Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

W Massello

Publications and source records attributed to W Massello.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

A fatality due to the intranasal abuse of methylphenidate (Ritalin).

A fatality in a teenager from the recreational intranasal abuse of methylphenidate (Ritalin) is reported. The prescribed use of methylphenidate (Ritalin) in the treatment of attention deficit and/or hyperactivity disorder is widespread. The intranasal abuse of methylphenidate (Ritalin) among teenagers is becoming increasingly more recognized. Previous deaths from the parenteral abuse of methylphenidate (Ritalin) have been reported. This fatality is the first reported from its intranasal abuse.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Three cases of fatal anaphylaxis to antibiotics in patients with prior histories of allergy to the drug.

Three cases of fatal anaphylaxis to penicillin and cephalexin are described. All three patients had prior histories of severe allergic reactions to the antibiotics they were given. The radioallergosorbent test was positive on post-mortem blood to the appropriate antibiotic in all three cases. RAST can be performed on post-mortem specimens of serum, sodium fluoride-treated blood, or whole blood.

Adult↗

The proof in law of suicide.

The certification of suicide as the manner of death is frequently contested in court by the victim's survivors, particularly when there are life insurance benefits at stake. The evidence upon which the opinion of suicide is based must, therefore, meet the standard of proof required in law, if it is to be sustained by the courts. This standard of proof and some of its contingent common law doctrines are discussed, with references to several judicial opinions from cases which involved contested suicides.

Coroners and Medical Examiners↗

The insanity defense to suicide.

The certification of suicide as the manner of death can result in either the complete loss or a significant reduction in life insurance benefits to the victim's survivors. It is, thus, not uncommon for these beneficiaries to contest suicide as the manner of death. Insanity is a recognized defense in law against suicide. It is recognized in law that, in some cases, an insane man cannot intentionally destroy himself. However, it is also recognized that life insurers can exclude suicide by an insane man from coverage. This article discusses the common law doctrines upon which the insanity defense to suicide is based, with references to judicial opinions from cases which involve contested suicides and the issue of insanity.

Coroners and Medical Examiners↗

Lightning deaths.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Accidents↗