promote-through its journal and other legislation is passed this time round ? at all times and ensuring that all passengers in means-the specific interests of its members. The overwhelming value of such a Bill in their cars do likewise. To that extent much of the content of your saving life and limb surely outweighs the If we cannot persuade the politicians to leading article (21 October, p 1108) was preunderstandable but somewhat overstated pass this simple life- and limb-saving piece of dictable. argument about interference with personal legislation-of much greater social conSome of the observations in the leader are liberty. If we accept that such a Bill is in the sequence incidentally than so much other readily acceptable to a professional body like
