dominant fingers, or the sharp edge of the opened base injures the palmar aspect of the non-dominant fingers if the base is held too close to the unprotected edge. Thus the dorsal aspects of the dominant fingers and the palmar aspects of the non-dominant fingers will be selectively at risk when opening a corned beef can, while injuries from other types ofcan are random. Corned beefis almost uniformly sold in tapered, key opened cans, the design of which is over 100 years old. These cans were originally chosen for their robustness and easy opening. Although the inevitable expense of redesigning corned beef cans may result in higher prices and initial consumer resistance, the design of the can should be reviewed. The cost of the resulting morbidity from these injuries is difficult to quantify, but added to costs of treatment must be those of enforced absences from employment. This study shows that corned beef cans cause a disproportionate number of injuries to the hands of their users and that such injuries are common.

Studies of medical student performance have focused on various factors, including premedical academics, maturity, familial background and support, and personal experiences with illness. Most studies have been conducted in countries with highly developed educational systems and similar cultural and social systems. It is not clear that these findings can be applied to developing countries, where the educational and cultural experiences may be very different, and where medical instruction is carried out in a non-native language. Information was obtained from a survey of 153 fifth- and sixth-year medical students at King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia. The survey measured premedical educational, social and cultural experiences that might affect medical school performance. Men performed as well as women in the medical school despite heavy familial and social commitments. Women's performance seems to be more influenced by changes in living environment. Achievement in premedical years was correlated positively with grade performance in medical school. Competence in the high-school English courses was related to medical school performance. Interest in the study of medicine prior to medical school was not related to performance. Other motivations, such as social gains, financial benefits or family wish, were related to lower performance. Current interest in clinical medicine correlated negatively with performance. Students motivated by the presence of chronic ill health in their families performed significantly lower. Factors influencing medical school performance in developed countries had similar impact on medical students in a developing country. Social factors, unique to the country, also play a role in medical student performance.

Abslract52 diaberic parients (32 non-insulin-dependent and 20 insulin-dependent)