Faculty Bibliography

Mammography represents an interesting chapter in the history of American medical technology. Throughout much of the 20th century, physicians showed little interesting in using x-rays to help diagnose breast cancer. But beginning in the 1960s, with the growing interest in early detection, the professionalization of radiology and cancer activism, and the increasing allure of visual imagery in medicine, screening mammograms became the centerpiece of efforts to lower mortality from breast cancer. Despite its popularity, however, mammography remains highly controversial as physicians, statisticians and the public have continued to debate its actual clinical value. Mammography well exemplifies how cultural, ideological and political factors influence both the dissemination and evaluation of medical technologies.

Case histories of proposed life insurance are presented to introduce the topic of cardiac valvular tumors. Using fibroelastoma as the prototypical cardiac tumor, pathology, diagnosis, echocardiographic findings and clinical course are reviewed, based on available clinical literature. Although the natural history of benign cardiac tumors is uncertain, because of the risk of adverse outcomes, cases must be underwritten on an individual basis until long-term studies become available

Torture and ill-treatment are reportedly widespread in Mexico. Little is known, however, about the quality of forensic investigations and documentation of evidence of these human rights violations. To determine the integrity of the documentation and the presence, quality, and frequency of both physical and psychological evaluations, analyses were conducted on 103 medical evaluations identified in 33 cases of alleged torture and/or ill-treatment that the Mexican National Commission for Human Rights (CNDH) investigated between January 2000 and July 2002. Findings suggest that forensic medical evaluations in CNDH cases have been conducted promptly after alleged occurrences of torture and/or ill-treatment, and the results of such evaluations have often been introduced as evidence in legal investigations. Inadequate documentation in most forensic medical evaluations reinforces the need for effective training, monitoring, and accountability strategies.

Watergate was a vivid human drama with stunning plot turns and priceless characters. There was Tony Ulasewicz, straight from a Damon Runyon novel, who was a bagman for the [Richard Nixon] campaign; John Sirica, the tough federal judge who got the Watergate burglars to talk; Alexander Butterfield, the perplexed White House aide who dropped the bombshell about the taping system in the Oval Office, and Barbara Jordan, the young congresswoman from Texas, whose eloquence regarding the Constitution and Nixon's abuse of it seemed to restore the nation's faith in politics. In fact, it was both. To see Richard Nixon full blown shouldn't obscure the dangerous abuses of executive power by those who came before him. But let's face it: Nixon was unique. A look back at his career shows a relish for lying and lawbreaking, a fear and hatred of normal opposition and a cynicism about the political process that is unrivaled in our history. That is what makes the real Nixon so fascinating and so sorely missed in this book. [David M. Oshinsky] is the Littlefield professor of history at the University of Texas.

Ofri reviews Sloan-Kettering by Abba Kovner and translated by Eddie Levenston