At Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, training in preventive medicine is incorporated into all four years of the curriculum. The curriculum is described with focus on the fourth year practical course that involves problem solving, using various herds in the area. (JMD)

The relationship between performance on a simulated patient and a real patient presenting a similar clinical problem is examined. Ten residents in family and internal medicine interviewed and examined four actual and four simulated patients and correctly identified 67 percent as real or simulated. (Author/MLW)

The Excerpta Medica on-line test data base of 181,653 records was found to be supplementary to MEDLINE and TOXLINE but especially responsive to searches on drug products. (Author)

New systems for analyzing large numbers of body fluid components can be used in the clinical laboratory. (Author/RH)

Suggestions on how to choose a good dentist are given in this article. (JD)

Social workers and physicians have worked together since the early part of the century, although their professional relationship has tended to reflect the differing values and prestige of social work and medicine. Changes within social work and health care may present opportunities for closer collaboration. Discusses how social workers can…

Hearing loss as a result of meningitis, now the leading nongenetic cause of deafness in infants and young children, may be reduced by the introduction of the HiB (Hemophilus influenzae type B) vaccine. It is highly effective, relatively safe, and recommended for most children over 24 months and high risk children 18-24 months old. (VW)

A longitudinal study of 1,761 children found that children in nonsmoking households used significantly more outpatient services than did those in smoking households, a relationship largely accounted for by the use of more preventive medical services by those in nonsmoking households. (CMG)

Presents a personal view of the practice of meditation with emphasis on its relation to science. Provides instructions for using the Harvard Meditation Technique. (Author/GS)

Predicts that current National Institutes of Health research training programs for surgeons will need to be boubled if an adequate supply of scientifically trained research surgeons is to be maintained. (AL)

Covered is the general nature of networks: advantages, configurations, transmission, speeds, costs and media. As a specific example of networking, planning for a national on-line medical bibliographic service is described; including network alternatives, decentralization versus communications, costs, and selection from alternatives. (3 references)…

Provides a brief history of American Indian medical practices, tools, and drugs. (CP)