Abstract

The frequencies of clinical laboratory examinations in Koreans teaching hospitals have been increased to the level of any advanced countries for the last decade. Considering the great increase of chemical procedures, in particular, it seems to be about the time to think of an automation. Among the many varieties of chemical tests, those related to liver functions show the greatest increasing rate. This is highly suggestive of an epidemic of infectious hepatitis probably due to an indiscriminate use of injections. It could be pointed out that those frequently used tests in western societies such as tests related to collagen diseases and endocrine disorders occupy only minor part in Korea, on the other hand, those infrequently used tests in western hospitals such as tests related to chronic infectious diseases, salmonellosis and amoebiaisis are quite frequently used in Korea. Data highly suggestive of the results of an abuse of antibiotics such as aplastic anemias, thrombocytopenias, leukopenias and resistant strains of bacteria are abundantly observed. From the view of decreased infestation rate of parasites, Increased utilization of more complicated procedures and of many other evidences, one could speculate the improvement or Korean medical standard and a better health control, however, it has to be concluded that Korea is still in the era of infectious diseases.