[Causes of death in road traffic injuries. A comparison between 1970 and 1976 (author's transl)].

Despite an increase in road traffic, the number of those injured in the Canton of Geneva decreased by 37 p. 100 in 1976 compared with 1970, but the number of deaths in the Hospital was the same. The death rate has therefore increased. The authors have studied the reason for this increased rate in relation to age, sex and cause of death. The number of deaths from cardio-pulmonary insufficiency had decreased but the number resulting from infection had increased dramatically. The severity of lesions was measured using the Injury Severity Score of Baker. There was a close relation between the I.S.S. and mortality. This study has led to the establishment of a more accurate prognosis.