Volume 14

In progress (Jan 2024 – Dec 2025)

This issue is in progress but contains articles that are final and fully citable.
Guide for Authors
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Latest Articles

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17/03/2024

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Can cultural influences cause disease and illness

Mike Townend MB, ChB (Hons), Dip Trav Med, FFTM RCPS (Glasg). Hon Clinical Senior Lecturer, University of Glasgow, Hon Fellow BGTHA

Abstract

Traditional medical teaching has long focused on the biomedical causation of disease, and in more recent times the biopsychosocial model has become recognised. This article addresses the contribution of cultural factors, not only in the presentation of disease, but also in its causation. Attention is drawn to the importance of addressing a patient’s cultural background in cross-cultural consultations.

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9/03/2024

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Bugs, Bites and Nasties
I.B McIntosh BA(Hons), MB ChB, FFTM RCPS (GLAS)

Abstract

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This paper describes an example of how clinical mentoring may be offered remotely

7/02/2024

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The Virtual Doctors Using Telemedicine to Improve Health Inequalities
Daniel Grace MBBS, BSc (Hons), Dip EWM, DTMH, MRCGP, MFTM RCPS(Glasg)

Abstract

Awaiting

Case Study

05/02/2024

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Toxicological encounters in Papua New Guinea.
John Richens, FRCPE
AbstractA selection of toxicological incidents encountered by the author in Papua New Guinea during the 1980s is presented.  Toxins related to lifestyle include Clostridium perfringens Type B toxin, the cause of pigbel (a necrotizing enteritis of children),  an unidentified toxin in spoiled sago causing acute intravascular haemolysis and accidental carbon monoxide poisoning arising in a vehicle with leaking exhaust.  Two contrasting causes of paralysis are discussed: hypokalaemic periodic paralysis, induced by carbohydrate overload, and neurotoxic envenomation caused by the Papuan death adder. Self inflicted poisonings include suicide attempts with paraquat and battery acid and a mass poisoning incident caused by consumption of a methanol-isopropanol mixture at a party.  Also discussed are a drug-induced oculogyric crisis in a patient developing hepatitis A and a mysterious dilated pupil contracted by the author, possibly from a trumpet flower.

Case Study

20/01/2024

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Tales of schistosomiasis including a close encounter with Schistosoma haematobium and a mistaken diagnosis of schistosomiasis from a liver biopsy.

John Richens, FRCPE

Abstract

This article reports the rapid diagnosis by microscopy of infection with Schistoma haematobium in a recently returned Peace Corps volunteer presenting to a UK sexual clinic with lumpy semen after swimming in Lake Malawi. The article goes on to describe a morphological misdiagnosis of schistosomiasis by a pathologist who examined a biopsy specimen taken in a non-endemic area and mistook ascaris eggs for schistosome ova. The article is accompanied by snippets of medical history including the observation of live larvae by Theodor Bilharz in the 1850s, the heroic self-experimentation of Claude Barlow and ingenious Japanese experiments to work out the mode of transmission of schistosomiasis in cattle.

Review

16/01/2024

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Air pollution – a problem for travellers?

Mike Townend MB, ChB (Hons), Dip Trav Med, FFTM RCPS(Glasg), Hon Fellow BGTHA, Hon Clinical Senior Lecturer, University of Glasgow

Abstract

Outdoor air pollution is a major environmental health problem affecting everyone in low, middle and high income countries. Some of the most important air pollutants are particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds. This paper examines the origins of these pollutants and their effects on human health, dealing in particular with particulate matter of 2.5 microns in size (PM2.5). The geographical distribution of air pollution and its relevance to the health of travellers are discussed.