Search

To the Editor .—The article by Wells and Gernon 1 in the June issue of theArchivesconcerning use of 2-cyano-butyl-acrylate (Histoacryl) was most interesting. The results would appear to indicate that the medication can be used successfully, at least on animal models. The authors also mention that the medication has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, although it is widely used in Europe. I am writing to further caution that use of this drug may cause much legal difficulty. I am personally aware of a case in which cyano-acrylate was used in a dental oral procedure and suit was brought against the dentist. The suit was settled out of court because of the fact that a nonapproved drug had been used. Therefore, I think that even though the drug appears to work well on test models, it should not be used by otologic surgeons in

To the Editor .—The article entitled "Office and Operating Room Management of Cardiac Arrest" by Sabiston and Hicks, which was published in the FebruaryArchives(1982;108:87-89), was much appreciated by me primarily for its succinct form and flowchart approach to the problem of cardiac arrest. Fortunately, as ear, nose, and throat surgeons, we rarely are called on to manage this problem; therefore, an overall review periodically is helpful. I have cut out Tables 1 and 2 from that article regarding the cardiac arrest protocol and memory dose and have enclosed them in a plastic cover and placed them in my wallet. I also believe it might be worthwhile for the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery to seriously consider distribution of these tables on a wallet-sized plastic card.

A chancre is the primary lesion of syphilis, which makes its appearance at the seat of inoculation, usually from twenty-one to thirty days after contact with the essential cause of the disease, which at the present time is not definitely known. The physician who has had the opportunity of observing patients suffering with the disease in its various phases, skeptical though he may be, must yield to the preponderance of clinical evidence, which favors the consideration of this being a disease caused by microorganisms or their ptomaines. This theory is strongly supported by the fact that certain phases of the disease or its deleterious effects upon the tissues of the body, produce pathologic conditions analogous in character to other well-known diseases of microbio origin, viz.: yaws, glanders and other granulomata. While the clouds of uncertainty are hanging over us regarding this disease, the search light is still in the hands