https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/43890 2026-04-30T17:54:18Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/43944 Title: The aetiology and pathogenesis of emphysema Abstract: The term "emphysema" was coined by Theophile Laennec in 1819 to describe what we today call "Surgical Emphysema". Surgical or Interlobular Emphysema occur when the pressure gradient between the alveolar lumen and the surrounding interstitium is exceeded. The tolerable limit to the steepness of the pressure gradient is 20 30cm of water in neonates (1) and over 150cm in adults. 1975-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/43943 Title: Pregnancy and birth in Maltese tradition Abstract: The key to the unfolding and understanding of the psychological and sociological matrix of a nation lies in its distant past. It is from this remote point in time, therefore, that we have to take our bearings in our exploratory venture for the practices and beliefs that guided our ancestors in their endeavours to keep the flame of life alive from prehistoric times to our own days. From the evidence of the decoration of the earliest pottery to be found in Malta (Gnar Dalam) it appears that the first inhabitants of the Maltese Islands came from the Stentinello area near Syracuse about the year 2500 B.C. (Trump n.d). Some of the archaeological survivals of this stone-age culture reveal the concern of these early inhabitants with the phenomena of procreation and the propagation of life. 1975-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/43901 Title: The problem of obesity in Malta and Gozo Abstract: This problem stares us in the face. Figures and statistics are quite unnecessary and I make no apology for not including them in this paper: every doctor in practice knows that the chances are that his next patient will be overweight to some extent. I propose to deal with the subject under three headings: (1) why are there so many fat people around? (2) How does obesity complicate life? and (3) What can the medical profession do to help solve this problem? 1975-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/43900 Title: Bacterial resistance Abstract: Bacterial resistance may be of two types. In 'drug tolerance' (primary or acquired) the bacterial strain grows ,in the presence of the drug either with a total indifference or in a less luxuriant manner. In 'drug destroying' resistance, bacterial products e.g. penicillinase, inactivate the drug. 1975-01-01T00:00:00Z