The nude mouse has several advantages for the study of human tumours. Compared to adult cancers (Sharkey et al., 1978), paediatric tumours have been less extensively xenografted into nude mice (Helson, 1982). The only large series was published by Neely et al. (1983). Most infantile solid tumours are considered embryonic because of the age at which they occur and their potential for differentia...

In Ellis the plaintiff sought compensation for the deceased’s lung cancer on the basis of his work-place asbestos exposure. But a far greater risk had been posed by the deceased’s smoking. Martin CJ, dissenting, concluded that causation was not proven to the requisite standard. The trial judge and the majority on appeal relied upon a number of arguments and doctrines in finding causation, howev...

The Supreme Court has consistently stated that federal appellate courts may issue the writ of mandamus as an interlocutory remedy only under "extraordinary" circumstances," to correct a lower court order that is "not mere error but usurpation of power."2 The Court has explained that mandamus cannot serve as a substitute for normal appeal and should be available "only where appeal is a clearly i...

Although a 1996 U.S. Supreme Court decision affirmed that therapists cannot be compelled to testify in federal proceedings about patients' disclosures, a footnote could be interpreted as creating a "dangerous patient exception" when there is a serious threat of harm. This column describes circuit courts' differing views about whether such an exception exists and the value of an exception. Altho...