Friday Fact!
(Updated every weekend)
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Anthrax is a
contagious disease of warm-blooded animals, including humans, caused by the bacterium
Bacillus anthracis. One of the oldest known diseases, it was once epidemic and still
appears in many world areas, but only sporadically in the western and southern United
States.
Bacillus anthracis (Anthrax) is highly lethal and a preferred biological warfare agent
because of its toxicity. More than 100 million lethal doses per gram are possible which
makes the substance 100,000 times deadlier than the deadliest chemical warfare agent. The
substance is invisible when airborne and when inhaled is almost always fatal. It can
easily be “weaponized” as it is extremely stable and can be stored indefinitely
as a dry powder.
Initial symptoms for inhalation of anthrax are generally non-specific and occur after a 1
to 6 day incubation period. They include a low grade fever, a dry hacking cough, and
weakness. The person may briefly improve after 2 to 4 days; however within 24 hours after
this brief improvement,
respiratory distress occurs with shock and death following shortly thereafter. Treatment
includes antibiotics if started before any symptoms occur. An FDA approved vaccination
exists but must be
administered before exposure to the weapon.
Sources: Microsoft Encarta ’96 and www.defenselink.mil/other_info/agent.html
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Word of The Week
ABNEGATE – ab-ne-gate – Transitive verb
To deny oneself things; to reject; to renounce.
Sally abnegated desserts for one month after getting on the scale.
President Andrew
Johnson assumed office immediately after the end of the Civil War. He favored a moderate
reconstruction policy toward the South. The radical Republicans who controlled the
Congress, advocated a harsher policy. The result was an unprecedented dissension between
the executive and legislative branches of government. Congress passed the constitutionally
questionable Tenure of Office Act, which limited the powers of the president. Mr. Johnson
deliberately defied the act as he believed it to be unconstitutional and the House of
Representatives impeached him. President Johnson was acquitted by one vote in the Senate
in early 1868.
Source: The Random House Encyclopedia and Microsoft Encarta ’96
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Word of The Week
EXCULPATE – ex-cul-pate - Transitive Verb
EXCULPATORY – ex-cul-pat-ory – Adjective
: to clear from alleged fault or guilt
: tending or serving to exculpate
The Congressional Committee heard little exculpatory evidence from the
President’s lawyers.
Neurotransmitters are
chemical substances released by nerves that are responsible for the transmission of
electrical impulses throughout the brain. Although there are numerous neurotransmitters,
one in particular, serotonin, has been shown to play a critical role in maintaining
emotional balance and as a cause of depression.
Drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft and the natural herb St. Johns Wort are known as serotonin
reuptake inhibitors. The drugs work to increase the amount of available serotonin that can
transfer nerve impulses throughout the brain. Low levels of serotonin and reduced nerve
activity are belived to be a cause of depression. Low serotonin levels also have been
proven to cause obesity. The drugs Fen-phen, Redux and Meridia all work to control levels
of serotonin. Meridia is a reuptake inhibitor while the other two drugs increase the
natural production of serotonin.
Sources: www.lilly.com and www.pharminfo.com
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Word of The Week
INCULCATE - (in-cul-cate) - Transitive Verb
To teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions
The purpose of the yearly Italian festival was to inculcate and preserve their heritage
within the community.
The Yo-Yo originated
as a weapon in the Philippine Islands in the sixteenth century. It weighed 4 pounds and
had a 20 foot cord. Louis Marx, the toymaker, introduced it to America in 1929.
*************
Henry Ford did not invent the assembly line process as often supposed. Over a hundred
years earlier, Eli Whitney, more famous for his invention of the cotton gin, applied these
techniques in fulfilling a U. S. government contract for muskets in 1798.
Sources: Isaac Asimov’s Book of Facts and 2001 Fascinating Facts by David Louis
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Word of The Week
ALLEGORY – (al-le-go-ry) – Noun
1 : the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or
generalizations about human existence; also : an instance (as in a story or painting) of
such expression
2 : a symbolic representation
The book “Animal Farm” by George Orwell is full of allegories.
The order of The
Purple Heart is the oldest American decoration for military merit. George Washington
originally established it in 1782. The original decoration, known as the Badge for
Military Merit, consisted of a purple heart-shaped piece of silk, edged with a narrow
binding of silver, and with the word merit stitched across the face in silver. General
Douglas McArthur revived the decoration in 1931 in an effort to celebrate the bicentennial
of George Washington’s birth. The award was
redesigned as a heart-shaped medal with a center of purple enamel and a border and relief
bust of Washington in gold color. On the reverse is the inscription “For Military
Merit,” with the decorated person's name engraved beneath.
The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been killed or
wounded in action against an enemy. It may also be awarded for maltreatment endured while
a prisoner of war and to any civilian national of the United States killed or wounded
while serving under competent authority in any capacity with an armed force. Civilians
wounded or killed as a result of "an international terrorist attack." May also
be awarded the Purple Heart.
Source: Microsoft Encarta and www.purpleheart.org
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Word of The Week
COMMONSENSICAL – (com-mon-sen-si-cal) – Adjective
1 : the unreflective opinions of ordinary people
2 : sound and prudent but often unsophisticated judgment
The janitor offered some commonsensical advice to the CEO about the way the company was
being run.
The term
“gay” synonymous today with “homosexual,” dates back to thirteenth
century France, when gai referred to the “cult of courtly love” that is,
homosexual love and a “lover” was a gaiol. Troubadour poetry of that period
explicitly discusses this “cult” love. In the following centuries the word was
appropriated to describe first a prostitute, then any social undesirable, and lastly, in a
homophobic British culture, to describe both homosexuality and the homosexual himself. Its
first public use in the United States (aside from pornographic movies) was in a 1939
Hollywood comedy, Bringing Up Baby, when Cary Grant, sporting a dress, exclaimed that he
had “gone gay.”
Source: Panati’s Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things by Charles
Panati
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Word of The Week
JEJUNE – (juh-JOON) - Adjective
1: Dull
2: Lacking in nutrition
3: Childish.
Frank was quite upset about having to attend another jejune staff meeting.
A female mosquito
will usually rest on all six legs for at least a minute or so before starting to bite. The
insertion of her lancets into a juicy capillary usually takes about another minute..
(males do not bite) Most people never feel the bite nor the presence of the bug but rather
what is left behind. The mosquito injects its saliva (the source of many transmitted
diseases), which acts as an anticoagulant as well as an anesthetic. After gorging on a
feast of blood the insect flies off and lays her eggs in water. Shortly after the bite the
anesthetic effect wears off and in most people an itchy, allergic reaction follows.
Unfortunately, there are about 2000 known species of the rotten little bugs. They are
found from pole to pole and are most prevalent in warmer climates.
Source: Microsoft Encarta ‘96
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Word Of the Week
CONCERTED – (con-cer-ted) – Adjective
1 a : mutually contrived or agreed on b : performed in unison
The man and his wife made a concerted effort to convince the loan officer to approve the
loan.
Dachshund is the
modern name for one of the oldest dog breeds in history. The breed dates back to ancient
Egypt. In German Dachs means “badger”, hund is “hound”. Centuries ago
badger hunting was a popular sport and the breed was used extensively in the activity.
**********
The Phrase “best man” is of Scottish origin and recalls the days when a
bridegroom simply kidnapped the woman he wanted as a bride. To help him in that task the
groom enlisted a cadre of friends. The toughest and bravest of these groomsmen was the
best man.
Sources: The Book of Answers by Barbara Berliner and the New York Public Library
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Word of The Week
CATHARSIS – (ca-thar-sis) – Noun
1 : Purgation (of the digestive system)
2 a : purification or purgation of the emotions (as pity and fear) primarily through art
2 b : a purification or purgation that brings about spiritual renewal or release from
tension
3 : elimination of a complex by bringing it to consciousness and affording it expression
Jean experienced a catharsis at his wedding when he said “I do” to his wife.
Yes….I am referring to definition 2b not definition 1……. LOL
The United States
gained control of the Panama Canal because it learned to eradicate a disease. During the
construction of the canal, yellow fever was so prevalent that the French builders were
forced to offer extremely high wages to induce men to work there. After spending $260
million and losing over 20,000 lives, the French gave up the job in 1904 and turned it
over to Americans. The U.S. Army physician in charge, William Crawford Gorgas learned that
mosquitoes passed on the disease. He was able to eradicate yellow fever in Panama within a
year.
Source: Issac Isamov’s Book of Facts
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Word of The Week
BANDY – (ban-dE) – Verb
1 : to bat to and fro
2 a : to toss from side to side or pass about from one to another often in a careless or
inappropriate manner b : EXCHANGE; especially : to exchange (words) argumentatively c : to
discuss lightly or banteringly d: to use in a glib or off hand manner -- often used with
about
The tennis pros could bandy the ball with grace.
“Dodgers”
was an abbreviation for “trolley dodgers”. The term developed during the early
to mid-twentieth century, when trolley cars were common sights in urban areas such as
Brooklyn. To be a trolley dodger meant that you were able to slip through traffic. The
players on the Brooklyn Dodgers needed the same kind of agility.
Source: The Book of Answers by Barbara Berliner and the New York Public Library
**********
New York’s Wall Street is so named because there actually was a wall across Manhattan
Island, designed to keep the Indians from the small city then huddled on the tip of the
island.
Source: The Directory of Misinformation by Tom Burnam
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Word of The Week
ASCETIC - uh-SET-ik – Noun
A person who chooses a life of constant and strict self-denial, usually as an act of
faith.
Mark had doubts about his religious calling, and he eventually decided that his drinking
and smoking habits were not well suited to the life of an ascetic.
The distress call
letters “SOS” were adopted by international agreement in 1908 because, in Morse
code, they were easy both to transmit and to understand. The term “Save Our
Ship” or “Save Our Souls” had nothing to do with the choice of letters. The
original distress message created by the Marconi Company around the turn of the century
was “CQD”. CQ was an alert signal and D stood for distress. Unfortunately the
Morse code pattern for “CQD” was too cumbersome to send repeatedly so it was
changed to the now familiar “SOS” The letter S is sent as three short impulses
or “dits” and the letter O by three long impulses or “dahs.”Hence, the
code is an easy pattern dit dit dit dah dah dah dit dit dit.
Source: Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins by William and Mary Morris
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Word Of the Week
AFFINITY - uh-FIN-ih-tee – NOUN
A natural attraction or inherent similarity between two things.
The President’s affinity for Monica has caused him nothing but trouble.
Once in a blue
moon………….. or every 2.72 years on average. The moons cycle does not
quite “mesh” with our calendar month. A full moon occurs every 29.53 days. When
a full moon occurs 2 times in the same month it is said to be a blue moon. Even less
likely is two blue moons in a single year. This occurs every nineteen years.
Source: The World Almanac '96
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In 1697 Charles Perrault's version of "Cinderella" appeared in the Tales of
Mother Goose. Not until this publication did Cinderella wear glass slippers, or
"pantouffles en verre." Perrault mistranslated this phrase and thought it was
equivalent to "pantouffles en vair," which actually
means slippers made from white squirrel fur.
Source: Fabulous Fallacies By Tad Tuleja
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Word of the Week
CANARD - kuh-NARD - Noun
A false or unfounded report or story; especially : a fabricated report.
The canard, based on H.G. Wells' "War of the Worlds," fooled many radio
listeners.
Radiocarbon (C-14)
Dating:
All living organisms absorb radiocarbon, an unstable form of carbon that has a half-life
of about 5,730 years. During its lifetime, an organism continually replenishes its supply
of radiocarbon by breathing and eating. After the organism dies and becomes a fossil, C-14
continues to decay without being replaced. To measure the amount of radiocarbon left in a
fossil, scientists burn a small piece to convert it into carbon dioxide gas. Radiation
counters are used to detect the electrons given off by decaying C-14 as it turns into
nitrogen. The amount of C-14 is compared to the amount of C-12, the stable form of carbon,
to determine how much radiocarbon has decayed and to date the fossil.
Source: Microsoft Encarta ‘96
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The great French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal invented roulette. It was a
byproduct of his experiments in perpetual motion.
Source: 2001 Fascinating Facts by David Louis
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Word of The Week
DERISION - de-RIZH-un – Noun
1 a : the use of ridicule or scorn to show contempt b : a state of being derided
2 : an object of ridicule or scorn
Bill presented his proposal and it was met with derision from his peers.
The word mile
originates from the Latin word for one thousand, “mille”. The Romans measured a
mile as 1000 Roman paces (5000 feet) by their marching soldiers.
The British were partial to the furlong. Even before written records of land were kept,
British farmers built stone walls to demarcate fields whose length was standardized. The
plowmen dug furrows the equivalent of 220 modern yards. Furlong was the slurred
pronunciation of furrow-long and the furlong became the designation for 220 yards.
When Britain adopted the mile, farmers insisted that it be tied to their basic unit of
measurement, the furlong. The Roman mile consisted of a little more than seven and one
half furlongs. Rather than change their beloved furlong, the British changed the length of
the Roman mile. Instead of 5000 feet the mile became 8 furlongs or 1760 yards, the exact
measurement we use today 5,280 feet.
Source: Imponderables by David Feldman
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Word of The Week
FEBRILE - FEE-brul – Adjective
Feverish
Due to Rhonda's current febrile condition, she is unable to travel out of town.
In 1925, when Detroit
was alive and well with a burgeoning auto industry, some car manufactures were producing
two-tone models. Flashy, yes, but a nightmare to paint. So the carmakers turned to the
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (3M) for a sturdy tape they could run along a
seam while painting to keep clean the border where the colors
met. The 3M people bought the idea but because the cost of adhesive was high someone
skimped. The tape went out with a strip of adhesive missing from the centerline. Naturally
it didn’t stick well and the paint dribbled into all the wrong places. Irate auto
workers attacked the 3M salesmen: “Take this tape back to those Scotch bosses of
yours and tell them to put adhesive all over the tape……” The bosses made a
better tape and the Scotch name stuck.
Source: How did they do that? By Caroline Sutton
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Word of The Week
INSIPID - (in-SIP-id) - adjective
Lacking in vigor; dull.
In Frank's opinion, the movie’s plot was insipid and left much to be desired.
The Presidential
sculptures on Mount Rushmore were completed in 1941 after 14 years of construction and
cost less then $1,000,000 to produce. The sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, selected each
president. George Washington was chosen because he was the “Father of the
Nation”, Abraham Lincoln, “Preserver of the Union”, Thomas Jefferson,
“The Expansionist”, and
Theodore Roosevelt “Protector of the Working Man”.
Mount Rushmore was not named until 1885 when a New York attorney, Charles E Rushmore was
surveying the mountain range on horseback with a guide. When asked the mountain’s
name the guide replied “Hell, it never had a name”. “But from now on
we’ll call the damn thing Rushmore.” The name stuck.
Source: Panati’s Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things & TheNational Park
Service web site
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Word of The Week
MISOGYNY – (Mi-sog-y-ny) – noun
A hatred of women
MISOGYNIST – (Mi-sog-y-nist) – noun or adjective
MISOGYNISTIC – (mi·sog·y·nis·tic) – adjective
The prosecutor asked the defendant if he was a misogynist.
The U.S.
Constitution, in Article I, Section 3, provides for the impeachment of federal public
officials and gives explicit directions for conducting impeachments. The House of
Representatives initiates impeachment proceedings by resolution and appoints a number of
its members to act as managers in prosecuting the impeachment before the Senate, which
serves as a court to try the official. The vice president, who presides over the Senate,
also presides at impeachment trials, except in the case of an impeachment of the
president, when the chief justice of the U.S. presides. A two-thirds majority vote of the
senators present at an impeachment trial is necessary to secure conviction. Most
impeachment proceedings in U.S. history have involved federal judges, and acquittals have
been more numerous than convictions. In 1868 President Andrew Johnson was impeached on
charges of defying the authority of Congress and of violating a federal law, the recently
enacted Tenure of Office Act. Johnson was acquitted. In 1974 three articles of impeachment
against President Richard M. Nixon were voted by the Judiciary Committee of the House of
Representatives. The president was charged with obstructing justice, abusing his
constitutional authority, and failing to obey the committee's subpoenas. Nixon resigned,
and the House accepted the committee report without further action. Impeachment procedure
in the states is modeled on that of the federal Constitution and has been infrequently
invoked.
Source: Microsoft Encarta ’96
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Word of The Week
LECHERY – (Lech-er-y) - Noun
Excessive indulgence in sexual activity.
LECHEROUS – (Lech-er-ous) – Adj
Given to, characterized by or inciting lechery
LECH – Slang term for Lecher or a man given to lechery
The President’s lecherous ways may lead him to impeachment.
The colors of a
rainbow can only be seen when the angle of reflection between the sun, the drops of water,
and the observer's line of vision is between 40 and 42 degrees. This occurs during the
morning and late afternoon hours. In the brightest or primary bow, often the only one
seen, the colors are arranged with the red outside. Above the perfect bow is a secondary
bow, in which the colors are arranged in reverse order; this bow is dimmer, because of a
double reflection within the drops.
Source: Microsoft Encarta ‘96
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Contrary to popular belief on many college campuses and military bases, salt peter does
not inhibit sexual desire or performance. Chemists know the substance as potassium
nitrate. Salt peter acts as a diuretic when ingested, which somehow must account for its
undeserved reputation.
Source: The Directory of Misinformation by Tom Burnam
++++++++++
Word of The Week
ADROIT - / & -‘droit / - Adj ( & sounds as a and u in abut )
Having or showing skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness in handling situations
Micheal is an adroit computer programmer.
Ring-a-ring o’
roses,
A pocket full of posies,
A-tishoo! A-tishoo!
We all fall down.
The nursery rhyme first appeared in a 1881 book, Mother Goose, though in oral tradition it
is much older. The verse is actually about the Great Plague of London during the middle
1600’s. The disease was transmitted in humans by rat fleas. “Ring o’ roses
refers to the circular rosy rash that was one of the plague’s early symptoms. The
phrase “pocket full of posies” stands for the herbs people carried in their
pockets, believing they offered protection from the disease. The final two lines tell of
the plague’s fatal sneeze, which preceded physical collapse; literally, the victim
fell down.
Source: Panati’s Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things and supporting web
sites.
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Word of The Week
PARAPH – ‘PAR-af’ - noun
A flourish at the end of a signature
John Hancock signed his name with a bold paraph so the king would notice his signature.
Red as a lobster: is
just a tale. Lobsters come in just about every color but red. They can be blue, light
yellow, greenish-brown, gray, dusty orange, some calico, and some with spots. However,
they all turn red when they hit hot water. The hot water cuts the link between
astaxanthin, a red substance contained in the lobster's shell, and protein which in cold
water brings out the predominant coloring.
++++++++++
For most species, truly fresh fish is almost odorless. Fish begin to smell
"fishy" when deterioration sets in, often caused by incorrect storage practices
that bring about the release of oxidized fats and acids through bacterial and enzymatic
action.
Source for both: NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center
http://www.wh.whoi.edu/noaanf.html
**********
Word of The Week
BELIE - bi-'lI - transitive verb (requires an object) BELIER - noun
1 a : to give a false impression of b : to present an appearance not in
agreement with
2 a : to show (something) to be false or wrong b : to run counter to
Mark's unsteady walk and slurred speech belied his insistence of sobriety.
Galileo first
discovered Jupiter’s third largest moon, Io, in 1610. Its name comes from Greek
mythology, as do the names of all of Jupiter’s moons. Io is the most volcanically
active body known. It's volcanoes throw out enough material every 10,000 years to cover
the entire surface with a layer about 1m (3 ft) thick. So Io is continually turning itself
inside out.
Sources: Microsoft Encarta ’96 and the JPL
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The football huddle originated at Gallaudet University (the world's only accredited
four-year liberal arts college for the deaf) in the 19th century when the football team
found that opposing teams were reading their signed messages and intercepting plays.
Source: http://www.gallaudet.edu/~sports/fbhist.html
**********
Word Of The Week
SARDONIC - sär-'dä-nik – adjective SARDONICALLY - adverb
Disdainfully or skeptically humorous : derisively mocking <a sardonic comment>
<his sardonic expression>
Mark gave a sardonic laugh when asked if he planed to share his lottery winnings with his
family.
Cecil J. Rhodes
(1853-1902) was an English capitalist, imperialist and statesman. Rhodes made his fortune
mining diamonds and his wealth allowed him to control large sections of SE Africa, which
later became Rhodesia. Upon his death, his will deeded most of his vast fortune to
establish Rhodes scholarships at England’s Oxford University.
The scholarship is a stipend awarded to approximately 230 selected college and university
students from the Commonwealth of Nations, the United States, South Africa, and Germany
for two years of study. On Rhodes's suggestion the selection of students is based on
scholastic attainments, participation in sports, moral stature, and qualities of
leadership. In 1976 the British Parliament extended eligibility to women. Applicants must
be between 18 and 24 and may work in any academic field. The stipend covers tuition and
living expenses.
Sources: Microsoft Encarta ’96 and The Random House Encyclopedia
**********
Think 2% milk is low fat? Think again! Whole milk contains between 3 and 3.5% milk fat.
The term “the
third degree”, which refers to a lengthy and pointed questioning, originates from the
Masonic lodge. Within the lodge there are 3 degrees; the Entered Apprentice, the
Fellowcraft and the Master Mason. To become a Third-Degree or Master Mason, the highest
rank, one must submit to questioning. The Masons' questioning for the third-degree was
known to be an intense ordeal, frightening, and unpleasant. Additionally, it is more
physically challenging that the first two degrees. The term has come to be used for any
long and arduous questioning or interrogation.
Source: Various etymology web-sites
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The word “candidate” originates from the Latin word “candidus” meaning
“glittering white”. In ancient Rome, a man campaigning for office wore a white
toga and was consequently called candidatus, “clothed in white.” From this comes
our word candidate with the meaning “one campaigning for office”
Source: Picturesque Word Origins from Webster’s New International Dictionary
++++++++++
The Bill Of Rights
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to
the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
At the start of the
Revolutionary War, the governor of New Jersey was a Tory giving aid and comfort to the
British. He was arrested by the Revolutionary Congress of New Jersey and imprisoned. His
life was spared because of the reverence the colonists had for his father. He was
exchanged for Americans held prisoner by the British and sailed for England. The Tory was
William Franklin, a son of Benjamin Franklin..
++++++++++
When the Articles of Confederation were adopted as the governing instrument of the former
British colonies after the Revolutionary War the British colony of Canada was invited to
become a member of the Confederation, the only colony outside the original thirteen that
was invited to do so. She decided not to become a part of the new nation.
Source for both Facts: Isaac Asimov’s Book Of Facts
++++++++++
The Bill of Rights
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or
disparage others retained by the people.
**********
Pam followed up last week’s bit of wisdom with:
A gallon of ice cream in the freezer is safe……but that's not what ice cream is
for!
Vaisnava is a
centuries old Indian devotional tradition that is represented in the West by the group
known as the Hare Krishnas. The Vaishnava’s are followers of Hindu scripture known as
the Vedas. This scripture stresses the importance of the glorification of God’s Holy
Names through chanting mantras. God incarnate within Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu taught their
most important Maha-Mantra or “the Great Chant for Deliverance”, five centuries
ago, in India. The chant “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare –
Hare Rama Hara Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare” means “O my Lord, O energy of the Lord,
please engage me in your service”
This chant is often preformed in public accompanied by traditional cymbals, drums and
dance. The Krishna’s believe that this is the highest form of praise because it
allows the general population to become purified through their actions.
The Krishnas avoid “pillars of irreligion” from which all miseries arise. These
are intoxication, illicit sex, meat eating and gambling. These things are thought to cause
a loss of self-control, exploitation and uncleanness leading to disease, cruelty and
violence and dishonesty.
Source: "The Holy Names of God" published by the Krishnas
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The Bill of Rights
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishments inflicted.
*********
"A ship in harbor is safe.....but that is not what ships are for."
Thanks to Pam Schindler for that bit of wisdom
The Maidenform
company reports that their top selling bra size has increased to a 36 B from a 34 B over
the past 10 years. Industry wide it is the same as more and more female baby boomers enter
their middle years the demand for larger size bras is expanding. Bra manufactures have
seen sales of larger size bras increase by 10-20 % in each of the last 3 years. The cause
of this increase in sales according to Maidenform is gravity.
Source: Marketplace from Public Radio International
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The top 5 reasons wireless workers seek new employment are:
- More challenge
- Advancement opportunity
- Dissatisfied with company direction
- Better compensation
- Dissatisfied with management
The average salary for a new “Wireless” employee is $55,908.
Source: Wireless Week June 8, 1998
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The Bill of Rights
Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the
right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise
reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common
law.
The current US system
for shoe sizing originates with the barleycorn. During the Middle Ages the Romans and
English used the barleycorn as a point of reference for the measurement because of its
seed’s uniformity in length. By decree in 1305 King Edward of England specified that
an inch would be equal to 3 barleycorns. British cobblers adopted the standard and began
manufacturing the first footwear in standard sizes.
Source: The Encyclopedia Britanica
++++++++
The American chemist Robert Hare discovered that a blowpipe flame acting upon a block of
calcium oxide (lime) produces a brilliant whitelight that could be used to illuminate
theater stages. We speak of someone who faces the glare of publicity as being “in the
limelight”.
Source: Isaac Asimov’s Book of Facts
++++++++
The Bill of Rights
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public
trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been
committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be
informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses
against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have
the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Before jeans were
blue, even before they were pants, jeans was a twilled cotton cloth, similar to denim,
used for making sturdy work clothes. The textile was milled in the Italian town of Genoa,
which French weavers called Genes, the origin of our word “jeans”
Blue jeans were invented by a seventeen-year-old immigrant tailor named Levi Strauss
during the 1850’s. Originally Strauss stitched together the canvass-like jeans fabric
into clothing worn by California gold miners. During the 1860’s he replaced the jeans
fabric with a softer fabric made in Nimes, France. Known in Europe as “serge de
Nimes”, in America the textile’s name was pronounced “denim”. Strauss
discovered that dying neutral colored denim pants indigo blue to minimize soil stains
greatly increased their popularity.
Source: Pinati’s Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things by Charles Panati
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The Bill of Rights
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a
presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval
forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor
shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or
limb; nor shall be
compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life,
liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for
public use, without just compensation.
On July 1, 1946 the
United States began peacetime nuclear testing by dropping an atom bomb on the chain of
Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean known as the Bikini Atoll. The bomb, similar to the
type that a year earlier devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki, commanded worldwide media
attention.
In Paris, designer Louis Reard was preparing to introduce a daringly skimpy two piece
swimsuit, still unnamed. Newspapers were filled with details of the bomb blast. Reard,
wishing his suit to command media attention, and believing the design was explosive,
selected a name then on the public’s lips.
On July 5, four days after the bomb was dropped, Reard’s top model, Micheline
Bernardi, paraded down a Paris runway in history’s first bikini. In 1946, the
swimsuit seemed to stir more debate, concern and condemnation than the bomb.
Source: Panati’s Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things by Charles Panati
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The Bill of Rights
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects,
against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall
issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly
describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
A quarter has 119
grooves on its circumference. A dime has one less. These serrated edges are not there for
simple ornamentation. Back in the "good old days" when coins were made out of
silver or gold and actually had intrinsic value, nefarious types used to pull a favorite
scam. They would file or clip the edges off the coins and palm them off for face value.
The shavings would then be sold for a tidy profit if one had access to enough coins.
Milled edges proved to be an excellent deterrent, safe-guarding the integrity of the legal
weight of the coin by making it obvious to the recipient whether or not the coin had been
tampered with. Today, reeded edges remain on American coins out of custom and inertia as
the value of the metal contained within modern coins makes the practice of defacing on
hardly worthwhile.
Source: Imponderables by David Feldman & 2001 Fascinating Facts by David Louis
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The Bill of Rights
Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the
Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
The
"QWERTY" configuration of our computer keyboards comes from the work of inventor
C. L. Sholes, who put together the prototypes of the first commercial typewriter in a
Milwaukee machine shop back in the 1860's.
When Sholes built his first model in 1868, the keys were arranged alphabetically in two
rows. At the time, Milwaukee was a backwoods town. The crude machine shop tools available
there could hardly produce a finely-honed instrument that worked with precision.
The first typewriter was sluggish. Its keys jammed when common letters were quickly
pressed in succession. Sholes was able to figure out a way around the problem simply by
rearranging the letters into the QWERTY pattern used today.
Sholes and financial backer James Densmore went to Remington, the arms manufacturer, to
have their machines mass-produced. In 1874, the first Type-Writer appeared on the market.
No contemporary account complains about the illogical keyboard. In fact, few contemporary
accounts even mention the machine at all. At its debut, it was largely ignored.
Sales of the typewriter did not take off until after Remington's second model was
introduced in 1878. This model offered the shift key and the ability to type lower case
letters.
Source: Imponderables by David Feldman and various web sites on the subject
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The Bill of Rights
Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of
the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
During the debates on the adoption of the Constitution, its opponents repeatedly charged that the Constitution as drafted would open the way to tyranny by the central government. Fresh in their minds was the memory of the British violation of civil rights before and during the Revolution. They demanded a "bill of rights" that would spell out the immunities of individual citizens. Several state conventions in their formal ratification of the Constitution asked for such amendments; others ratified the Constitution with the understanding that the amendments would be offered.
On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States therefore proposed to the state legislatures 12 amendments to the Constitution that met arguments most frequently advanced against it. The first two proposed amendments, which concerned the number of constituents for each Representative and the compensation of Congressmen, were not ratified. Articles 3 to 12, however, ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures, constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights.
There were three states that did not ratify the Bill of Rights until 1941. They were GA, (crazy Georgians) MA and CT.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Source: The National Archives and Records Administration of the U.S Government
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My right to publish Friday Fact it is guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. The current distribution list exceeds 100 people and I know that it gets forwarded to many others all over the globe. Most folks have asked to be included on the distribution. A few people were added, without direct permission, a long time ago because I thought they would enjoy reading truthful and factual information. If at any time you wish to be removed from this distribution simply send a message indicating your wishes. Likewise, additions are always welcome. Simply contact me in person or by E-mail.
Lesbos is a Greek island located in the Aegean Sea, off the coast of Turkey. Lesbos was a noted cultural center of ancient Greece, especially in the 7th and 6th centuries BC. It later was a part of the Ottoman Empire until it was annexed by Greece in 1913 after the Turks were defeated in the Balkan Wars. The principal products are olives, olive oil, figs, and grain; tanneries and soap factories are also here. Area, 1637 sq km (632 sq mi); population (1981) 104,620.
As you may guess there is more to the story of Lesbos than olives. During the late 7th century BC Lesbos was the home of the female poet Sappho. Sappho was a noblewoman who ran a girls’ school devoted to the study of music and poetry. Her theme was love and she used nature to express her emotions. Amorous and passionate in style, she wrote love poems, of which large fragments remain, to her students. Historians note that Sappho’s students were homosexual women. The band of women became known as lesbians from the name of the Greek island. 2600 years later the name still refers to homosexual women.
Source: The Random House Encyclopedia
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A "tort" is a wrongful act involving a breach of a legal duty imposed by the state and resulting in injuries to another for which the injured party may institute a civil action for damages. A tort differs from a crime in that a tort is an offense against an individual, whereas a crime is an offense against the state, for which the state inflicts punishment. A tort differs from a breach of contract in that the legal duty breached by the tort is one imposed by the state, whereas in a breach of contract, the obligation breached is one which the contracting parties have voluntarily assumed. The same act can be considered a breach of contract, a tort and a crime.
Source for both facts: Microsoft Encarta ‘96++++++++
Sometime around 10,500 hits to greatguy.com, Kimberly paid a visit to my site. :)) On Friday, I am traveling to Atlanta to meet her. She is a super young lady and we have a busy weekend planned. Kimberly is a lawyer and henceforth and hitherto………… todays topics. *LOL*
Data from a National Health Interview Survey of 122,856 Americans reveals that married folks are less likely than single people to report chronic health conditions that limit or restrict their daily lives. Married people also report fewer injuries than singles.
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Why married couples argue:
78% Money
30% Indifference to feelings
24% Sex/Adultery
20% Irresponsibility
11% Drinking
Percentages are how many of the survey pool indicated the cause. Answers listed do not add up to 76% due to multiple responses.
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It is possible to be "happily married" and not interested in sex. Surveys show this is more true of women then men. (imagine that!)
"Happily married" women not interested in sex = 35%
"Happily married" men not interested in sex = 16%
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Marriages Annually: 2,344,000 (1996)
Marriage Rate: 8.8 Marriages per 1,000 population (1996)
Median Age at Marriage (Women): 26.7 (1990)
Median Age at Marriage (Men): 28.7 (1990)
Median Age at First Marriage (Women): 24 (1990)
Median Age at First Marriage (Men): 25.9 (1990)
Median Age at Re-Marriage After Divorce (Women): 34.2 (1990)
Median Age at Re-Marriage After Divorce (Men): 37.4 (1990)
Likelihood of New Marriages Ending in Divorce: 43% (1988)
Number of Marriages ending in Divorce in Texas > 50% (1994-1996)
Sources: Readers Digest Book Of Health Facts & Monthly Vital StatisticsReport, Vol. 43, No. 12 Supplement
During 1899 three men, John H. Nicholson, Samuel Hill and Will Knights formed an association to band Christian commercial travelers together for mutual recognition, personal evangelism, and united service for the Lord.
Much thought was given to what the name of the association should be, and after special prayer that God might lead them to select the proper name, Mr. Knights arose from his knees and said, "We shall be called Gideons." He read the sixth and seventh chapters of Judges and showed the reason for adopting the name, "The Gideons."
Gideon was a man who was willing to do exactly what God wanted him to do, irrespective of his own judgment as to the plans or results. Humility, faith, and obedience were his great elements of character. This is the standard that the Gideon association is trying to establish in all its members, each man to be ready to do God's will at any time, at any place, and in any way that the Holy Spirit leads.
In 1908 the association adopted the practice of placing bibles in every hotel room in the country. A trustee of the association commented, " In my opinion, this would not only stimulate the activities of the rank and file of the membership, but would be a gracious act, wholly in keeping with the divine mission of the Gideon Association."
Funding for the purchase and placement of these Bibles comes directly from local church organizations of various denominations.
Today Gideons International boasts more than 130,000 members in over 170 countries. They are united in carrying out the same program using the same methods to accomplish the one objective of winning others to Christ. This program includes Bible placement and other various evangelical activities.
Source: www.gideons.org
The term "Dixie" did not originally apply to the Confederate South, but only to New Orleans. The usual explanation is that a New Orleans bank, soon after Louisiana became a part of the United States, issued bilingual ten-dollar bills identified as to denomination, on one side by the French word dix ("ten").
The bills came to be called dixies and the term, or its Anglicized singular form, dixie, came to be applied to New Orleans. A popular song written in 1859 was adopted as the informal anthem of the South and was responsible for the extension of Dixie to the entire Confederacy.
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The second article of the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution reads in whole "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." Nothing in the Constitution, thus, forbids the right of federal or state governments to make any gun-control laws they wish in terms of an individual who is not a member of a "well-regulated militia"
Source for both facts: "The dictionary of Misinformation" by Tom Burnam
Following the war with the Barbary Pirates in 1805, when Lieutenant P.N.O'Bannon and his small force of Marines participated in the capture of Derne (North Africa) and hoisted the American flag for the first time over a fortress of the Old World, the Colors of the Corps was inscribed with the words: "To the Shores of Tripoli." After the Marines had participated in the capture and occupation of Mexico City and the Castle of Chapultepec, otherwise known as the "Halls of Montezuma," the words on the Colors were changed to read: "From the Shores of Tripoli to the Halls of Montezuma."
Following the close of the Mexican War came the first verse of the Marines' Hymn, written, according to tradition, by a Marine on duty in Mexico. For the sake of euphony, the unknown author transposed the phrases in the motto on the Colors so that the first two lines of the Hymn would read: "From the Halls of Montezuma, To the Shores of Tripoli."
Copyright ownership of the Marines' Hymn was vested in the United States Marine Corps per certificate of registration dated August 19, 1891 but is now in the public domain. In 1929, the Commandant of the Marine Corps authorized the following verses of the Marines' Hymn as the official version:
On November 21, 1942, the Commandant of the Marine Corps approved a change in the words of the fourth line, first verse, to read, "In air, on land, and sea."
"From the Halls of MontezumaTo the Shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
On the land as on the sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
of United States Marine.
"Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in ev'ry clime and place
Where we could take a gun;
In the snow of far-off Northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job--
The United States Marines.
"Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve;
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes;
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines."
Source: The USMC
In 1848 John Humphrey Noyes founded the town of Oneida, New York as a utopian society. The town flourished for 33 years and at its height had more than 300 citizens. The community survived through agricultural production and the manufacture of silverware.
"Complex marriage" was among several of Noyes unusual doctrines that were followed by the society. This doctrine stated that every man and every woman in the community were married to each other. They could engage in sexual intercourse but could never be attached to each other.
Another teaching practiced at the Oneida Community was that of "Male Continence," which was a type of birth control. In the practice of Male Continence, "a couple would engage in sexual congress without the man ever ejaculating, either during intercourse or after withdrawal."
"Ascending Fellowship" was set up to properly introduce the virgins into "Complex Marriage". This practice also worked to prevent the young members from falling in love with each other and from limiting their range of affection to just the younger members. The main people picked to care for the virgins were people who were considered to be closer to God. Older women of the community initiated boys to the art of "Male Continence" and older men instructed the young women. Carefully chosen couples were permitted to have children, who were then raised by the community instead of by the parents, in the manor proposed by Plato.
Problems started to occur in 1876 when Noyes tried to hand over leadership to his son, Dr. Theodore Noyes, who was an agnostic. Not only was the fact that he was an agnostic bad enough, but he ran the community with a tight fist which was resented by the people. The community broke up in 1881 and was reorganized as a joint stock company after which the social / sexual experiments were abandoned. Oneida silverware is still manufactured today.
Source: Issac Asimov’s Book of Facts and The New York history web site at http://www.nyhistory.com/central/oneida.htm Check it out for more details.
In the second half of the 20th century, a self-conscious revival of pre-Christian paganism occurred in the United States and Europe. The foundation of this revival was witchcraft, or wicca. This form of witchcraft with its feeling for nature, its colorful rituals, its love of fantasy, and its challenge of conventional religion and society harmonized well with the countercultural mood of the 1960s and grew rapidly during that decade.
Wiccans believe that there are energies which reside within all living things and that these energies can be manipulated to produce needed effects (this is called magick, with a "k" to distinguish it from stage illusions). The morality of Wicca is summed up into one phrase, known as the Wiccan Rede, "And it harm none, do what ye will." This means that Wiccans can do whatever they want as long as they do not harm anyone (including themselves) in doing so. Some Wiccans believe that it is all right to cause harm in the name of defense as a last resort. The Wiccan Rede is the one rule that all Wiccans follow, regardless of any other beliefs concerning the religion. Another commonly believed Wiccan law is that whatever deeds are done, good or bad, will be returned three-fold.
Modern witchcraft is entirely different from Satanism or the diabolical witchcraft imagined by the persecutors of past centuries. Major wiccan themes include love of nature, equality of male and female, appreciation of the ceremonial, a sense of wonder and belief in magic, and appreciation of the symbolism and psychological realities behind the gods and goddesses of antiquity.
Source: Microsoft Encarta ’96 and various Wiccan web sites
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Todays topic is a result of a conversation I had with a young lady who was a practicing Wiccan…………….. NO, this greatguy is not dating a witch.<Grin>
Easter Sunday always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox. (first day of spring) The holiday can occur any time between March 22 and April 25.
Passover is an 8 day Jewish festival that commemorates the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and their safe flight across the Red Sea led by Moses. Passover began at sundown on April 4th and is celebrated with a traditional Seder meal. Through out the festival, Jews abstain from eating leavened bread. The consumption of unleavened matzoth symbolizes the fact that the Israelites left Egypt so quickly that they did not have time for their bread to rise.
"Toxoplasmosis is the most common parasitic infection worldwide," says Dr. Allan Paul, small animal Extension veterinarian at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine at Urbana. "It is estimated to affect 1 to 2 billion people." Nearly 20 percent of all Americans have been infected by the time they are adults.
The organism that causes this disease is Toxoplasma gondii. This is an extremely small protozoan, or single-celled organism. All animals and birds can be infected with the toxoplasmosis parasite. The parasite enters the muscles of a bird, animal or human when it eats raw meat or drinks the milk of another animal that is infected. Cats can also spread the parasite in their feces. Therefore humans can also become infected with toxoplasmosis when changing a cat litter box or working in an area contaminated with cat feces. However, the most common form of transmission to humans is by eating undercooked meat.
Most people do not realize they have contracted the parasite because the symptoms are usually very mild and resemble a cold or flu. Treatments are available for more serious infections.
Toxoplasmosis is often called "pregnant woman’s disease" because of the higher risk to pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals (AIDS). The most devastating effects occur in unborn fetuses. "Clinical signs range from nothing to miscarriage or death, with the most common being eye problems and mental retardation.(of the fetus)"
Source: Condensed from various reputable web sites.
Todays topic was suggested by my mom.
Mardi Gras (French for "fat Tuesday") is pre-Lenten festival celebrated in Roman Catholic countries and communities. In a strict sense, Mardi Gras, or Shrove Tuesday, is celebrated by the French as the last of the three days of Shrovetide and is a time of preparation immediately before Ash Wednesday and the start of the fast of Lent. It is thus the last opportunity for merrymaking and indulgence in food and drink. According to an apostolic constitution issued by Pope Paul VI in February 1966, fasting and abstinence during Lent are obligatory only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Even still, Mardi Gras is generally celebrated for a full week before Lent. It is marked by spectacular parades featuring floats, pageants, elaborate costumes, masked balls, and dancing in the streets.
Mardi Gras originated as one of the series of carnival days held in all Roman Catholic countries between Twelfth Night, or Epiphany, and Ash Wednesday; these carnivals had their origin in pre-Christian spring fertility rites. The most famous modern Mardi Gras festivities are those held in New Orleans, Louisiana; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Nice, France; and Cologne, Germany.
Source: Microsoft Encarta ’96
Saint Valentine is name of two legendary martyrs whose lives seem to be historically based. One was a Roman priest and physician who suffered martyrdom during the persecution of Christians by the emperor Claudius II Gothicus and was buried on the Via Flaminia. Pope St. Julius I reportedly built a basilica over his grave. The other, bishop of Terni, Italy, was martyred, apparently also in Rome, and his relics were later taken to Terni. It is possible these are different versions of the same original account and refer to only one person.
Source: Encyclopedia Britannica
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VALENTINE'S DAY AND ROMANCE:
Scholars have two main theories to explain how February 14 became associated with romance:
Theory I:
The middle of February was the time of the ancient Roman Feast of Lupercalia, a pagan fertility celebration. Maidens would write love notes and deposit them in a large urn. The men of Rome would pick notes from the urn and then court the girls whose messages they had drawn.
Theory II:
People began sending love notes on Valentine's Day in the late Middle Ages. Medieval Europeans believed that birds began to mate on February 14 and wished to emulate them. Both theories blend fact and fancy, so it is impossible to separate them.
We know the first paper valentines date back to the 1500s and enterprising Yankees soon were making money selling valentines. Esther A. Howland, who produced one of the first commercial American valentines in the 1840s, sold $5,000 worth--when $5,000 was a lot of money--the first year. Americans are such eager lovers that the valentine industry has been booming ever since.
Source: Lawrence Cunninghame, PhD, University of Notre Dame
Scotland Yard is the popular name for the headquarters of London's Metropolitan Police Force, and especially its Criminal Investigation Department. The name is derived from a small area where the headquarters was situated from 1829 to 1890. The area, in turn, was named after a medieval palace in which the kings and queens of Scotland resided during state visits to London. The custom of referring to the headquarters and its officers as Scotland Yard began soon after the Metropolitan Police Force was reorganized by the British statesman Sir Robert Peel in 1829.
The headquarters was moved in 1890 to new buildings erected on the Thames Embankment, which were known as New Scotland Yard. In 1967 the present headquarters, a modern 20-story building situated near the Houses of Parliament, was opened
Source: Microsoft Encarta ’96
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The English word testimony originates from the Roman men’s practice of placing one’s right hand on his testicles when swearing to tell the truth.
Source: Isaac Asimov’s Book Of Facts
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The average 20 something will change jobs and / or careers 5 to 7 times before retirement.
Source: USA Today Factoid
Groundhog day originated as Candlemas Day and comes from the early Christians in Europe. For centuries it was the custom to have the clergy bless candles and distribute them to the people. This day marked a milestone in the winter and the weather on that day was important.
According to an old English song:
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, winter, have another flight
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go, winter, and come not again.
Roman legions, during the conquest of the northern regions supposedly brought this tradition to the German peoples who picked up on it and concluded that if the sun made an appearance on Candlemas Day, an animal, the hedgehog, would cast a shadow thus predicting six more weeks of winter.
As Europeans sailed for the new world they brought with them their beliefs and traditions but left behind the flora and fauna of their homeland. Pennsylvania's earliest European settlers were Germans, the "Pennsylvania Dutch". There were no hedgehogs in Pennsylvania, but they found groundhogs in profusion. The groundhog resembles the European hedgehog, and as it turned out the groundhog, or "woodchuck", already was esteemed by the Indians. It was observed that the groundhog is a most wise and sensible animal. If the sun did appear on Feb. 2nd (Candlemas Day), therefore, he would see his shadow and hurry to his underground home for another six weeks of winter.
Today, Punxsutawney Phil from Punxsutawney, PA is the most noted groundhog weather prognosticator.
Source: www.groundhog.org in Punxsutawney PA & The Enclycopedia Britannica
It is 20 degrees outside and you are snuggled in your nice warm bed……….just you, perhaps your significant other………. and at least a million dust mites. Dust mites live off dead skin and hair that is contained within the dander shed by humans and animals. Even in the most tidy home there is more than enough food to support a colony of dust mites within your mattresses and pillows. Household dust consists primarily of dander, dust mites and their droppings and mold. Every day the average adult human sheds about 1.5 grams of skin - that's enough food for one million house dust mites!
The dust mite cannot be seen with the naked eye, as it only measures 0.1 to 0.5 mm. They prefer places with a relative humidity of 60% to 80% and temperatures between 68° and 84°F. The deepest layers of carpets and upholstery are perfect places for them. Most house dust mites die when the relative humidity drops; for example, at the beginning of a heating period. Unfortunately, their waste remains, which can cause allergic reactions.
It is estimated that about 20 million Americans suffer from house dust mite allergy. Actually, it's not the mites that cause allergic reactions - it's their waste product. And while pollen allergy may be present for only part of the year, house dust mite allergy can be present all year long. The symptoms of house dust mite allergy may vary - in mild cases, allergic people can have watery eyes, a runny nose, and sneezing or coughing attacks. In more serious cases, an asthma attack can occur.
Influenza is a contagious disease caused by three types of viruses--influenza A, B and C. When someone who has the flu sneezes, coughs or talks, the virus is expelled into the air and may be inhaled by anyone nearby. It can also be transmitted by hand contact.
Each year in the U.S. between 20,000 and 40,000 people are killed by influenza. More than 90 percent of these deaths occur in people over the age of 65.
One way to protect yourself against influenza is to get a flu shot each fall. The best time is between mid-October and mid-November. This allows your immunity to peak during the flu season, which is generally December through March. You may worry that the influenza vaccine will give you the flu. But viruses used in the vaccine are inactivated so they can't cause influenza.
The vaccine's effectiveness in any one year depends on which influenza strains are circulating and how well the vaccine matches up against those strains. It prevents influenza in 30 to 70 percent of people who get vaccinated, and prevents hospitalization or death in 80 to 90 percent. If you're vaccinated and you still get the flu, symptoms are usually milder.
Source: The Mayo Clinic at www.mayohealth.org
Leprosy or Hansen's Disease is a chronic, infectious disease of human beings that primarily affects the skin, mucous membranes, and nerves. The disease is caused by a rod-shaped bacillus (bacteria) which is similar to the bacillus that causes tuberculosis. The leprosy bacillus was identified in 1874 by the Norwegian physician Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen.
In both the Old and New Testaments the name leprosy is given to a number of physical conditions unrelated to leprosy. These conditions were considered a punishment from God for sin. The victim was said to be in a state of tsara'ath, or defilement. This Hebrew term was later translated as lepros, from which came the word leprosy.
The earliest symptom is often anesthesia (loss of sensation) in a patch of skin. In the lepromatous form, large areas of the skin may become infiltrated. The mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, and throat may be invaded by large numbers of the organism. Because of damage to the nerves, muscles may become paralyzed. The loss of sensation that accompanies the destruction of nerves may result in unnoticed injuries. These may result in secondary infections, the replacement of healthy tissue with scar tissue, and the destruction or absorption of bone. The classic disfigurements of leprosy, such as loss of extremities from bone damage or the so-called leonine facies, a lionlike appearance with thick nodulous skin, are signs of advanced disease, now preventable with early treatment using antibiotics and proper nutrition.
Approximately 5500 known cases of leprosy exist in the United States, and nearly 200 new cases are reported annually. In the western hemisphere, about 336,000 cases are registered; worldwide figures indicate about 5.25 million registered cases and about 10 million estimated sufferers.
Source: Microsoft Encarta ’96 and the WHO web site
Except for simple phobias, alcohol dependence is the most common psychiatric disorder affecting 13% of the adult population. The cost of alcoholism in this country is astounding. It costs society approximately $116 billion annually in terms of lost productivity, premature deaths, direct treatment expenses, and legal fees.
The Japanese recognized long ago that the critical feature of alcohol dependence is that one drink sets the occasion for another drink. "First a man takes a drink, then the drink takes a drink, and then the drink takes a man."
The drug naltrexone or ReVia has recently been approved by the FDA for treatment of alcohol dependence. Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors in the brain and therefore blocks the euphoric feeling or "high" from opiates such as heroin. Research in animals and humans shows that alcohol and opiates share similar pleasurable effects and these effects can be blocked with naltrexone. This can in turn block the vicious cycle of alcohol addiction in which one drink nearly always leads to a full blown relapse.
A very interesting website with more details on this subject can be found at: www.med.upenn.edu/recovery/cons/reco2000.html
Source: The University or Pennsylvania web site mentioned above
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Warning signs for alcoholism:
You drink to intoxication four or more days a week.
You’ve been in trouble lately, possibly with the law (for drunk driving or spouse
abuse), with your boss (for coming in late or doing shoddy work) or with a teacher (for
low grades)
You continue to drink, even though you are aware that it is affecting your body in negative ways.
You continue to drink after having made one or more unsuccessful attempts to stop.
You spend a great deal of time either drinking or in activities connected to drinking, such as nursing a hangover.
On days when you try not to drink, you experience signs of withdrawal, like nausea, restlessness and irritably.
Source: Prevention’s Giant Book Of Health Facts