University of Michigan Medical and Nursing School - Aequanimitas Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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The senior selective study program has offered the student numerous opportunities to study in fields of his particular interest. Fortunately, the combination of vacation and selective period offers six months which can be used for a specific project. Although the large majority of medical students will not enter a field of research, to become involved in a project, to try out new ideas, and to review the literature is a rewarding experience regardless of the student's initial interest. Many who feel they would like research find out only after trying it, that it is not for them, while others who reluctantly par- ticipated because of their program demands, have found it much to their liking and have made great strides. Presently, the field of academic medicine re- quires participation in a specific field of research and the earlier one can gain experience the sooner he will be able to participate actively in answering some of the vast number of questions that are nec- cessary for ultimate clinical adaptation and benefit. Although the practicing physician may not be ac- tively engaged in research, the understanding of its needs, frustrations, and the approach to perplexing problems would benefit his daily practice by helping him evaluate the merits of proposed new methods of treatment. We have been working in the field of transplanta- tion. The ultimate benefits of being able to trans- plant organs successfully from man to man are obvi- ous. Many methods of prolonging survival of trans- planted tissues are being investigated without any truly startling breakthroughs. One of the newest ap- proaches is the use of various toxic drugs. Some positive results are beginning to appearinthe litera- ture. However, in this field as in most others, the real answer lies at very basic levels of research. We feel the answer is not far away but it will require the sound basic approach of the immunochemist and biochemist to answer the many puzzling and contra- dictory findings presently being reported by many empirical investigators in this field. Gene Bolles, '63

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if One of the more recent developments in the field of obstetrics is the use of hypno- sis as an analgesic for painless childbirth. Expectant mothers are delivered, episioto- mies are done and repaired, and Caesarean sections are performed with hypnosis as the only analgesic, It has been my privilege to spend my selective study time with R. V. August, M.D., learning about this new art. Daily, Iworked with him both in his private practice and at Hackley Hospital in Muskegon, Michigan, where he is Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology. While living at the hospital, I was able to see and do many deliveries with the aid of standard analgesics and anesthetics, some with hypno- sis, and others with a combination of both. My data is in the form of a report that has been turned over to Dr. Kutcipal of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan. Hypnosis was also applied successfully in the treatment of vaginismus, menstrual dysfunction, frigidity, pseudocyesis, functional dysmenor- rhea, psychogenic amenorrhea, psychogenic uterine bleeding, premenstrual tension, menstrual migraine, psychogenic pruritis vulvae, functional sterility, psychogenic leukorrhea, obesity, problems of menopause, and other areas. Presently hypnosis has not been accepted by most obstetricians, yet it does seem to offer many advantages over other forms of analgesia. Participation in this area of medicine was a rewarding experience. M. C. Burton, '63 132

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