Abstract · In his study the author reveals the difficulties of home care of the severely ill and the reasons of frequent communication problems through reviewing many cases in a manner that is understandable by laymen as well. Besides loss-phases that affect the patient and traumas caused by the change of self-image to the extent of some basic practical advices he deals with some important issues of dialogue between the patient and family and psychic problems of the caregivers. In spite of its short extension, the article is written to facilitate successful home care of incurable patients.

Abstract · According to literature data, losing a spouse entails an increase and acceleration in the surviving spouse’s somatic and psychic symptoms. The aim of my examination done in the fall of 2003 was to study through the analysis of medical data (e.g. number of visits) of a smaller, homogenous sample if losing a spouse indeed leads to an increase in the number of somatic and psychic symptoms and if it entails a higher mortality in comparison with the fitted control.

I have reviewed the medical data (consultations, prescriptions and number of specialist referrals) of 62 persons (31 mourners and 31 controls) altogether. Among mourners all studied variables were significantly (p<0.05) higher as compared with those of the control group. The results confirm study data that demonstrate negative effect of loss on psychic and physical health but it is important to emphasize that other factors that were not controlled during the study might be in the background as well.

“Bereavement protocol” means an attitude and manner of care that would minimize negative effects of loss. Interventions aimed to reduce psychic distress following loss might have a favorable effect on psychic and physical mortality and mortality on the long run – that is why mapping of risk factors and early intervention is very important. Unfortunately this is a neglected part of health care and health-information even today – the study draws the attention on its importance.

Abstract · The study introduces the development of organized rescue in Hungary in the last tierce of the 19^th century and its Austrian premises, specially emphasizing the history of patient transport. It gives an insight to the patient transport practice of Vienna policemen-ambulance men, then in that of the Viennese Volunteer Ambulance Society formed in 1881 which was followed by Budapest Volunteer Ambulance Society, founded in 1887 and pays special attention to the regulations on the transport of the dead of various ambulance organizations.

Abstract · Through iconic semantic investigation of the words coffin and cross the study verifies that extended meaning of these words that are considered to be typographic expressions of death demonstrate familiar similarity.