Abstract
The prescribing of benzodiazepines by casualty officers in a busy district hospital over a three month period was examined by a retrospective review of case notes. Benzodiazepines, mainly diazepam, were given to 1.1% of attenders, the majority of whom had disorders involving minor muscle spasm. The efficacy of diazepam in these conditions, as well as its potential for dependence, is discussed.
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