Nuclear, Biologic, & Chemical Agents; Weapons of Mass Destruction

INTRODUCTIONIn the past, injuries resulting from nuclear, biologic, and chemical attack were largely dealt with only in the military sector. Society as a whole, and specifically the civilian medical community, felt it unlikely that such weapons would be used against civilian populations. Recent changes in the global political environment have forced changes in this thinking. Many smaller nations, some of which are judged unstable,...

Prehospital Emergency Medical Services

INTRODUCTION1This chapter is a revision of the chapter by Charles E. Saunders, MD, FACEP, & Thomas Hearne, PhD, from the 4th edition.The delivery of effective, organized, prehospital emergency medical services (EMS) is a development that dates to the 1960s in the United States. Although there were ambulance providers and even some local systems, there was no national approach to prehospital care until publication of the 1966...