The early history of European Federation of medical informatics.

The story of the European Federation of Medical Informatics (EFMI) can be looked upon as one of the followers from the early days of the development of Societies and federations for persons interested in Information Technology and in cooperation and exchange of information and technology, not only in countries but also between countries.

From punched cards to computerized patient records: a personal journey.

Objectives: This paper presents the early history of the development of CPR in Sweden, the importance of international cooperation and standardisation and how this cooperation has been facilitated by IMIA, the European Union and the standards organisations. It ends with the lessons learned after 35 years of experience put together by the Swedish Institute for Health Services Development, SPRI, in a 5 year project initiated by the Swedish Government and with participation of most health care providers in the country.

Methods: Starting with the first attempts to use punched cards to store and use patient information for clinical use the author describes his troublesome and difficult road to a Computerized Patient Record that could be used both for the work with the patient and as a tool to follow up both the diagnostic and therapeutic processes and for clinical research.

Human health effects from chronic arsenic poisoning--a review.

The ill effects of human exposure to arsenic (As) have recently been reevaluated by government agencies around the world. This has lead to a lowering of As guidelines in drinking water, with Canada decreasing the maximum allowable level from 50 to 25 microg/L and the U.S.

Diuretic treatment of nocturnal enuresis.

Objective: Nocturnal polyuria is considered a major pathogenetic factor in nocturnal enuresis, and the antidiuretic drug desmopressin, given at bed-time, is consequently recognized as a first-line treatment alternative. The aim of this open, non-randomized study was to see whether diuretic medication, given in the afternoon, could give similar therapeutic benefit.

Material And Methods: Sixty-three children suffering from primary, monosymptomatic, nocturnal enuresis were included in the study by their primary care paediatrician.