As a general practitioner and intrauterine device (IUD) fitter for over 13 years now I applaud looking at new ways to reduce the pain of IUD insertion as described in Vincent and Sewell’s letter in the October 2012 issue of the Journal, and recently I have also looked into the possibility of getting some Entonox in our practice for IUD fitting. For most women the experience of having an IUD fit...

The recent campaign to retake the Falkland Islands was a novel military exercise from many points of view. This was particularly so for the medical support, which required much improvisation at all levels. Several surgical teams from the Royal Navy and the Royal Army Medical Corps were deployed in support of both the fleet and the troops on land. Two Royal Naval teams embarked in SS Canberra, a...

BACKGROUND Intramuscular pethidine is routinely used throughout the UK for labour analgesia. Studies have suggested that pethidine provides little pain relief in labour and has a number of side effects affecting mother and neonate. It can cause nausea, vomiting and dysphoria in mothers and can cause reduced fetal heart rate variability and accelerations. Neonatal effects include respiratory dep...

Nitrous Oxide, our old companion is in use since long. Its two properties analgesia and reduction in MAC of inhalational agent make it a powerful tool in anaesthetic practice. Importance of nitrous oxide can be judged from the fact that sizable percentage of anaesthetists will cancel the elective list if nitrous oxide is not available! Widespread and prolonged use of nitrous oxide has brought i...