The gas chromatographic determination of carbophos in cadaveric material

The authors developed a method of malathion insecticide determination in the cadaveric material (blood and wall of the stomach) including extraction of 5 ml of blood (5 g of fragmented tissue of stomach wall) by hexan; preparative chromatographic purification of extract on silicagel layer L 5/40 mkm in hexan-diethyl ether system 10:2; Gas-liquid chromatographic investigation on column with 5% SE-30 and 5% XE-60 (Chromatograph "Colour-106" with thermionic detector). This method makes it possible to detect 72-76% of malathion added.     

2 fatalities due to hyperthermia in infancy. A contribution to forensic medicine case reports of death caused by heat

Two infants aged 4 1/2 and 8 months are reported to have been exposed to overheating by an electric blanket and a heating fan in bed for a period of up to approx. 19 hours. Dehydration complicated the effects of overheating. Due to the case history in combination with the autopsy and histological findings as well as the absence of toxicological findings the following diagnosis could be established: "Death from exhaustion as a consequence of long-lasting heat effect and dehydration." The necessity of thorough investigations in causes of death during infancy is shown by means of the two cases above. If possible, the rectal temperature should already be taken by the coroner. The public should get informed about the risks caused by the use of electric cushions, heating fans as well as floorboard heating.     

Causes of death in hospitalized intravenous drug abusers

The authors reviewed at autopsy the causes of death of 274 patients with evidence of intravenous drug abuse who had been admitted to a large public hospital. There were 127 who died from diseases unrelated to intravenous drug abuse, and in 41% of these, chronic alcoholism was implicated. Deaths from overdose syndromes and drug-related organ pathology comprised only 11% of all cases. The mean age at death was 39 years. There was a male/female ratio of 3.6:1. Half of all patients died from infection--72 from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) alone. These findings indicate that persons hospitalized with a history of intravenous drug abuse usually die from causes other than overdose and that AIDS and chronic alcoholism are significant problems. Emphasis should be placed upon detecting "hidden" intravenous drug deaths to provide more accurate statistical information.