Toxic Substances Control in the 1990s: Are We Poisoning Ourselves with Low-level Exposures?

Are We Over-Drugging Ourselves ?

he repeats the statement in substance, but softens the blow just a little by the qualification that ninetenths of all the bottles of medicine are mere placebos, having none but a psychological effect on their recipients. The doctor's calling is a high one, and he is engaged against powerful opposing forces in a struggle for the existence of his patients. But doctors have to live like lesser mor...

Child-resistant containers: are we kidding ourselves?

A 20-month-old child was accidentally poisoned after biting through the bottom of a medicine container and ingesting the tablets inside. Consequently a study was carried out to determine the force required to fracture 20 randomly selected 25 and 32 ml polystyrene containers to see whether this exceeded the bite force of a child's jaw. Tests were performed at displacement rates of 0.5 and 10 cm/...

Reflection for the undergraduate on writing in the portfolio: where are we now and where are we going?

Introduction: The portfolio can be seen as a tool for assessmentof a variety of learning activities that differ in content, usage, andassessment. The portfolio not only meets the learner’s educationalneeds but also the political and public reassurance demand thatthe health professional has achieved the required competency ofthe curriculum that allows him or her to practice safely with orwithout...

The Stories We Tell Ourselves

THINK BACK TO that tragic scene near the end of James Cameron’s Titanic when, after the ship has sunk, Rose clings to some fl otsam. Her lover, Jack, tries to hang on, only to slip away as hypothermia overcomes him. From a cinematic perspective, Cameron’s storytelling skills were particularly powerful: you could almost feel the frigid water enfold you, and you could easily project yourself into...

Why are we not taking care of ourselves?