Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

These can be divided into five types. First, those which are closely related to the concentration of the drug and are consistent with what is known of its pharmacology. These so-called type A effects are distinguished from type B effects which are unpredictable, usually rare and may be severe. Anaphylaxis is the most obvious of…

Viruses containing double-stranded DNA; these cause around 5 per cent of clinically recognised respiratory illnesses, often producing symptoms resembling those of the common cold. They can also cause enteritis, haemorrhagic cystitis and life-threatening infections in newborn babies.  

A condition in which multiple glandular overgrowths occur. The condition of multiple glandular tissue overgrowths. A condition characterized by the abnormality of glands, manifesting either as hyperplasia, which is the excessive growth of glandular tissue, or the presence of multiple adenomas, which are noncancerous tumors. Adenomatosis is a condition where two or more distinct endocrine…

A non-malignant tumour arising from the epithelium and made up of adipose tissue and glandular tissues. A benign tumor having glandular characteristics but composed of fat.  

A condition in which there is a failure to relax of the muscle fibres around the opening of the gullet, or oesophagus, into the stomach. Failure of the cardiac sphincter to relax, restricting the passage of food to the stomach. In advanced cases, dysphagia is marked, and dilation of the esophagus may occur.  

Accident and Emergency Medicine is the specialty responsible for assessing the immediate needs of acutely ill and injured people. Urgent treatment is provided where necessary; if required, the patient’s admission to an appropriate hospital bed is organised. Every part of the UK has nominated key hospitals with the appropriately trained staff and necessary facilities to…

In 2004, 3.7 million people attended an AXE department in England & Wales because of accidents, 130,000 were admitted to hospital and more than 11,800 people died as a result, nearly half occurring at home and around a third in motor vehicle incidents. Many of these deaths would have been prevented, had appropriate safety measures…

A darkly pigmented warty skin change, usually occurring around the neck and axilla. It may be inherited but can also develop when a person gets a cancer called adenocarcinoma — usually of the stomach — or certain hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome, Addison’s disease and Cushing’s syndrome. A skin disorder in which dark…

This is the sixth nerve rising from the brain and controls the external rectus muscle of the eye, which turns the eye outwards. It is particularly liable to be paralysed in diseases of the nervous system, thus leading to an inward squint. The sixth cranial nerve, known as the abducent nerve, is responsible for supplying…