Funtabulously Frivolous Friday Five 139

Just when you thought your brain could unwind on a Friday, you realise that it would rather be challenged with some good old fashioned medical trivia…introducing Funtabulously Frivolous Friday Five 139 Question 1 Who is likely to have given one of the first blood transfusion in the United States (clue: famous surgeon)? + Reveal the Funtabulous Answer expand(document.getElementById('ddet589941155'));expand(document.getElementById('ddetlink589941155')) William Halsted, at the age of 29. His sister had delivered her first baby and severe haemorrhage followed. His sister had uncontrolled haemorrhage and others thought she would not survive. Dr. Halsted then took over, stopped the haemorrhage and gave a direct blood transfusion from his arm to his sister with success. He also successfully operated on his mother by lamplight at 2 am who had ascending cholangitis. [Reference] Question 2 Which biological toxin, on a pound-for-pound basis, is has the potential to kill more humans than any other? + Reveal the Funtabulous Answer expand(document.getElementById('ddet587276431'));expand(document.getElementById('ddetlink587276431')) Botulinum A toxin There are actually 6 different types (A to F) produced by the spore-forming gram positive bacillus Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin acts presynaptically to prevent the release of acetylcholine. Consequently the effects include autonomic dysfunction and a progressive flaccid paralysis with early bulbar involvement, usually wit...
Source: Life in the Fast Lane - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Frivolous Friday Five blood transfusion botulinum botulism FFFF herpes zoster hutchinson sign jarsich-herxheimer melanoma syphilis topagnosis William Halsted Source Type: blogs