Drowning surveillance has been “hampered by the lack of a uniform and internationally accepted definition that permits all relevant cases to be counted” according to a new international consensus panel. The experts call for a new definition that covers both fatal and nonfatal events, with outcomes classified as death, morbidity, and no morbidity. They also agree to avoid the use of the terms “wet, ” “dry,” “active,” “passive,” “silent,” and “secondary” drowning, while “near-drowning” also does not appear to be recommended. The new definition will help to draw necessary attention to drowning events that do not result in death, and researchers are urged to use it and to report on its advantages and disadvantages.

In 2003, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that syrup of ipecac no longer be routinely used as a treatment intervention for poisonings and later that year, the US Food and Drug Administration recommended that it no longer be available for over-the-counter purchase. A recent article, serving as “both a literature …