BU Research Blog

International Clinical Trials Day falls on 20th May each year and celebrates clinical research all over the world.

The day highlights the important impact research has had on medicine and on ensuring patients and the public have access to the most up-to-date treatments, and the best care possible.
The day celebrates the anniversary of the first clinical trial by James Lind in 1747, which looked into the causes of scurvy on board HMS Salisbury.

From The James Lind Library:

‘Without stating what method of allocation he used, Lind allocated two men to each of six different daily treatments for a period of fourteen days. The six treatments were: 1.1 litres of cider; twenty-five millilitres of elixir vitriol (dilute sulphuric acid); 18 millilitres of vinegar three times throughout the day before meals; half a pint of sea water; two oranges and one lemon continued for six days only (when the supply was exhausted); and a medicinal paste made up of garlic, mustard seed, dried radish root and gum myrrh.’

There will be various events happening around the county to celebrate, so keep on eye on Twitter for updates from neighbouring NHS Trusts.
Their events will raise awareness of the importance of clinical research, so if you have any queries relating to your own ideas or plans for a clinical project, then please email Suzy Wignall, Clinical Governance Advisor on researchethics@bournemouth.ac.uk.

Hopefully in attending one of the events, you won’t have to drink any of the cures above…and will be given ‘treatments’ similar to this! – http://blogs.bournemouth.ac.uk/research/2017/05/25/randomised-scone-trials-at-dorset-county-hospital/