[Acute alcoholic myopathy].

A case of acute alcoholic myopathy in a subject with a 20 year history of alcohol abuse is described. The condition emerged during an episode of delirium tremens and had a quickly deadly outcome. The rapid evolution of the clinical situation accompanied by variation in the biohumoral indices (CPK, LDH, myoglobin) is stressed and although this prevented from obtaining anatomopathological samples of the rhabdomyolisis, the specific diagnosis was made with reasonable certainty.

[Indoor pollution: a report of 2 clinical cases of occult carbon monoxide poisoning].

A large part of the general population is potentially exposed to excessive concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), both in the domestic and work environment. Beside acute, often fatal poisoning, the possibility of occult intoxication should be considered; this condition can affect people who are often unaware of the existence of a toxic exposure in their homes or work places. We describe two non-smoking patients, husband and wife, 53 and 57 years old, respectively, who suffered cephalea, nausea and neurobehavioural disturbances during a period of approximately one year; these symptoms were reported to improve or disappear on several occasions during the patients' absence from home.

[Thyroid function in bronchial asthma].

The Authors report the results of an investigation on association between bronchial hyperreactivity to metacholine in asthmatic subjects and subclinical dysfunction of the thyroid gland. Although the T4 and free T3 values were higher in the control group than in asthmatic patients, all the hormone dosage results were within the normal range. These findings show that asthma is not associated with changes in thyroid function.

[Men and home environment: when the wife exercises an extra-familial activity].

The study examines the views of men towards the division of household duties when the female partner is employed outside the home. A variety of behaviour ranging from a complete refusal to participate in domestic activity to an equal division of household tasks is demonstrated. The main determining factors seem to be: socio-cultural level and age group.