Thyme (genus Thymus), is the name given to a range of plants, members of the Lamiaceae family. [In Greek λάμια means a gaping mouth, describing the shape of the flowers; […]
Columnists
Rachel Clarke: Medicine for the soul—thoughts from dotMD conference 2019
The enduring importance of doctors in a high-tech world is their human connection to patients, says Rachel Clarke […]
David Oliver: The view from the conference lectern
Preparing a talk for a medical conference is an arduous and often thankless task. Let’s give speakers a break, says David Oliver […]
Richard Smith: The “NCD crowd” vent their frustrations but identify some ways forward
“Frustrated” was the word used several times to describe the mood of people interested in combatting NCD (non-communicable disease) at a meeting at Chatham House last week. Progress is slow: […]
Jeffrey Aronson: When I Use a Word . . . Hormesis
Last week I discussed the different types of concentration-effect curves that R P (Steve) Stephenson reported in 1956, by using alkylated trimethylammonium salts to induce contractions in guinea-pig ileum in […]
Martin McKee: Booze and fags replace bread and circuses—selling Brexit to the people
For a government that claims to be doing everything possible to reach a deal with the European Union as it leaves it, the latest message from Her Majesty’s Treasury (Finance […]
Richard Smith: Time to regulate cyclists
Yesterday a cyclist in the centre of London jumped a red light and clipped a pedestrian crossing the road. The pedestrian protested, at which point the cyclist got off his […]
Richard Lehman: Polypills and Roses
Last month, the first large trial of a Polypill with five-year follow up appeared in The Lancet. Called PolyIran, it was a cluster randomised trial conducted mainly in the villages […]
Jeffrey Aronson: When I Use a Word . . . A V Hill and concentration-effect curves
Last week I discussed the origins of the terms “dose-response curve” and “concentration-effect curve”, which are often used interchangeably. The pharmacologist Alfred Joseph Clark (1885–1941) was the first to observe […]
Richard Smith: Schwartz rounds—a simple way to support staff and promote compassionate patient care
Schwartz rounds have been shown to improve staff wellbeing and patient care; it’s time for them to be rolled out, says Richard Smith […]