THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
Vol. 38, No. 5, pp. 449-467
November, 1962
Copyright © 1962 by The Williams & Wilkins Co.
Printed in U.S.A.
A SYSTEM FOR STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL OF DATA FROM AUTOPSIES
HARRY M. CARPENTER, M.D.
Department of Pathology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest College, and the
Autopsy Laboratory, North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
describing the item are entered on the item
card, either in writing, by coded holes
(punch card system), or by notching of the
card edges. Technics of inverted grouping
use 1 card per term; all items described by
a single term are posted on the term card
by code number or by a meaningfully placed
hole. The sum total of all terms or characteristics is called the system vocabulary,
which is said to be open-ended if new terms
can be added at any time without a rearrangement of the existing system.
This paper will not attempt to discuss
the various types of systems for the storage
and retrieval of data. 5 It will, however,
illustrate the principle of concept coordination by means of autopsy data. This approach to documentation utilizes the technics
of inverted grouping in such a way that all
items having one common term are revealed
by illuminating the term card in question,
and all items having a particular combination of terms in common are revealed by
superimposition of the respective term cards
over a light source. In other words, cases
(items) are entered on the term cards by
means of a hole drilled in a coded position. Concept coordination offers the advantages of a high posting density, an
open-ended vocabulary, and creation of new
concepts by the user, not the indexer, of
data. Although concept coordination has
been used in other sciences and in industry,
the present application is, to our knowledge,
the first involving medical data.
This paper pertains to the description of
a system for finding and using pathology
data quickly. Like all new fields of research
(especially those associated with electronics
and psychology), that of systems for the
storage and retrieval of data has been
building a vocabulary of jargon, and in this
paper an attempt will be made to define
the jargon as it is used. The principles of
documentation herein described will be
illustrated by autopsy data, but they are
equally adaptable to the data of surgical
pathology, exfoliative cytology, clinical pathology, and medicine generally.
Analysis of data requires an efficient
system for processing information. The
system functions as a line of communication
between the recorder and the user of the
data. The original document or record—in
the present case, the autopsy protocol—is
called an item and is usually identified by
the patient's name and a hospital unit
number, or a code number, or both. Each
element of information or data within the
protocol is called a term or characteristic. A
list of terms describing an item is called an
index; the number of terms indexed per
item is referred to as the -posting density.
The science of documentation is principally concerned with how to find efficiently, or to retrieve, all items with 1 or
more common terms. Items and their
terms may be arranged numerically, chronologically, alphabetically, or by classification. In the latter case, items having 1 or
more terms in common are placed in a
common group or category. Conventional
grouping calls for 1 card per item; all terms
Received, February 36, 1962; revision received,
June 7; accepted for publication August 6.
Dr. Carpenter is Assistant Professor of Pathology and Director of the Autopsy Laboratory.
This study was supported by Senior Postdoctoral Fellowship SF-71, National Institutes of
Health, U. S. Public Health Service, Department
of Health, Education, and Welfare.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The autopsy protocol contains the 10
categories of data listed in Table 1.* The
data system is arranged according to the 10
categories listed in Table 2.
The design5 of a data system depends
* In the various tables, the vertical arrows indicate a series of numbers not included in the
table.
449
450
Vol. SS
CARPENTER
TABLE 1
CONTENTS OF AUTOPSY PROTOCOL
1. Clinical history, physical examination, and
hospital course
2. Clinical pathology data
3. Gross descriptions
4. Weights and measurements
5. Provisional anatomic diagnoses
6. Microscopic examination
7. Primary diagnoses
8. Secondary diagnoses
9. Autopsy microbiology and chemistry
10. Miscellaneous data
TABLE 2
MAJOR DIVISIONS OF VOCABULARY OF
DATA SYSTEM
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Identification data
Supplemental clinical data
Vital sign data
Clinical pathology data
Therapy data
Operations performed
Anatomic diagnoses
Weights and measurements
Autopsy microbiology and chemistry
Miscellaneous data
upon decisions as to (1) how to solve the
language problem; (2) how to arrange the
index; (3) how to arrange items, characteristics, and their codes; (4) what type of
data system should be used; and (5) what
manual, mechanical, or electronic methods
should manipulate the system.
The language problem is by far the most
difficult one. Questions of logical class
(viewpoint), generics, syntax, and semantics
often overwhelm the conventional system
that is arranged alphabetically or by classification. The principle of concept coordination permits one largely to by-pass these
problems. Space limitations will not permit
publication here of our entire vocabulary of
approximately 1500 terms. Tables 3 to 9
contain an abbreviated outline of the terms
covered. The numbers in the left-hand
column are for coding; their use will be
described below. The number in parentheses
following each major heading—for example,
Age (34), Sex (3)—refers to the total number of terms included in that group. The
sequence of terms has been devised in the
hope that the reader will be able to imagine
what most of the missing numbers represent.
The latter are indicated by vertical arrows.
VOCABULARY
Under terms of identification (Table 3),
exact age, 1 to 99 years, is indexed; age 14
years is represented by cards 0-BK-01 and
O-BK-14. The exact postmortem interval
is similarly indexed; for example, 18 hr. is
represented by cards 2-BU-57 and 2-BU-68.
Duration of hospital stay, however, is
TABLE 3
IDENTIFICATION
AGE (34)
0-W-00 Premature, neonatal death, less
than 24 hr.
0-W-01 Premature, death 1 day through 1
month
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0-W-03 Term infant, neonatal death, less
than 24 hr.
O-W-04 Term infant, death 1 day through 1
month
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0-BK-00 Age in years, tens 0
0-BK-01 Age in years, tens 1
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O-BK-14 Age in years, units 4
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O-BK-20 Stillbirth, all
O-BK-21 Stillbirth, less than 16 weeks gestation
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SEX (3)
RACE (2)
HOSPITAL SERVICE (8)
O-W-12 Medicine
0-W-13 Medicolegal
1
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DURATION OF HOSPITAL STAY (7)
O-W-20 None
O-W-21 Less than 1 day
O-W-22 1 to 4 days
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POSTMORTEM INTERVAL (14)
2-BU-56 Tens digit, 0
2-BU-57 Tens digit, 1
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2-BU-68 Unit digit, 8
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Nov. 1962
DATA STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
TABLE 4
SUPPLEMENTAL CLINICAL DATA (48)
O-W-30 S UPPLEMENTAL CLINICAL DATA
AVAILABLE
O-W-31 BODY AS A WHOLE DATA
O-W-32 Alcoholism
O-W-33 Diabetes mellitus
1
\
O-W-39 Other body as a whole data
Previous rare disease
Pyrexia (105 F. or above)
Tetany
Drug addiction
O-W-43 SKIN DATA
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O-W-46 MUSCULOSKELETAL DATA
1
1
O-W-50 RESPIRATORY DATA
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O-W-55 CARDIOVASCULAR DATA
O-W-56 Arrhythmia (all types)
0-W-57 Cardiac massage (closed chest)
O-W-58 Cardiac massage (open chest)
O-W-59 Congestive heart failure
0-W-60 Cor pulmonale
0-W-61 Cyanosis
O-W-62 Endocarditis
0-W-63 Hypertensive cardiovascular disease
!
4.
0-W-70 DIGESTIVE DATA
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O-W-75 UROGENITAL DATA
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0-W-80 ENDOCRINE DATA
1
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O-W-85 HEMOLYTOPOIETIC DATA
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O-BK-30 NERVOUS DATA
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1
O-BK-35 SPECIAL SENSE DATA
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O-BK-40 OBSTETRICAL DATA
1
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O-BK-45 PEDIATRIC DATA
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O-BK-55 VITAL SIGN DATA (5)
O-BK-56 Elevation of both systolic and diastolic
pressure (above 150/90)
O-BK-57 Elevation of diastolic pressure alone
(above 90)
O-BK-58 Elevation of systolic pressure alone
(above 150)
O-BK-59 Other vital sign data
J.
1
O-BU-55 THERAPY DATA AVAILABLE (11)
0-BU-56 Antimetabolite
0-BU-57 Hormones (ACTH, androgen, estrogen, corticoid, and so on)
0-BU-60 Radiation therapy (conventional, cobalt, radium)
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0-BU-75 OPERATION PERFORMED (36)
0-BU-76 Abdominoperineal resection
O-BU-77 Adrenalectomy
0-BU-78 Aneurysm resection
J.
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451
indexed according to predetermined intervals; all patients in the hospital 1 to 4
days are posted on card 0-W-22. This scheme
is the result of 1 of many arbitrary decisions
on our part. There is no reason why exact
hospital stay can not be indexed; one would
simply set up a group of cards analogous to
those we use for age or postmortem interval.
The section "Supplemental Clinical Data"
(Table 4) has proved valuable in many
instances; it is also one of the most difficult
sections to set up. In general, we have
tried to index "real" information, that is,
data with some potential anatomic counterpart. For example, under "Digestive Data,"
we do not index nausea, vomiting, and the
myriad of other common, everyday complaints. We do index achlorhydria, clinical
intestinal obstruction, and dysphagia—
characteristics that are somewhat uncommon and fairly definite. As to "Vital Sign
Data" (Table 4), we currently index blood
pressure and a select group of uncommon,
accurately documented findings. Blood
pressure data are of obvious interest to
those members of the department studying
cardiorenal disease.
The situation with respect to "Therapy
Data" is analogous to that of "Supplemental
Clinical Data." We have tried to include
those items that have current anatomic
connotations (Table 4). On the other hand,
laboratory personnel interested in infectious
diseases might very well elect to index
antibiotics by name, dosage, route of administration, and duration of therapy. The
data on therapy and operations have again
proved valuable, not only to the pathology
department, but to our clinical colleagues
as well.
Antemortem clinical pathology data
(Table 5) form a major segment of our
system. We deplore any attempt to divorce
clinical from anatomic pathology, and we
find that this system provides excellent
training in clinical pathology in the autopsy
laboratory. In a matter of seconds we can
determine how many and what kind of
laboratory determinations are being performed on patients with any given disease.
Here again we index by range; for example,
card 0-11-03 contains all patients with
serum albumin values from 4.0 to 4.5 Gm.
452
Vol. SS
CARPENTER
TABLE 5
CLINICAL PATHOLOGY DATA
O-BK-65 BACTERIOLOGY DATA AVAILABLE (26)
O-BK-66 Acid fast bacilli in sputum, measured
(looked for)
O-BK-67 Acid fast bacilli in sputum, positive
O-BK-68 Acid fast bacilli in sputum, negative
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O-R-00 CHEMISTRY DATA AVAILABLE
(77)
O-R-01 Albumin measured
O-R-02 Albumin, less than 4.0 Gm./lOO ml.
0-R-03 Albumin, 4.0 to 4.5 Gm./lOO ml.
O-R-04 Albumin, more than 4.5 Gm./lOO ml.
1
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0-R-S5 CLINICAL MICROSCOPY DATA
AVAILABLE (40)
O-R-86 Bleeding time measured
O-R-87 Bleeding time, up to and including
3 min.
0-R-SS Bleeding time, greater than 3 min.
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0-BU-35 TOXICOLOGY DATA AVAILABLE
0-BU-36 SEROLOGICAL DATA AVAILABLE
(11)
0-BU-37 Antistreptolysin 0 titer measured
0-BU-38 Cold agglutination, measured
O-BU-39 Febrile agglutinins, measured
O-BU-40 Coombs test, performed
O-BU-41 Coombs test, positive
O-BU-42 Coombs test, negative
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0-BU-47 MISCELLANEOUS STUDIES PERFORMED
Serum electrophoresis
Electroencephalogram
Aortogram
Renogram
Renal biopsy
per 100 ml. When this system is expanded
to include all antemortem clinical pathology
data on nonautopsied patients, we will
probably elect to index exact values, as in
the case of heart and lung weights (see
below). The "measured" cards (for example,
0-R-01: albumin measured) are also extremely valuable. The reader should note
that similar "measured," "studied," or
"recorded" cards head every major and
minor subdivision of the system. These
cards often save valuable time by quickly
indicating the specific area that needs or
justifies more intensive study during retrieval of data. The reader should also note
that of the 7 tables (3 to 9) describing the
vocabulary for this autopsy data system, the
first 3 deal with data available before the
autopsy is ever started.
The autopsy data themselves (Tables 6
to 9) are fairly characteristic of most
laboratories. Our major accomplishment is
the fact that the pathologists signing out
cases have agreed to use the diagnostic
terms we list. It matters little what you
TABLE 0
AUTOI'SY DATA
O-G-20 BODY AS A WHOLE DIAGNOSIS
MADE (27)
O-G-21 Abscess of
(excluding lung,
kidney, CNS; see system)
O-G-22 Chemical agents (poisoning), specify:
O-G-23 Congenital and/or heritable diseases
Arachnodactyly
Dwarfism
Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome
Lipochondrodystrophy
(gargoylism;
Hurler's syndrome)
Mongolism
O-G-24 Edema, peripheral
O-G-25 Emphysema of
(interstitial)
: ulceration of
O-G-26 Fistula of
0-G-27 Foreign body of
O-G-28 Gangrene of
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O-G-55 SKIN DISEASES (119)
Acanthosis nigricans
Acne rosacea
Acne varioliformis
Argyria, see BODY AS A WHOLE:
Chemical Agents
Burn, see BODY AS A WHOLE:
Physical Agents
Chromoblastomycosis, see BODY AS
A WHOLE: Infections, Fungi
I
0-G-60 SKIN NEOPLASMS (58)
Adenoma sebaceum (Pringle)
Angiokeratoma (Mibelli)
Apocrine gland nevus
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DIAGNOSIS
O-G-64 MUSCULOSKELETAL
MADE (69)
O-G-65 Developmental anomalies
O-G-66 Fracture, traumatic, exclusive of skull
0-G-67 Fracture, pathologic
O-G-68 Osteoporosis
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Nov. 1962
453
DATA STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
TABLE 7
O-G-75 RESPIRATORY DISEASE DIAGNOSED (62)
O-G-76 Aspiration without accompanying pneumonitis, specify material
Asthma, see Bronchial Asthma
Atelectasis, see Pulmonary Atelectasis
O-G-77 Bronchial asthma
O-G-78 Bronchiectasis, specify distribution
O-G-79 Bronchitis, acute, specify organism or
agent
O-G-80 Bronchitis, chronic, specify organism or
agent
O-G-81 Bronchopneumonia, site and etiology
Edema, see specific site
Emphysema, see Pulmonary Emphysema. For Interstitial Emphysema,
see BODY AS A WHOLE: Emphysema
O-G-82 Glottis, edema
O-G-83 Hemothorax
1
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l-W-45 CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE DIAGNOSED (93)
i
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l-W-98 Myocardial infarct, site(s) and age as
follows:
1-BK-00 Right atrium
l-BK-01 Left atrium
l-BK-02 Right ventricle (free wall)
l-BK-03 Diaphragmatic (inferior half of septum
and immediately adjacent left
ventricle)
l-BK-04 Posterior ("lateral" left ventricle)
l-BK-05 Superior (superior half of septum and
immediately adjacent left ventricle)
l-BK-06 Apical
I-BK-07 Age, less than 24 hr.
l-BK-08 Age, 1 to 3 days
l-BK-09 Age, 4 to 7 days
l-BK-10 Age, 8 to 14 days
1-BK-ll Age, 2 to 6 weeks
l-BK-12 Age, 6 to 12 weeks
l-BK-13 Age, greater than 3 months
l-BK-14 Site and/or age not stated
l-BK-15 Myocardial rupture, site
l-BK-16 Myocardium, miscellaneous diseases,
specify
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l-BK-45 HEMOLYTOPOIETIC DISEASE DIAGNOSED (16)
l-BK-46 Anemia, specify type
l-BK-47 Bone marrow granuloma, specify etiology or typo
l-BK-48 Bone marrow hyperplasia, specify type
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call a finding as long as everyone agrees to
call it the same thing. Diagnosis according
to our system is made first, and then any
synonyms, comments, or descriptive terms
may be added to suit the whims of the
recorder. We have developed a uniformity
of expression by means of providing each
departmental member with a complete
copy of the vocabulary of the system, a
manual that contains 34 single-spaced,
typed pages. After 2 weeks' use of the
manual, the common phraseology is inadvertently memorized, and as time goes
on one refers less and less frequently to the
vocabulary. The tables indicate that synonyms, for example, argyria, burn, and
chromoblastomyosis under, "skin diseases"
(Table 6), are listed in the index, but the
reader is referred to the term actually
coded. Additional tricks of indexing include
the use of 1 card' for several rare conditions
(O-G-23: congenital or heritable diseases, or
both, Table 6), the use of multiple cards to
semiquantitate a morphologic diagnosis
(myocardial infarct, Table 7), the use of 1
card for whole systems (male, female, and
breast disease diagnosed, Table 8), and the
use of a range for the unit figure to record
data with less than exact accuracy (heart
weight, Table 8). In the latter case, all
hearts weighing 150 to 154 Gm. would be
coded by cards 2-W-19, 2-W-21, 2-W-35,
and 2-W-40. Malignant neoplasms occupy a
separate section of the index (Table 9) and
are coded by primary and metastatic sites.
Bronchogenic adenocarcinoma metastatic
to the adrenal gland (s) is coded 2-R-30,
2-11-43, 2-R-44, 2-BK-65, and 2-BK-66.
CODING SYSTEM
Code numbers in the left-hand column of
each division of the vocabulary (Tables 3
to 9) correspond to the numbers of the
cards on which the characteristics are
posted. The system* contains 3 500-card
decks, which are indicated by the first
digit (0, 1, or 2) of the code sequence. Each
deck is composed of 5 color-coded subdecks,
identified as W (white), BK (black), BU
* Jonker Business Machines, Inc., Gaithersburg,
Maryland.
454
CARPENTER
Vol. 88
TABLE 8
l-BK-70
I
l-R-55
I
l-BU-20
l-BU-25
l-BU-30
l-BU-35
i
l-BU-80
I
l-G-25
l-G-30
l-G-35
l-G-40
l-G-41
2-BU-40
2-BU-41
2-BU-42
2-BU-43
2-BU-44
l-G-58
l-G-42
l-G-43
l-G-44
l-G-45
I
2-W-00
2-W-01
2-W-02
i
2-W-19
2-W-20
2-W-21
I
2-W-34
2-W-35
I
2-W-40
2-W-41
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DIGESTIVE DISEASE DIAGNOSED (64)
I
URINARY DISEASE DIAGNOSED (47)
I
MALE GENITAL DISEASE DIAGNOSED
FEMALE GENITAL DISEASE DIAGNOSED
BREAST DISEASE DIAGNOSED
ENDOCRINE DISEASE DIAGNOSED (33)
1
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASE DIAGNOSED (35)
I
SPECIAL SENSE DISEASE DIAGNOSED
OBSTETRICAL DISEASE DIAGNOSED
PEDIATRIC DISEASE DIAGNOSED
AUTOPSY BACTERIOLOGY PERFORMED (67)
Heart's blood culture
Heart's blood culture, 1 organism found
Heart's blood culture, 2 organisms found
Heart's blood culture, 3 organisms found
Heart's blood culture, 4 organisms found
Heart's blood culture, 5 or more organisms found
Heart's blood culture, positive
Aerobacter, Klebsiella
Bacillus species
Corynebacterium
Diplococcus pneumoniae
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BODY AND ORGAN DATA (45)
Body weight measured (patients 21 years of age and older)
Body weight, less than 45 kg.
Body weight, 45.0 to 54.9 kg.
i
Heart weight measured (patients 21 years of age and older)
Heart weight, hundreds 0
Heart weight, hundreds 1
i
Heart weight, tens 4
Heart weight, tens 5
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Heart weight, units 0 to 4
Heart weight, units 5 to 9
I
(blue), R (red), and G (green); each of the
color-coded subdecks contains 100 cards
(00 to 99). Therefore, code number l-BK-69
means deck " 1 , " subdeck "black," and
card "69." Cards are filed by deck and
color. Recently used cards are returned to
the front of the subdeck to which they
belong, and their construction (Fig. 1)
makes pulling any individual or group an
easy task requiring but a few seconds.
INDEXING
Each autopsy is coded upon completion
of final typing of the protocol. A master
code sheet (Fig. 2) containing 1500 numbers
is used to indicate the specific terms of
that case. Overlay cards (Fig. 3) corresponding to each subdivision of the vocabulary are used to align terms with their
code numbers (Fig. 4). The indexer has
Nov. 1962
DATA STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
TABLE 9
2-R-30 MALIGNANT NEOPLASM PRESENT
(99)
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2-R-43 RESPIRATORY NEOPLASMS
2-R-44 Bronchogenic carcinoma, adenocarcinoma
2-R-45 Bronchogenic carcinoma, bronchiolar
2-R-46 Bronchogenic carcinoma, squamous cell
2-R-47 Bronchogenic carcinoma, poorly differentiated
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2-BK-65 TUMOR METASTATIC SITES (59)
2-BK-6G Adrenal
2-BK-67 Aorta
2-BK-68 Appendix
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2-BK-47 MISCELLANEOUS AUTOPSY DATA
2-BK-48 Potential cases for CPC
2-BK-49 Embalmed body
2-BK-50 Photographs available
2-BK-51 Sudden unexplained death
2-BK-52 Two neoplasms present
2-BK-53 Three or more neoplasms present
2-BK-54 Possible new diagnostic entity
2-BK-55 Material inadequate for diagnosis
2-BK-56 Anesthetic death
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455
only to circle whichever number appears
opposite the term he wishes to code.4 AVith
a systematically arranged autopsy protocol
containing 50 to 75 terms to be indexed, the
recorder can complete this coding process in
5 min. or less. The potential user of this
system can, therefore, multiply the average
number of autopsies he completes daily by
5 in order to obtain the number of minutes
required to code all protocols in depth by
means of this technic. Upon completion of
this process, the master code sheet goes to a
secretary who pulls all cards corresponding
to the circled numbers and enters the data.
Inasmuch as the master code sheet serves
only as a means of communication between
the pathologist and the data secretary,
it may either be discarded or filed with the
autopsy protocol after the term cards are
pulled. The reader should note that the
"measured, studied, or recorded" code
number for each subgroup is enclosed in a
box on the original, unmarked master code
sheet (Fig. 2). AVhen any number below
the "measured" number is circled, the
FIG. 1. Autopsy data cards arranged by color and deck. Each card is 95^ in. by 11H in. and contains 10,000 designated positions for 10,000 potential cases.
456
CARPENTER
Vol. 88
1
2
0
W BK R BU G
W BK R BU G
W BK R _ BU | G
0 50 0 500D50 0 50 0 50 0 50 0 50 0 50 0 50 0 50 o|5o| 0 50 0 50 0 50 0 50
1 51 151 151 1 51 151 151 151 1 51 151 1 51 151 1 51 151 151 1 51
2 52 2 52 2 52 2 52 2 52 2 52 2 52 2 52 2 52 2 52 2 52 2 52 2 52 2 52 2 52
3 53 3 53 3 53 3 53 3 53 3 53 3 53 3 53 3 53 3 53 3 53 3 53 3 53 3 53 3 53
It 5h It 51* 1* 51* 1* Sit 1*51* 1,51, 1,51, 1.51* 1*51, 1.51. k H 1.51. 1.51, It 51t 1*51*
s[H s H 5 55 5 d 5 55 5 55 5 55 s d 5 55 5 55 5 55 5 55 5 55 5 55 S 55
6 56 6 56 6 56 6 56 6 56 6 56 6 56 6 56 6 56 6 56 6 56 6 56 6 56 6 56 6 56
7 57 7 57 7 57 7 57 7 57 7 57 7 57 7 57 7 57 7 57 7 57 7 57 7 57 7 57 7 57
8 58 8 58 8 58 8 58 8 58 8 58 8 58 8 58 8 58 8 58 "8158 8 58 8 58 8 58 8 58
9 59 9 59 9 59 9 59 9 59 9 59 9 59 9 59 9 59 9 59 9 59 9 59 9 59 9 59 9 59
10 60 10 60 10 60 10 60 10 60 10 60 10 60 10 60 10 60 10 60 10 60 10 60 10 60 10 60 10 60
11 6111 6111 6111 6111 61 11 6111 6111 6111 6111 61 ii [m 11 6111 6111 611161
12 62 12 62 12 62 12 62 12 62 12 62 12 62 12 62 12 62 12 62 12 62 12 62 12 62 12 62 12 62
13 6313 6313 63 13 6313 63 13 63 13 6313 6313 6313 63 13 6313 6313 63 13 63 13 63
li* 61*11*61* 11*61, lit 61, litdD 11,61. 11,61, 11.61, 11.61* 11.61. U*[6U Hi 61, li.61. U* 61*11.61.
15 65v\M 15 65 15 6515 65 15 65 15 65 15 65 15 65 15 65 15 65 15 [H]15 65 15 65 15 65
16 66 16 66 16 66 16 66 16 66 16 66 16 66 16 66 16 66 16 66 16 66 16 66 16 66 16 66 16 66
17 67 17 67 17 67 17 67 17 67 17 67 17 67 17 67 17 67 17 67 17 [6117 67 17 67 17 67 17 67
18 68 18 68 IB 68 18 68 18 68 18 68 18 68 18 68 18 68 18 68 18 68 18 68 18 68 18 68 18 68
19 69 19 69 19 69 19 69 19 69 19 69 19 69 19 69 19 69 19 69 1? 69 19 69 19 69 19 69 15 69
20 70 20 70 20 70 20 70 20]70 20 70 20 Q5]20 70 20 70 20 70 20 70 20 7020 70 20 70 20 70
21 7121 7121 7121 7121 71 21 7121 7121 7121 7121 71 21 7121 7121 7121 7121 71
22 72 22 72 22 72 22 72 22 72 22 72 22 72 22 72 22 72 22 72 22 72 22 72 22 72 22 72 22 72
23 7323 7323 7323 73 23 73 23 73 23 7323 7323 73 23 73 23 7323 73 23 7323 73 23 73
21 71*21.71. 21* 71.2U71, 21. 71. 2lt 7lt 21, 71*21, 71.21* 7lt21. 71. 21t 71*21, 71,2lt 7lt 21 71,21, 71*
25 7525 75 25 7525 EH25 02 25 75'25 75 25 75 25 75 25 75 25 75 25 75 25 75 25 75 25 75
26 7626 76 26 76 26 76 26 76 26 76 26 7626 76 26 7626 76 26 QH26 7626 76 26 7626 76
27 77 27 77 27 77 27 77 27 77 27 77 27 77 27 77 27 77 27 77 27 77 27 77 27 77 27 77 27 77
28 78 28 78 28 78 28 78 28 78 28 78 28 78 28 7828 78 28 78 28 78 28 78 28 78 28 78 28 78
29 79 29 79 29 79 29 79 29 79 29 79 29 79 29 79 29 7929 79 29 7929 7929 79 29 7929 79
fjo]80 30 80 30 8030 80 30 80 30 80 30 80 30 8030 [8030 80 30 [U 30 80 i|80 30 8030 80
31 8131 8131 8131 8131 81 31 8131 8131 8131 8131 81 31 8131 8131 8131 8131 81
32 82 32 82 32 82 32 82 32 82 32 82 32 82 32 82 32 82 32 82 32 82 32 82 32 82 32 82 32 82
33 8333 8333 8333 83 33 83 33 83 33 8333 83 33 8333 83 33 8333 8333 83 33 83 33 83
31* 8L3U 81.31* 81*3lt 81t 3lt 81, 31,81, 31* Bit31. 81*3J.81, 31* 81, 31, 8h D81* 31,81, 3U 8lt31*81,
35 US35 85 35[M3i,85 35 85 35 8535 85 35 85 iJss 35 85 3SUL5J35 85 35 85 35 85 35 85
36 86 36 8636 86 26J86 36 86 36 86 36 8636 86 36 86 36 86 36 86 36 8636 86 36 8636 86
37 87 37 87 37 87 37.87 37 87 37 87 37 87 37 87 37 87 37 87 37 87 37 87 37 8737 87 37 87
38 88 38 88 38 8838 88 38 88 38 88 38 8838 88 38 88 38 88 38 88 J8]88 38 88 38 88 38 88
39 89 39 89 39 89 39 89 39 89 39 89 39 89 39 89 39 8939 89 39 89 39 89 39 89 39 8939 89
1*0 901*0 901*0 90ItO 901,0 90 1,0 90 1,0 90 1*0 901,0 90 090 1,0 90 1,0 901.0 90 12)90 1*0 90
1*1 911,1 91
1*1 911*1 911*1 911*1 911*1 91 1*1 911*1 911*1 911*1 911.1 91,1,1 91 l*W91
1*2 921*2 921*2 921*2 921*2 92 1*2 921,2 92 12 92 1*2 921.2 92 lk2J92 1*2 921.1 911,2 92 1*2 92
1.23 92
1*3 931.3 93 1*3 931*3 93lt3 93 1,3 931,3 93 1*3 931*3 931,3 93 1*3,23. k!93 1,
93 1*3 931*3 93
1*1, 91*ijL 91* kh 91*Ut 91*1*1* 9l» UU9I, UL9I» lilt 91*U*9l* 1*1.91. wuHk M 91. U.91* Itit 9lt 1*1*91*
15 95 i*5]95 1.5 95 1.5 95US 95 E395 095 1*5 951.5 951.5 95 J*5_,95 1*5 95ItS 951.5 951*5 95
1*6 961*6 °61.6 96 1*6 96W 96 1*6 961,6 96 1*6 96lt6 96 1.6 96 0^96 !*696 1*6 961*6 961*6 96
1*7 971*7 971.7 971*7 971,7 97 1*7 971,7 97 1*7 971.7 97 1,7 97 lt7 97 !*JJ97 lt7 97 1*7 971*7 97
1*8 981*8 981.8 981*8 981,8 98 1*8 981*8 981*8 981.8 981*8 98 1*8 98EB98 lt8 98 1*8 981,8 98
1*9 991*9 991*9 991*9 991,9 99 1*9 991*9 991*9 991*9 991,9 99 lt9 99 1*9 991*9 991*9 991*9 99
FIG. 2. Master code sheet containing the key to 1500 numbers divided into 3 decks
(0, 1, and 2), each of which contains 5 color-coded subdecks (W, BK, R, BU, and G)
with 100 cards per subdeck. The 1500 code numbers correspond to the 1500 cards of
Figure 1. The "measured" numbers (see the text) are enclosed in boxes.
secretary knows that she is to pull the
"measured" card for that bit of data.
With this approach to indexing, the
pathologist concerns himself with locations
on the master sheet; he is never required to
translate diagnoses into code numbers.
Similarly, the secretary entering the data
deals only with code numbers and need
never learn, pronounce, or become confused
by medical terms. The pack of overlay
cards is arranged by subject in the same
sequence as the final autopsy protocol. The
indexer turns through the overlay cards as
he turns through the protocol and matches
Nov. 1962
DATA STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
457
Oritur/ Bladder &>pci trophy
, Urinary Bladder Papilloma (benign)
, Urinary Tract Polyp
Urinary Tract DlTertlcula
. Urinary Tract fistula
' Urinary Tract Foreign Body
Urinary Tract Stricture
. Urethral Caruncle
' Urethritis, acute
Urethritis, chronic
p
Other Urinary Disease
URINART DISUSES DIAOHOSH)
Cystitis, acute —————
Cystitis, ofaronie ^—^———
Olomsrulonepnritis, food embolic '
Glomerulonephritis, acute 4 ehronlo •
Hydronephrosis —^————
Hydroureter —^^—-^——^^
Interoapillary Glomerulosclerosis <
Hephritis, interstitial
nephrosclerosis, arterial ——
Nephrosclerosis, arteriolar
Nephrosis, chenloal
Nephrosis, lipid —————
Neurogenic Urinary Bladder '
Pyelonephritis ————
Pyelonephroais —————
Renal Abscess — — - ^ —
Renal Adenona —————
Renal Agenesis ~————^——
Renal Atrophy ————^————
Renal BenignttlxedMesodermal Tuacr '
Renal Caloifloation
Renal Calculi
Renal Cortical necrosis
Renal Cyst(s), simple — —
Renal Focal Tubular Neorosls Renal Hamartoma — — ^ —
Renal Hyperesda —
Renal hypertrophy •
Renal Infarct(a)—
Renal Necrotislng Papillitis Renal Polycystic Disease
Renal Trauma, type •
Renal Urate Deposits — —
Ureteral Papilloma (benign) '
Ureteritis ———————
FIG. 3. Overlay coding form for diseases of the urinary system
cards with the characteristics that appear.
For example, all 77 bits of clinical chemistry
data are handled by 1 overlay card, and the
data for that particular case appear on 1
certain page of our autopsy protocol. If,
for example, one wants to code "albumin
4.0 to 4.5 Gra. per 100 ml.," the clinical
chemistry overlay card is placed on top of
the master code sheet and the number (03)
opposite this term is circled. This code number is really O-R-03 (Table 5). If the next
term is "hydronephrosis," the urinary system overlay card (Fig. 3) is placed on top of
the master code sheet (Fig. 2) as indicated
in Figure 4, and the number opposite
hydronephrosis (60) is circled. This number
is actually l-R-60.
DATA INPUT AND RETRIEVAL
Each characteristic card contains 10,000
designated positions that can best be
visualized by the use of a transparent
overlay (Fig. 5). The abscissa and ordinate
are each numbered 00 to 99; therefore, the
hole location for an individual autopsy has
a 4-digit code number.
Data for any given autopsy is entered by
drilling a hole through the characteristic
cards describing that case in the position
corresponding to the code number of the
case. When the cards describing that case
are superimposed over a light source, light
will shine through the coincident holes in a
location corresponding to the code number
of that case—hence the name "peek-a-boo"
system (Fig. 6). The average autopsy is
described by 50 to 75 term cards. Inasmuch
as approximately 25 cards are drilled at a
time, it requires approximately 1 min. to
enter all data from 1 case.
Holes are entered with a drill (Jonker
No. 301) mounted on a movable carriage
458
Vol. 88
CARPENTER
URIHART DISEASE DIAOHOSH) •
Cyatitia, acute
•————
Cyatitia, chronle — — — — —
Qlonerulonephritia,
Olomerulonephritie,
Hydronepbroala — ^ — — — — — ~ ~
Hydroureter
— — — — — — — —
Intercapillary Glomerulosclerosis
Nephrltia, Interstitial
Hephroacleroaia, arterial ~ — ' —
Haphroaelaroala, arteriolar
— —
nephrosis, chemical
Nephroala, lipid
— — — ^ —
neurogenic Urinary Bladder
— — —
Pyelonephritia
— — — — — — — —
Pyelonophroaia
———————^—
0—
1 —
2—
Urinary Bladder Hypertrophy
U r i n a r y Bladder Papilloma (benign)
U r i n a r y T r a c t Polyp
3 —
I, —
Urinary T r a c t Dirortieula
U r i n a r y T r a c t Fistula
• |55 5 —
56 6 —
57
7—
8
o ——
60 10
61
• 62
' 63
61*
' 65
66
' 67
' 68
' 69
• 70
' 71
58
focal embolic
acutefcchronle — 59
Urinary Tract Foreign B o d y
Urinary Traet Stricture
Urethral Caruncle
Urethritis, acute
Urethritis, chronle
Other U r i n a r y Diseaae
Renal Abaeesa ——'—~~~~~~~"^~~~~
, ?2
Henal Adenoma ——"~"~"~~—~~~~~~~
Renal Ageneals —————^—— ' 73
Renal Atrophy -———~——— ' 7l»
Renal Benign Mixed Heeodermal
Tumor ' • 7 5
Renal Calolf leatlon —————— • 76
Renal Caleall — — — — — — • 77
Renal Cortical Raeroaia ———^— ' 78
Renal Cyat(a), almple ————— • 79
Renal Focal Tubular Necrosis — — • 8 0
Renal Hamartoma ————^—^—— • 8 1
Renal Hyperemia —
• 82
Renal Hypertrophy •
•83
Renal Infarct(e)—
•81,
Renal Necrotlilng Paplllltle
• 85
Renal Polycystic Dlaeaae
• 86
' 87
Renal Trauma, type •
Renal Urate Depoalte — —
' 88
Ureteral Papilloma (benign) <
• 89
Ureteritis
• 90
FIG. 4. Figure 3 superimposed on Figure 2. The indexer circles the number opposite the characteristic to be entered in the system.
that can be accurately positioned over any is no need to arrange them according to
1 of the 10,000 positions (Fig. 7). Two number. The random access feature of this
hand cranks are turned to move the drill file allows one to pull a card almost as fast
along the abscissa and ordinate. Once the as the hand and eye can travel. In fact, one
correct position has been reached and cards can pull cards faster when they are ranhave been stacked beneath the drill, the domly filed. The entire scale of 100 numbers
mechanism is activated by depressing a foot (Fig. 1) is printed along the top of each
pedal. The machine has several built-in card, and the actual number of that card
safety devices that prevent errors. If, how- is printed on a small tab. One simply looks
ever, one drills the wrong hole in spite of along the top edge of the first card (Fig. 1,
these safety features, the hole can be filled first left subdeck) to locate the position of,
with a paste composed of the same plastic for instance, card 46, and then straight back
from which the cards are made. The paste to the tab marked 6. In this example (Fig.
blends with the card material to obliterate 1, first left subdeck), the reader should be
the hole and dries quickly. On completion able to spot cards 0-W-22, 0-W-38, and
of the drilling process, the cards are re- 0-W-75 quickly, even though they are
turned to the file by deck and color. Re- among many others.
cently used cards are dropped at the front
When one wants to know how many cases
of each color-coded subdeck, and there of any diagnostic entity, for instance, hy-
Nov. 1962
DATA STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
00
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
30
U0
50
60
70
80
90
|Tnr|Y|iTniTi|Timn^
00
10
20
JO«««H» W S M S (MCHtNCS INCOOTORATLD - Tt«*tATBE*
SYSTEMS
FIG. 5. Transparent grid used for readout of case code numbers
pertensive cardiovascular disease, are
present in the system, the coding card is
illuminated and the holes are counted. Illumination is performed with a view box
(Fig. 7) very much like an x-ray film viewer,
with the exception that there are guides
along the edges to keep the cards properly
aligned. If one needs to know which, rather
than how many, autopsies contain the
diagnosis "hypertensive cardiovascular disease," the same card is covered by the
transparent grid and hole locations are read
directly (Fig. 8). The equipment required
for input and retrieval of data, therefore,
consists of a drill and a view box accurately
machined to allow precise alignment of
10,000 small holes.
With this method of input and retrieval
of data, many of the unique advantages of
concept coordination become readily apparent.
1. Each time one asks a question, only
the cards answering that question are
searched (Figs. 9 to 12); one need never
search the entire system as in the older
technics of arranging alphabetically or by
classification.
2. Any concept involving any permutation of the 1500 cards (in our system) can
readily be explored. The number and range
of possible concepts is dictated only by the
number of characteristics in the system and
the imagination of the user of the data.
Hence, the user is not at the mercy of the
"system" as in indexing by classification.
3. Questions of considerable complexity
can be answered in minutes. I t is perfectly
feasible for the author to "hold the phone"
while the data secretary determines, for
example, how many fourth decade male
patients on the medical service, hospital
stay 5 to 9 days, postmortem interval 6 hr.,
with bronchopneumonia and splenomegaly,
serum globulins less than 1.3 Gra. per 100
460
Vol. 38
CARPENTER
9lIl«j«JI»0ilJ')»'l»oi?l'i«>t«0ll
10
20
l'011]4StI|t0l]t<llll4tl!
30
40
50
60
BeoWj4Sa7S°EI33.16'l»01Ij»"*7l»
70
80
90 "i "-'
TERMATREX SYSTEM
Hypartonaive Cardiovascular Disease
1 <
2 <
3<
4<
5<
6 <
7 <
8 <
9 <
10 <
U <
12 <
13 <
H<
15 <
16 <
17<
18 <
19 <
20 <
21 <
22 <
23 <
24 <
25 <
FIG. 6. Card O-W-63 containing 128 cases with the clinical diagnosis (Supplemental Clinical Data, Table 4) "Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease."
ml., leukopenia (less than 3000 cells per
cu. mm.), had a positive heart's blood
culture for Pseudomonas and received
antimetabolite therapy for poorly differentiated granulocytic leukemia.
Complex frequency functions and trends
in linear correlation can be determined
quickly, and the data secretary can determine the answers to multiple questions
without the slightest knowledge of pathology
per se or of medicine in general.
4. New characteristics can be added at
any time without revising the entire vocabulary. This feature is made possible by
the fact that code numbers are not made to
conform to any predetermined sequence. For
example, if under "Hemolytopoietic Disease
Diagnosed" (Table 7), we wished to add
"Bone marrow aplasia," the next unused
code number at the end of the vocabulary
would be assigned. This code number might
be 2-G-87, and it would make absolutely
no difference that all other hemolytopoietic
numbers are in the l-BK-45 range. The
term "Bone marrow aplasia" would appear
in the vocabulary between "Anemia, specify
type" and "Bone marrow granuloma,
specify etiology or type" (Table 7), but
inasmuch as the data secretary pulls cards
by deck, it makes little difference whether
she goes to l-BK or 2-G. Likewise, the
pathologist indexing the case is not con-
Nov. 1962
DATA STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
cerned with the sequence of code numbers,
inasmuch as he marks a location by the
appropriate master code sheet overlay.
5. A natural result of paragraph 4 is
that any number of specialized systems can
be quickly designed for specific projects.
The individual pathologist, in reviewing
possibly 200 cases of pulmonary emphysema,
may elect to devise additional term cards
to handle data he collects, data that are not
routinely entered on every case. The system
functions with great efficiency in this
regard with respect to quantitative data.
6. The cost of the system per case
decreases as the number of cases indexed
increases until all 10,000 designated positions are used. This is in contrast to those
systems in which all data on 1 case are entered
on 1 card, a situation in which one needs a
new card for each new case. The inverted
461
system of concept coordination also has the
additional feature of compactness; the
physical size of the decks increases only
slightly during the indexing of each group
of 10,000 cases.
7. Logical sums and differences can be
determined by the use of suitable photographic technics. If, for example, one wants
to know how many cases represent all ages
but the second decade, each decade card
except the second would be exposed to a
single photographic emulsion. With exposure of each card, the holes on that card
would be added to those already photographed. In this particular example, the
second decade cases would be subtracted
from the remainder of the system.
8. The system can be expanded without
limit in increments of 10,000 cases. The
laboratory performing 2000 autopsies per
FIG. 7. Termatrex equipment consisting of illuminated view box (Jonker 51) on left, drill (Jonker 301)
in center of picture, and Termatrex cards in card holder on right side of desk.
462
Vol. 88
CARPENTER
Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease
FIG. 8. Figure 5 superimposed on Figure 6 for readout of case code numbers, The
case farthest to the left is No. 5181.
year would duplicate the system every 5
years, and one performing only 200 autopsies
per year would require 50 years to exhaust
the first set of cards. In addition, the entire
system can be put in miniature form on
microfilm; a 4-in. strip of microfilm holds
100,000 cases, or 400,000 cases occupy the
space of 1 file card measuring 3 by 5 in. AVhen
the system is put on microfilm, data are read
with the aid of a microfilm viewer (Minimatrex System).
9. Equipment is available for electronic
readout of the larger, more sophisticated
system. Electronic scanning of either fullsize or microfilm images yields the total
number of holes (cases) present in a matter
of seconds. With additional equipment, the
electronic readout circuits also provide a
typed list of case code numbers (hole locations) .
10. Electronic readout coupled with paper
or magnetic tape machines, or both, provides direct communication between the
data system and any desired computer
operation.
APPLICATIONS
The following list contains but a few of
the many potential applications available
to the user of an efficient system for storage
and retrieval of data.
1. Decisions can be based on fact; it is
no longer necessary to rely on memory.
In our own experience, many characteristics
Nov. 1962
463
DATA STORAGE AND EETEIEVAL
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
'e>o>))<9«rieoi!!*)6rif
80
90 '-' "•">
TEHMATREX SYSTEM
1 <
2 <
3 <
4 <
5 <
6 <
7 <
8 <
9<
10 <
13 <
14<
15 <
16 '
19 <
20 <
21 <
22 <
23 <
24 <
25 <
FIG. 9. Card 0-W-10 with all cases of the "white" race; there are 1990 such
cases.
thought to be either common or rare have
proved to be just the opposite.
2. Data are immediately available for any
purpose. If during the actual performance
of an autopsy, the pathologist wishes to
know what past experience has been in regard to any particular finding, he has only
to call the data secretary to get the answer.
We find this feature of value in complementing previous studies.
3. Because the system makes data available during the course of an autopsy, it
becomes eminently practical to devise new
technics or approaches at a time when they
must either be considered or forever lost in
the particular case.
4. The data system promotes continued
re-evaluation of diagnostic criteria and
provides means by which new criteria can
be developed.
5. Data are readily available for clinical
seminars, death conferences, and clinicopathologic conferences. For example, we
need never wonder how many cases of
bronchopneumonia have been diagnosed in
which Alcaligenes faecalis was cultured from
the lung.
6. Material for clinicopathologic research
projects is always available for the senior
staff, the residents, or medical students.
Clinical research problems may originate
through use of the autopsy data system
simply because answers are so easy to come
by.
4.64
Vol. 38
CARPENTER
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90 " '
7ERMATREX SYSTEM
Hyp«rt«nsivo Cardiovascular Dlaeaae
1 <
2 <
3 <
4 <
5 <
6 <
7 <
8 <
9 <
10 <
11 <
12 <
13 <
14<
15 <
16 <
!7<
IS <
19 <
20 <
21 <
22 <
23 <
24 <
25 <
FIG. 10. Cards O-W-10 and O-W-63 superimposed to reveal all white patients
with hypertensive cardiovascular disease (125 cases).
7. We are able to evaluate the literature
in terms of our own experience and to
determine those areas in Avhich there is
either agreement or disagreement.
8. We hopefully look to the day when a
common system will be developed. Microfilming technics make it economically
feasible for laboratories to exchange or to
lend entire systems. Centralized data centers
could broaden our experience by indicating
areas in need of further investigation, institutions particularly suited for specific
studies, and formats for developing cooperative studies in a variety of situations.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
The author has attempted to point out
the unique values of a system for storage
and retrieval of data based on the principle
of concept coordination. Pathology suffers
a certain current disillusionment,6 and we
must be the first to confess that too often
in the past we have allowed ourselves to
become the keepers of a great storehouse of
worthless information—worthless because
there has been no efficient way to retrieve
and correlate the data. 8 Eloquent pleas1"3
should make it readily apparent that we
can no longer tolerate a static situation.
Nov. 1962
4.65
DATA STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
TERMATREX SYSTEl
Cerebral Hemorrhage, Spontaneous, site(a)
3<
*<
5<
6<
7<
8 <
•><
10 <
11 <
12 <
13 <
U<
15 <
16 <
17<
18 <
19 <
20 <
21 <
22 <
23 <
2<<
25 <
FIG. 11. Cards 0-W-10, O-W-63, and l-BU-88 superimposed for a readout of
all white patients with both hypertensive cardiovascular disease and spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage (24 cases).
Science can not advance if scientists can
not communicate.
Concept coordination offers an economically feasible method of quickly evaluating
past experience. In our system, containing
slightly more than 2000 autopsies represented by more than 100,000 individual bits
of data, any concept involving any combination of terms can be explored in a matter
of seconds. This kind of evaluation will lead
to new technics and new knowledge. The
autopsy will always have a fundamental
basis in morphology, but the newer technics
of biophysics and biochemistry must be
used to complement the anatomic approach.7
The latter technics can best be selected after
a critical appraisal of currently available
data.
The data system herein described has
been in use for 2 years, and we have yet to
encounter any major or minor operational
difficulty. Current input of data requires
approximately 20 min. daily on the part of
1 secretary with our present annual volume
466
Vol 38
CARPENTER
TERMATHEX SYSTEM
Cerebral. Herniation, aite(a)
'<
2<
3<
<<
5<
6<
7<
8<
9<
10 <
11 <
12 <
13 <
14<
15 <
16 <
"<
18 <
19 <
20 <
21 <
22 <
23 <
24 <
25 <
FIG. 12. Cards O-W-10, O-W-63, l-BU-88, and l-BU-89 superimposed for a
readout of the number of white patients with hypertensive cardiovascular disease, spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage, and cerebral herniation (1 case).
of 400 autopsies. As previously stated, the
coding procedure requires approximately 5
min. per case. If the system seems to be
cumbersome or complex, the author alone is
at fault in having given an inadequate
description. Simplicity, versatility, and
flexibility are inherent features of both the
basic principles and the equipment used to
store and retrieve data by concept coordination.
Flexibility is certainly the most conspicuous attribute of this system. The entire
operation is performed in the surface area of
an office desk (Fig. 7). We are completely
independent of such external factors as
rental fees, maintenance contracts, and
large quantities of consumable supplies.
The system is programed for retrieval by
the pathologist. We do not require data
consultants, complex machinery, or highly
trained personnel. There is no lag time when
one desires to start a new data search program. The user of the system can ask new
questions as they occur to him; he does not
depend on the availability of other people or
equipment, and he does not have to design
a formal search program or anticipate every
question before he begins the search. Inasmuch as retrieval is effected by the man
actually using the data, he can often detect
NOV. 1962
DATA STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
significant patterns or results that would be
missed by a machine or even a knowledgeable secretary. In terms of efficiency,
flexibility, availability, cost, and operating
time, concept coordination offers the average
laboratory a system more powerful in some
respects than a digital computer.
SUMMARIO IN INTERLINGUA
Es describite un simple e efficace systema
pro le magasinage e retrovage de datos necroptic que non depende de complexe e
costose apparatos electronic, que pote esser
mantenite al costo de bassissime expensas in
tempore e material, e que pote esser consulate post pauc explication initiatori per
non importa qui con respecto a non importa
qual question statistic o casuistic. Le presentation se ocupa specificamente de datos
necroptic, sed le systema pote esser applicate
a non importa qual altere area de documentation.
Le characteristica distinctive del systema
es le "coordination de conceptos." In le
forma hie describite, le systema labora con
1500 conceptos de interesse necroptic. Le
selection e classification de iste conceptos
es describite. Lor numero pote esser augmentate.
II existe in le systema pro omne concepto
individual un carta particular. Omne carta
individual (in le serie de 1500) exhibi 10.000
micre circulos (in precisemente identic sitos
in omne casos), correspondente al numeros
1 a 10.000 e facilemente identificabile per
medio del numeration ab 1 a 100 in le ordinata e in le coordinata.
Omne protocollo individual de un caso
necropsiate es identificate per un numero
currente. Pro adder un nove caso al magasin
de documentation, le conceptos (ex le serie
del 1500) que characterisa ille caso es listate,
e le correspondente cartas es perforate in le
circulo correspondente al numero currente
del caso. Le perforation debe esser executate
meticulosissimemente. Un machina es disponibile pro iste objectivo, permittente
le perforation de usque a 25 o 30 cartas in un
sol operation. Le 1500 cartas (correspondente al 1500 conceptos) es preservate secundo un ordine predeterminate a fixe.
467
In consultar le systema {i.e., le. magasin
de documentation), le sequente situationes
es typic:
1. Le question es, quante (e/o qual) casos
characterisate per un concepto particular es
a trovar in le archivos. Le carta pro le concepto es scrutinate. Le numero de perforationes in illo indica le numero del casos
characterisate per le concepto in question,
e proque omne perforation corresponde a un
protocollo individual, omne le protocollos
mentionante le concepto in question pote
esser trovate in le archivos.
2. Le question es, qual (e quante) casos
es a trovar in le archivos, exhibiente un
certe (simple o complexe) combination de
conceptos. Le cartas pro le conceptos individual in le desirate combination es superimponite. Le integre combination de conceptos se trovara in le casos le perforationes
del quales passa per le complete cumulo de
cartas.
Altere applicationes pote esser imaginate a
base de iste exemplos. Le systema es fiexibile
e, plus importante, multo prompte e multo
simple.
Acknowledgments. The author gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Jo Eaddy Maready
and Dr. Modesto Scharyj of this department and
of Glenn R. Johnson of Jonker Business Machines,
Inc.
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