Dimensions of community development projects in Bendel State,Nigeria

Several communities in the Bendel State of Nigeria have distinguished themselves in their enthusiasm for community development through self-help efforts. In addition to their contributions in labour and money these communities also make demands on the government for various forms of aid. Because of the uncoordinated nature of the projects and the demands, the government is precipitated into responses without a thorough examination of the development impact and the priority needs of the projects. An analysis of the characteristics of the completed and on-going community development projects in Bendel State between 1970 and 1982 shows that the prime interest of communities is in the provision of social infrastructure rather than in improved production which will create wealth and employment. Similar mistakes are made by the government in its total funding and in providing matching grants for projects which have doubtful rationales. The paper suggests that planning for community development projects should involve the co-operation of the government and the people. The enthusiasm for development should be encouraged but not at the expense of co-ordinated effort which could bring about the much-desired even development by sorting out priorities and conserving resources.     

Birchall and Benwell. Murder in a Canadian swamp

On 21 February 1890, two woodsmen working in densely wooded Blenheim Swamp in southern Ontario, Canada, stumbled upon the dead body of a young Englishman who had been killed by two gunshot wounds to the head. He was identified as Frederick Benwell by a married couple, the Birchalls, who had traveled with him and another man, Pelly, from England to New York City by ship about 1 week before. The Birchalls lied regarding Benwell's subsequent movements. Questioning Pelly revealed to Detective John Murray that both Pelly and Benwell had replied separately to Birchall's advertisement for young men of means to become partners with him in a large Canadian farm, a deposit first being required. Birchall had been observed taking Benwell from Buffalo, New York, to Blenheim Swamp, for in reality there was no farm. There he had shot Benwell, leaving the body partially exposed. He then tried unsuccessfully to lure Pelly to his death in Niagara Falls. The Birchalls were arrested. Reginald Birchall was tried, convicted, and hanged. His attempt, including murder, to turn the so-called farm pupil colonization scheme to his own benefit had been frustrated by the dogged work of the master Canadian detective Murray.     

Post-traumatic venous and systemic air embolism associated with spinal epidural emphysema: multi-slice computed tomography diagnosis

A 30-year-old man was admitted with chest trauma after a road traffic accident. The patient was paraplegic and suffered from transient monoparesia of the left arm. The chest X-ray revealed a severe right tension pneumothorax and thoracic spine fractures. Emergency right thoracic drainage was carried out followed by angiography. Unfortunately the patient died and an autopsy was not permitted. Consequently post-mortem multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) was performed, revealing presence of air inside the right cerebral arteries, bilateral pneumothorax accompanied by a severe right tension pneumothorax, bilateral haematic pleural effusion, pneumomediastinum and bilateral lung contusions. Air was also observed within the right coronary artery, ascending aorta and right ventricle. Thoracic and cervical spinal epidural emphysema were diagnosed. Venous air embolism followed by arterial air embolism producing paradoxical embolism was diagnosed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case illustrating by post-mortem MSCT such simultaneous complications after chest trauma as spinal epidural emphysema and cerebral and coronary air embolism.     

Scaling legislative decision making: A methodological exercise

Previous work in American state politics shows that an accurate measure of legislative decision-making attributes can be a useful tool for empirical research. Using data from a new survey of state legislators, conducted in 1981, the present analysis includes both an improved survey item and a sophisticated scaling procedure.     

Preventing violence and trauma in the next generation

Research in recent times has clearly demonstrated that violence is predictable and preventable; however, the primary prevention of abusive and violent behavior will not occur without personal, interpersonal, and social change. This article reviews the empirical research supporting hypotheses for primary prevention of many risks associated with children becoming abusive.