https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/4385 2026-04-17T07:11:35Z 2026-04-17T07:11:35Z Sammut, David James https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/4425 2016-04-15T08:12:22Z 2012-11-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Dangerous creatures of the Maltese sea : injuries and treatment : part 1 Authors: Sammut, David James Abstract: This article is intended to give information about different organisms which inhabit the Maltese sea and which are potentially harmful. Doctors working in the primary health setup and sometimes also in secondary care are often faced with injuries related to these organisms. The nature of the injury and its treatment is then discussed. Treatment however is not evidenced based as little if any studies have been conducted in this field of medicine. This first of two articles will review the well-known jellyfish stings and other less familiar venomous organisms such as the bristle worm and the sting ray.

2012-11-01T00:00:00Z Pace, Odette https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/4424 2015-08-05T07:27:57Z 2012-11-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Complementary and alternative medicine : facts and figures : part 2 Authors: Pace, Odette Abstract: The popularity of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is evident in both developed and less developed societies. It is perceived as being more natural and having fewer side effects than conventional medicine. Claims for efficacy are often unsubstantiated. In this second article, other forms of CAM will be described including herbalism, chiropractic, osteopathy, reflexology and iridology. Proposed mechanisms of action and evidence-based research about their efficacy will be presented, while issues related to safety and regulation will be discussed. Evidence for or against the efficacy of these forms of complementary and alternative medicine was obtained from studies, reviews and meta-analyses researched from various online publications. There is evidence for efficacy of osteopathy and chiropractic in low back pain, but little evidence for efficacy of herbal medicine. No evidence was demonstrated in iridology and reflexology. CAM practices should be researched for efficacy and safety applying the same standards used in conventional medicine.

2012-11-01T00:00:00Z Bugeja, Anton https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/4423 2017-11-15T11:25:10Z 2012-08-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Documentary sources for the history of the Maltese general practitioner Authors: Bugeja, Anton Abstract: The history of the Maltese General Practitioner (GP) remains to be written. Such history will enhance the identity of the family doctor and prove indispensable to characterise the Maltese context of practice. To list some of the resources available for the study of the history of the Maltese GP and use it to provide an overview of relevant material for the pre-seventeenth- century period. Over the past ten years, note was made of the material and literature encountered that could be of relevance to Maltese medical history in general and that of the Maltese GP in particular. Further information was obtained by consulting the references and other information provided by these works. These sources were categorized. As a case study, information on community medical services preceding 1600 AD was collected to come up with an account that goes beyond a strictly chronological overview, giving particular attention to other details such as training, remuneration, political involvement as well as gender and social issues. Evidence has been presented for fifteenth century community health services in Gozo and Mdina. In the following century, such service spread to a number of villages in Malta, financed by institutions or private individuals.

2012-08-01T00:00:00Z Pace, Odette https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/4415 2015-08-05T07:25:12Z 2012-08-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Complementary and alternative medicine : facts and figures (part I) Authors: Pace, Odette Abstract: Complementary and alternative medical practices are flourishing despite the current fast pace of scientific research and discovery. Traditional practices combine with newer philosophies to make up the vast spectrum that constitute this phenomenon. To describe homeopathy and acupuncture, proposed mechanisms of action, present scientific research to prove or disprove their efficacy and discuss safety issues. Studies, reviews and meta-analyses dealing with this subject were researched from various publications to present evidence for or against the efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine. Recent rigorous studies on acupuncture and homeopathy show no results beyond what is attributable to placebo effect. Complementary and alternative medical practices should be researched for efficacy and safety by the same standards used in conventional medicine.

2012-08-01T00:00:00Z