Kenneth R Hill

The ultrastructure of normal squamous epithelium of the human cervix uteri.

The fine structure of normal squamous epithelium of the human cervix uteri is described. It was not possible to draw clear-cut distinctions between all of the five successive layers commonly described on the basis of light microscopy. The observations are discussed in terms of three layers, a single-layered stratum germinativum, a wide stratum spinosum, and a superficial multilayered stratum functionalis. Although cervical epithelium does not normally keratinize, structural precursors of keratin are found in the form of fine cytoplasmic filaments. The cells of the stratum functionalis contain keratohyalin granules and have thickened cell membrane. Basal and suprabasal clear cells without desmosomal attachments were seen. The morphological features of some of these cells fulfill the requirements for Langerhans cells. The epithelium is compared with the epidermis.

Small granules and plasma membrane thickening in human cervical squamous epithelium.

Small granules characteristically present in the stratum spinosum of cervical squamous epithelium and plasma membrane thickening of the cells of the stratum functionalis are described. The three leaflets of the plasma membrane of the cells are examined at successive levels of the epithelium and are not significantly altered from the stratum germinativum to the stratum spinosum superficiale. The peripheral thickening of the cells of the stratum functionalis is seen to be limited to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. The granules are not thought to be involved in this thickening process. A possible role of the granules in the formation of keratohyalin granules is discussed.

Some reflections on medical education and teaching in the developing countries.

MwrstBWTM 585 Summary Aberdeen medical students were asked by questionary what they intended to do when qualified, why they had chosen a particular specialty, and where they planned to practise. This paper is based on the answers of 223 students in the second to the fifth years of study. There was considerable variation between students in different years in respect of sex ratio and place of upbringing. The social background of these medical students is shown to be predominantly professional. A majority of both junior and senior students had either made a definite choice of specialty (including general practice) or had developed a special interest. One out of every three British students intended to enter general practice; most overseas students wanted to train as soon as possible for one of the specialties urgently required in their own country. Some of the factors associated with the various patterns of interest are described. Nearly one out of every four British-born students said they were considering going abroad to practise, and the countries most often mentioned were Canada, U.S.A., Australia, and New Zealand. Although the prediction value of such statements is obviously uncertain, these intentions reinforce current concern about medical emigration and support the need for an objective national study of the reasons why so many students and graduates wish to practise abroad. The following article embraces the subject-matter of talks and discussions on medical education and teaching held during 1961-2 at various medical schools in East and West Africa, Egypt, Sudan, and Iraq. By medical education and teaching I mean study and instruction in medicine in order to produce medical practitioners, but the scientific and cultural aspects must not be forgotten. Although the two aspects on the training of a doctor-education and teaching-cannot be divorced, the former tends to lay emphasis on the intellectual features of medicine as part of the whole corpus of knowledge-for example, its relation with other sciences and the humanities and the development of the faculty of judgment-whereas the latter tends to imply instruction in current technical methods. Medical education must include some practical training and medical teaching should include some broader philosophical aspects. Historically the training of medical men from the earliest times has had a cultural association , particularly with religion. Thus the witch-doctor (with his psychosomatic associations) and the priests of ancient times (with access to the gods of health) tended to underline the importance …

Aureomycin in the treatment of framboesia

Abstract Ten cases of framboesia, seven showing initial lesions and all early framboesides, were treated with aureomycin; dosage was 25 mg. per kg. body weight per day for 14 days. The results after a 6-month period from the commencement of treatment were as follows 1. (i) All cases showed complete clinical cure and there were no relapses. 2. (ii) In seven cases there was a reversal of the Kahn serological test or a marked decrease in titre; two cases which were originally seronegative remained so. 3. (iii) In five cases healing of the initial and framboesidal lesions was marked by the formation of a chalky-white crust which subsequently gave rise to normal epithelialization and healing.