Victor Horsley

Sir Victor Horsley (1857–1916) was a pioneer who shaped the development of neurosurgery and the direction of clinical medicine through his work with the British Medical Association, Medical Defence Union, and General Medical Council. Before the nervous system could be imaged, Horsley operated successfully on the brain and spinal cord, and performed palliative procedures on patients dying from brain tumours. Nevertheless, he became a social pariah due to his support for nationalised health insurance, child welfare and women's rights, amongst other causes. In this fascinating biography, leading neurologist Dr Michael J. Aminoff places Horsley's life and work in the context of the society in which he lived and explores his influence on the development of neurosurgery and social policies still in effect. The many underlying themes to the book include the interplay of science and politics, and the responsibility of physicians to themselves and for the welfare of society.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Associated Risk Factors in Patients Attending Diabetic Association Medical College Hospital in Faridpur

Background: The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing all over the world and varies widely depending on the region of the country, dietary habits and socio-economic status. The prevalence of GDM with its associated risk factors has important health complications for both mother and child.Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of GDM and risk factors associated with it in women attending Diabetic Association Medical College Hospital in Faridpur for ante-natal care.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, screening for GDM was performed in 303 pregnant women. Women who consented to participate underwent a standardized 2-hour 75 gm oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). A proforma containing general information on demographic characteristics, socio-economic status, education level, parity, family history of diabetes and past history of GDM etc. was filled in. American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria for 75 gm 2-hour OGTT was used for diagnosing GDM.Results: A total of 303 women participated in the study and GDM was diagnosed in 22 (7.3%) women. A single abnormal value was observed in additional 33 (10.89%) women. On bivariate analysis risk factors found to be significantly associated with GDM were age, household income, parity, educational level, socio-economic status, hypertension, BMI, weight gain, acanthosis nigricans, family history of diabetes and past history of GDM; but on multivariate analysis only upper middle class and presence of acanthosis nigricans were found to be significantly associated with GDM.Conclusion: This study demonstrates a high prevalence of GDM in Bangladesh. These estimates for GDM may help for new suggestions to prevent and manage gestational diabetes.J Enam Med Col 2017; 7(3): 126-133

Hydrostatic Message is an Effective Measure in Canalization of Congenital Naso- Lacrimal Duct Obstruction

Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction presented as watering from eye is often seen in ophthalmic practice. It is estimated that about 20% of newborn suffer from such condition. Out of this, 2-3% suffers from only watering but most of them suffer from both watering & discharge. Most cases of watering in the newborn are due to incomplete canalization of nasolacrimal duct, which is delayed due to unfavourable environment in the vicinity. It needs effective medical treatment to keep healthy environment to exacerbate the process of canalization. Treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction varies among physicians, as to timing & forms but highly successful in most cases but early treatment is important. About 95% cases can be cured by hydrostatic message and only 5% needs probing operation under general anesthesia. The aim of our study is to establish that hydrostatic message is an important treatment option for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. This study was conducted in the department of Ophthalmology at Diabetic Association Medical College & Hospital, Faridpur, from January 2012 to December 2014. A total 100 cases of newborn baby of watering with or without discharges were selected by random sampling. Age group ranges between 07 days to two years. Hydrostatic message was given to all of them after adequate training of hydrostatic message & its importance for the effective treatment to parents or the attendant. In addition, broad spectrum topical antibiotic drops and supportive medication was given. Patients were followed up 3 monthly for 2 years. In this study, 95 patients (95%) were cured. So, hydrostatic message is effective in canalization of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.Faridpur Med. Coll. J. Jul 2015;10(2): 50-51

A Comparative Study of Oral Ivermectin and Topical 5% Permethirn Cream in the Treatment of Scabies in Patient Suffering from Diabetes Mellitus

Scabies is one of the commonest diseases among all age groups. Topical permethrin is a widely used treatment option for scabies. Ivermectin is a newer oral agent for the treatment of scabies. This study was done to compare the efficacy of permithrin and oral Ivermectin in the treatment of Scabies in patient suffering from Diabetes mellitus. This comparative clinical trial was carried out in the outpatient department of Dermatology & Venereology, Diabetic Association Medical College Hospital (DAMCH), Faridpur from January 2012 to December 2012. A total 60 cases were enrolled purposively and divided into 2 groups. Group I received 2 doses oral Ivermectin and group II treated with 5% permethirn cream. Patients were followed up at the 3rd and 4th week. Total 86.6% patients of Ivermectin group and 90% of permethrin group were cured. Though permethrin showed somewhat more effective, the difference was not statistically significant. The study found that both ivermectin and permethrin were similarly effective in the treatment of scabies in patients suffering from Diabetes Mellitus.Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2014;9(2): 70-72

Amblyopia of refractive origin: a clinical evaluation

Amblyopia is defined as unilateral or bilateral decrease in visual acuity without any organic ocular lesion. It generally develops during the first decade of life when the visual system is vulnerable to deprivation. Unilateral amblyopia is more common than bilateral and the amblyopic eye is called lazy eye. This study was carried out in Faridpur Medical College & Hospital (FMCH) and Diabetic Association Medical College & Hospital (DAMCH) Faridpur, in the department of Ophthalmology from January - 2010 to December 2012 with a view to establish that anisometropic (Refractive) amblyopia is more in patients with astigmatism with the rule of both hypermetropic & myopic types also astigmatism against the rule in hypermetropic patients but simple myopia is not associated with amblyopia. Clinically diagnosed 110 patients of amblyopia of refractive origin were selected. Age of the patients was 6 to 15 years with male & female ratio 1.2:1. There was no pathology in the eyes except refractive error. Refraction done all the cases and found the following results: 26 cases (23.63%) of simple myopic astigmatism with the rule, 19 cases (17.27%) of compound myopic astigmatism with the rule, 10 cases (9.09%) of simple hypermetropia, 38 cases (34.54%) of simple hypermertopic astigmatism with the rule and 17 cases (15.45%) of compound hypermetropic astigmatism againt the rule. No case of simple myopia was associated with amblyopia. Amblyopia was more in patients with astigmatism with the rule of both hypermetropic and myopic types and also astigmatism against the rule in hypermetropic patients but simple myopia was not associated with amblyopia.Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2014;9(1): 35-36