The Mysterious Sweating Sickness

The Mysterious Sweating Sickness

The Middle Ages are renowned for being a turbulent and difficult period of history. War, famine and disease occurred throughout the period and one of the most devastating pandemics in history, the Black Death, occurred in the mid 14th century. The Black Death was not...
Arterial Line Placement

Arterial Line Placement

Arterial line placement is a very common procedure in critical care and emergency medicine settings. The most common indications are: Haemodynamic instability requiring continuous direct BP monitoring Titration of vasopressors (or other cardioactive drugs) Need for...
The Dancing Plague of 1518

The Dancing Plague of 1518

In the summer of 1518 in the city of Strasbourg, Alsace, a woman by the name of Frau Troffea took to the streets and started to dance. She continued to dance day and night without stopping. No one knows why she started but within a few days others started to join in....
What is Eosinophilic Oesophagitis?

What is Eosinophilic Oesophagitis?

Eosinophilic oesophagitis, which is sometimes abbreviated to EoE in American publications, is an allergic inflammatory condition of the oesophagus that involves eosinophils. It was first discovered as a clinical entity around 20 years ago but has only recently become...
Survival Tips for Night Shifts

Survival Tips for Night Shifts

In the 14 years or so that I worked regular night shifts in the Emergency Department, I’m not sure I can honestly say that I ever fully adapted to them. It is well recognised that there is an increased risk of poor decision-making and errors at night, and it is,...
Exchange Opportunities for Medical Students

Exchange Opportunities for Medical Students

As they navigate through Medical School, students are exposed to a varying number of opportunities, and among them gentle invitations to explore the medical perspectives of other nations. From in-class interactions with their colleagues from different parts of the...