148 patients, 79 males and 60 females were seen in 1978 at Medical Unit Universiti Kebangsaan Kuala Lumpur. For majority of the patients the attacks of asthma begin at an early age. History of allergies were found in majority of the patients. Family history of asthma was noted in about 50%. Of the allergens that triggers of an attack of asthma, household dusts, rhinitis and pollen tops the list. Of the food the common allergens were shrimps, eggs and crabs. Most of the above allergens can be avoided or counteracted.
Study site: Medical Unit, Hospital Kuala Lumpur (UKM unit), Malaysia
The management of schizophrenias has undergone a revolution with the advent of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and a whole range of psycho-pharmaceuticals this century. Along with these, the newer trends towards more humane, and psycho-oriented patient-care have resulted in the management of patients in srnall general hospital units hardly different from a surgical or medical ward. The different areas of treatment of the schizophrenic cannot all be accomplished in a general practice clinic but a surprising number of these patients are successfully managed as out-patients. This paper aims to outline the modern methods used in the management of the schizophrenias and their suitability in general practice.
The result of the opiate (notably heroin) epidemic in Malaysia has been one of an excessive overload on existing medical and social services. The immediate problem of detoxification and rehabilitation is likely to continue for a while before planned and purpose-built and staffed centres take over to bring the problem, hopefully, to manageable proportions.