Medical webwatch.

Otolaryngology Houston http://www.ghorayeb.com/Pictures.html is authored by Bechara Y. Ghorayeb, MD and is a large A to Z photographic database of otolaryngology conditions. The galleries may also be perused by anatomical category. Most of the illustrations, including intraoperative photographs, are accompanied by explanatory text. The summaries are supported by outsourced references where appropriate and a small number of the pages are similarly outsourced. Each page has a list of related images alongside for continuity. The whole experience is a fascinating sojourn through a scenic otolaryngology landscape.

Mouse party http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/addiction/drugs/mouse.cfm. Although these cartoons do not deal in depth with the neuropharmacology of substance abuse, the website does attest to the efficacy of good animations on attention span. As an alternative perspective for adolescents to their street experiences of drugs, this package is spot on. Indeed one wonders if more medicine could be taught this way. The animations are presented by the Genetics Learning Science Learning Centre, University of Utah, and are well planned, with voice-over cartoons, popup text, and annotated screens that illuminate neurotransmitter mediation of the heroin, ecstasy, alcohol, marijuana, LSD, nicotine, cocaine, and methamphetamine experiences. The eject mouse button activates an amusing sound effect that could only have been programmed by someone who has had personal experience handling mice in the laboratory. This simplistic model would be an amusing entry point to an understanding that drugs are actually working on, and not for, the user.

Ophthalmology Grand Rounds (EYERounds) http://webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu/eyeforum/index.htm is from the University of Iowa Health Care, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences. Their home page offers an "Ophthalmology Case Index" which is a wide-ranging and well documented series of cases accompanied by excellent photographs, diagnostic charts and operative procedures. Midway down each case discussion is a boxed gift called "DX" where epidemiology, signs, symptoms and treatment are conveniently wrapped for takeaway. Also on the menu is "Ophthalmology Tutorials," while for patient education, a series of slides is provided http://webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu/eyeforum/patients.htm.

Grand rounds online http://medinfo.ufl.edu/cme/grounds/index.shtml is from the University of Florida, College of Medicine, Office of Medical Informatics. Choose from 12 medical specialties. The grand rounds offer voice-over slide shows lasting between half to one hour in duration. The lectures are dated from 2004 to 2006 with the majority being from 2006. The names of the speakers are listed alongside. Each presentation opens to a welcome screen advising of a 30-second download delay. The presentations are a relaxing rumination on a sunny day.

NHS Blog Doctor http://nhsblogdoc.blogspot.com/ is replete with incisive comments on the United Kingdom's National Health Service. The blog's author says that it has been recommended by mainstream media, and the medical media in the UK. I found it to be both serious and amusing; it is certainly an eclectic catalog of comments. As well as concentrating on the NHS in the UK, it also covers other world events that impinge upon this medical blogger's conscience. There are frequent links to his sources, which include other interesting blogs, websites, or news reports that he has used for commentary, and these certainly add spice to the pages. There is so much content and thoughtful insight on this blog that the author must spend quite some time composing the entries. The blog provides stimulation for further discussion into what are very pertinent insights into the NHS and other British maladies. There is a list of recommended medical blogs on the right of the page, some of which are American. One satirical part of the blog is a serialization under the nom de plume Dr. Crippen which opens with the sobriquet ... "Dr. Crippen is angry. He has worked for over 20 years in the NHS. He watches and weeps as the Health Service, slowly but inexorably, is destroyed. He takes a sad, sometimes humorous, sometimes cynical, look at the health care from the inside." I hope you survive your consultation with Dr. Crippen.

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