Articles
Sexual Intercourse
Sexual intercourse, which is also referred coitus or copulation, is the reproductive act in which the male reproductive organ enters the female reproductive tract. Upon completion of the reproductive act, sperm cells are passed from the male body into the female,...
The Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle is the regular cycle of vaginal blood loss (menstruation) that results from the breakdown of the uterine lining when the implantation of a fertilised ovum does not occur. Menstruation occurs on a monthly cycle throughout a woman's reproductive...
Puberty
Puberty is the process by which a child's body matures into an adult body and becomes capable of sexual reproduction. It is a complex process involving both physical growth and sexual and psychosocial maturation. Puberty usually begins between 8 and 14 years of age in...
Thomas Linacre and the Royal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians is a U.K. based, internationally recognised, professional body that is dedicated to the improvement of medical practice and patient care. It is also the oldest royal medical college in the world. In 2006 I became a member of the Royal...
Sympathomimetic Drugs
Sympathomimetic drugs are stimulant compounds that mimic the effects of endogenous agonists of the sympathetic nervous system. These drugs are used in a variety of situations, including cardiac arrest, haemorrhage, sepsis and myocardial insufficiency. Mechanism...
Hypothermia
Hypothermia exists when the core body temperature is below 35°C and is classified arbitrarily as mild (32-35°C), moderate (28-32°C), or severe (<28°C). The Swiss staging system, based on clinical signs, can be used by rescuers at the scene to describe victims: I –...
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is defined as a systemic inflammatory response with a core temperature that is greater than 40.6°C accompanied by a change in mental state and varying levels of organ dysfunction. There are two forms of heat stroke: Classic non-exertional heat stroke –...
The Story of the Tendon Hammer
The tendon hammer is one of the most historically resilient medical instruments still in use today. It is a simple yet invaluable device that can be used to diagnose a wide variety of nervous system and muscular disorders. Almost 130 years after the invention of the...
Nerve Agents
The nerve agents, sometimes also called nerve gases, are a group of particularly toxic chemical warfare agents that were initially developed just before and during World War II. The first compounds to be synthesised are known as the G agents ("G" stands for German, as...
Thermal Burns: The Management of Minor Burns
The current ATLS guidelines recommend that all deep-partial and full-thickness burns larger than 20% total body surface area (TBSA) are considered major burns that require resuscitation, while some other sources suggest a lower cut off of 15%. The American Burn...
