I tend to agree!
In our instituition we have almost become a satellite centre for disease
control, taking on the multiple scares associated with opening packages
containing white substances. Unfortunatley, in my experience, people with
little medical/ID expertise appear to be running the show and determing who
is "at risk" and who requires definitive Rx. I am always uncomfortable when
placed in a position where I have apparently no decision making over my
"own" patients.....hence employed as a mere technician!
Anthrax is at least in the majority of cases a treatable condition, the
blundering , dehumanising manner in which the decontamination process has
been carried out by the " authorities" (army and EMS personnel) may not be
so readily treatable for my patients.

Beth Christian


>From: Adrian Fogarty <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Accident and Emergency Academic List <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Anthrax
>Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 14:55:34 +0100
>
>I'm not sure the LIST should be used for idle speculation about possible
>cases of this disease, of which I'm sure there are many. By all means
>discuss substantive issues with respect to diagnosis and management, but
>"scaremongering" does not serve any useful purpose, and merely puts us on
>the same level as the media, something we should be keen to avoid!
>
>Adrian Fogarty
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Doc Holiday"
>Subject: Anthrax
>
>
> > Well, I guess it was bound to happen...
> > Has anyone yet, outside the USA (UK/OZ/NZ/etc.), had any dealings with
>the
> > Anthrax issue yet? Just yesterday, found myself with it as a plausible
> > differential for the first time. Still awaiting final results.
> >
> > Have had one prior "public relations scare" with a DHL office here
>calling
> > in the police when one team was "exposed" to white powder which spilled
>out
> > of a box being processed. Quite a bit of panic and about 27 people
>swabbed
> > before it came out that this was a fine, floury, white powder, not
>similar
> > even in characteristics to an Anthrax source. Latest news is that it WAS
>a
> > "clandestine" powder, but for recreational use... Someone's investment
>down
> > the drain...
> >
> > I cannot describe the actual case, as I have not had patient's approval
>for
> > this, but the sputum sample does contain a few large Gram +ve Bacilli
>but
> > also "misxed organisms". Suspected mainly Pneumococcus, but, if it is
> > Anthrax, it will show up by today in its culture morphology, but no-one
>is
> > holding their breath with excitement.
> >
> > Anyone with other experiences?


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