SMALLPOX

January/February 2003     ISSN-1059-6518     Volume 16 Number 1

Tales of the Tapeworm

By Dr. E.C. Oli

SMALLPOX

Variola

In this edition of “Tales of the Tapeworm” it would seem to be most appropriate  to discuss smallpox virus, since it has been getting a great deal of press recently.

Smallpox, also known as Variola, is of the genus orthopoxvirus. This virus can cause an acute exanthematous viral infection.  (An exanthem is a contagious infection that has a rash as a primary symptom.) The last know case was in Merka, Somalia in October 1977. available domain name generator Smallpox was declared eradicated by the World Health Organization (WHO) in May 1980.

The World Health Organization coordinated a worldwide program to eradicate smallpox from 1967–1980.  This was accomplished by an intensive vaccination program to immunize everyone for the smallpox virus. Prior to 1967 smallpox was very common; it is estimated that there were 10–15 million cases of smallpox in 1967 alone.

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Field Weather Forecasting

Why weather? Why would we dedicate an issue of the Wilderness Medicine Newsletter to weather? Simply because of the dramatic impact weather can have on our and our patient’s health and survival. Weather forecasting is not a science but an art. There are an infinite number of variables that can make up a forecast. There are, however, some basic principles that make it possible to create short-range forecasts. Understanding these basic principles make it possible to spot dangerous weather, often with enough warning to seek safety.

January/February 2003    ISSN-1059-6518   Volume 16 Number 1

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PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS

November/December 2002     ISSN-1059-6518    Volume 15, Number 6

Psychotropic Medications

Frank Hubbell, DO

 

This segment of the “Medicine Chest” will follow up on the feature article by reviewing the psychotropic medications and their potential impact on outdoor and athletic activities. This is a very large and complex area of psychopharmacology.  There are however, several principles that if understood and followed should minimize the risks associated with the following family of therapeutic drugs and outdoor experiential education.

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Behavior Meds in the Backcountry

November/December 2002   ISSN-1059-6518   Volume 15, Number 6

Behavior Meds in the Backcountry

The Potential Link Between Physiological Stressors and Behavioral Issues

By Preston B. Cline

Preface

This article is aimed at those wilderness medicine providers who primarily use their skills in the context of leading groups into the backcountry. The intent of the article is NOT to demonstrate causality between any two factors. Instead, it is an attempt to highlight the lack of research concerning the relationship between physiological stressors and behavioral incidents while out on course. In preparing for this article it has become clearly apparent that the issue of taking medicated clients with behavior issues into the backcountry is significantly more complicated then most programs seem to realize.

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