https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13140 2026-04-04T21:37:06Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13689 Title: The St. Luke`s Hospital Gazette : volume 3 issue 2 Abstract: A warm welcoming note to the British Medical Association opens up the editorial, who will be holding their 12th Annual Clinical Meeting in April 1969. Cordial respect and gratitude is also expressed towards medicine and science in Britain, since as the editorial points out “It is Britain that directly or otherwise fosters our university studies and it is in Britain that we carry out our postgraduate work”. Furthermore, relations between British and Maltese doctors and scientists have been characterised by mutual esteem, the partnership being as perfect as is humanly possible. On a negative note, the editorial argues against the set of new regulations by the University for the M.D. degree, which according to the editor constitute a retrogressive step. A scientific “Publications List” by graduates of the Maltese medical schools is presented. Within the “Medical News” section, information is provided about outstanding lectures given by overseas physicians, with particular reference to Professor Carmelo Coleiro who just retired from the post of Chief Government Medical Officer. Worthwhile mentioning that he had to deal with cases of bubonic plague in 1936. New achievements of Maltese physicians overseas are mentioned in the section entitled “Amongst Ourselves”. An Index containing an alphabetical list of the authors and the titles of the articles is also included. Noteworthy also are several advertisements promoting the names of particular pharmaceuticals at that time. 1968-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13652 Title: The legal meaning of insanity Authors: Cuschieri, Andrew Abstract: A satisfactory legal definition of insanity has not yet been provided, and with our present knowledge, the chances are undeniably against any attempt at providing one being successful. A full understanding of insanity from the legal point of view presupposes a basic knowledge of psychology and psychiatry. It is not simply the absence of the deliberative faculty that makes a person juridically insane. For a person to be considered insane there must be a definite identifiable abnormality. The question of psychological freedom presents more implications in cases of insanity. In many instances the patient seems to act according to his wits, and he may appear quite conscious of his actions, but we will later find that we have been cheated by the patient's apparent psychological consciousness. But this is a practical question which should not detain us in our pursuit. Once we have laid down the fundamental principle of human activity, we are likely to learn the meaning of insanity as understood by law. 1968-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13645 Title: To die and let live : that is the question Authors: Borg, Daniel Abstract: The reader will quickly notice that the title of this paper is a variation on a popular catchphrase with half a line from "Hamlet" tagged on. The subjects presented are the modern controversy about resuscitation, the moment of death and transplantation of human vital organs: nowadays a person may, after death, still render a great service to his fellow men on whom his viable organ/s could be grafted to improve their precarious health and to prolong their lives. The Catholic Church`s beliefs regarding resuscitation aspects, specifically those claimed by Pope Pius XII are further described and discussed. Additionally, the role of the physician is explained, as he or she should be the sole arbiter in deciding authoritatively whether the patient is alive or dead. Surely he or she could, and is expected to, enlist the aid of any chemical or electrical means available in reaching and confirming his decision. 1968-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13628 Title: Commentary on the first hundred cases seen at the Mosta diabetes clinic Authors: Azzopardi, Nazzareno Abstract: This modern clinic, situated in the Civic Centre of Mosta, is an offshoot of the six year old one at the Out Patient Department of St. Luke's Hospital; the Medical and Health Department and the Order of St. John have been jointly responsible for staffing and equipping it. The patients attending mainly come from the northwesterly part of Malta but the clinic is open to all. Remarkable factors in relation to diabetes, as observed in the first 100 patients of the Mosta diabetes clinic, such as the criterion used to detect this disease, overweight, the way patients discover their illness, hereditary aspects, eyesight problems, diabetic neuropathy and complications encountered are discussed. Furthermore, it is emphasized that diabetes can be controlled and also rendered less dangerous if treated with skill guided by laboratory tests. Haphazard treatment with an occasional blood glucose level test will not succeed, except in the very mild cases that after all can be managed by strict dietary control. 1968-01-01T00:00:00Z