Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

A gold compound given by deep intramuscular injection in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in children and adults. Known as a second-line or disease-modifying antirheumatoid drug, its therapeutic effect may take up to six months to achieve a full response. Gold treatment is particularly useful for palindromic arthritis in which the disease comes and goes.  

An operation in which large breaches of skin surface due to wounding, burns or ulceration are closed by transplantation of skin from other parts. There are three methods by which this is done. Most frequently the epidermis only is transplanted, using a method introduced by Reverdin and by Thiersch, and known by their names. For…

They may be local to the skin, or a manifestation of systemic disorders inherited or acquired.  

Accommodation that has been adapted to cater for the special requirements of those elderly people who can largely look after themselves but benefit from some discreet supervision. The accommodation is usually a small flat, and a warden will supervise a group of flats. Meals and other services may be provided, and the payment system varies…

This is a type of non-accidental head-injury to infants, which results in cerebral haemorrhage and can cause severe brain damage or even death. There is controversy as to whether it can be caused simply by violent shaking or whether impact against a hard surface is also necessary. In addition, some pathologists claim that identical lesions…

The way in which a characteristic or an illness determined by the sex chromosomes in an individual’s cells is passed on to the succeeding generation. Men have one X and one Y sex chromosome and women have two X chromosomes. Disorders that result from an abnormal number of sex chromosomes include klinefelter’s syndrome, which affects…

A quick-acting volatile liquid anaesthetic. Emergence and recovery from anaesthetic are rapid, and early post-operative measures to control pain are advised.  

Infection in a joint which becomes warm, swollen and sore, with restricted movement. The infectious agent may enter the joint as a result of a penetrating wound or via the bloodstream. The condition is treated by arthrotomy or arthroscopy, joint irrigation and antibiotics. Unless treated, the articular cartilage of the joint is destroyed, resulting in…

This is used as a shampoo in the treatment of dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp. In view of its potential toxicity it should only be used under medical supervision. It must never be applied to inflamed areas of the scalp, and it must not be allowed to get into the eyes as it…

SADS is a disorder in which an affected individual’s mood changes with the seasons. He or she is commonly depressed in winter, picking up again in the spring. The diagnosis is controversial and its prevalence is not known. The mood-change is probably related to light, with melatonin playing a key role.