[Idiopathic eosinophilic esophagitis: a frequently overlooked disease with typical clinical aspects and discrete endoscopic findings].

In 10 patients presenting with acute recurrent dysphagia, seen over a 4-year period, idiopathic, eosinophilic esophagitis (IEE) was diagnosed. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically. Dysphagia of other causes or other diseases causing eosinophilic infiltration was ruled out.

[Montaigne and Paracelsus].

After some general remarks on Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592), who died just 400 years ago, the author compares him with another most original thinker of the 16th century: Paracelsus. Montaigne and Paracelsus were akin in their fundamental scepticism about human knowledge and convictions. Speaking, in his "Essais", of medicine Montaigne repeatedly quotes Paracelsus.

[Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592): report of a case of not perceiving own blindness].

In the second book of the Essais towards the end of the twelfth chapter Montaigne mentions a nobleman who does not take note of his blindness. This case of not noticing his own blindness is presumably the first ever described. It belongs to the complex of anosognosia symptoms among which must be emphasized the Anton syndrome.

Presenting characteristics of patients with duodenal ulcer and outcome of medical treatment in controlled clinical trials using cimetidine and diethylamine persilate to treat ulcer attack and diethylamine persilate and placebo to prevent relapses.

A double-blind controlled clinical trial on the medical treatment of the acute episode of duodenal ulcer and the prevention of symptomatic relapses was performed. A total of 164 patients with active duodenal ulcer were either treated with cimetidine 1 g/day (70 patients), diethylaminepersilate (DAP) 1.5 g/day (64 patients) or DAP 2.