Physiology Medicine & Health Pages
By Dr. Gifford Jones
How the years fly by. Years ago I started typing on a manual typewriter, then graduated to an electric one. Eventually I was shoved, kicking and screaming, to a word processor. Again reluctant, I accepted a more sophisticated computer with more bells and whistles than I would ever need. And unless you’re a teenager, many of you know it isn’t easy learning all the gizmos that go along with it. Some days I would have gladly shot the beast. Now I’m reasonably computerized and so are many others. That’s why more and more letters from readers ask me,"Why don’t you put your E-mail address at the end of your column?”
The Prescription, Singapore, Not Safe Injection SitesBy Dr. Gifford Jones
Aha! Inspiration for a Christmas column. At breakfast this morning I read the morning newspaper. Page after page of it was devoted to increasing urban crime, young people killed in gun fights in broad daylight and drug problems in Vancouver. But what made me dream of Prozac was how authorities intend to counteract all this. Publicly funded injection sites for illegal drug users, a committee to investigate the police and the right to vote for murderers. Am I dreaming?
Doctors Should Not Dress Like Used-Car SalesmenBy Dr. Gifford Jones
“Thank God it’s Friday.” That’s an expression we often hear in the workplace. Friday was once “dress down” day and everybody loved the relaxed dress code at the end of the week. Now it’s relaxed clothing every day of the week. I have no idea how this casualness has affected the efficiency of the business community. But dressing-down has had an effect on how patients judge their doctors.
Dr. Matt Kanzler and his colleagues recently reported a study in the Archives of Dermatology. They conducted a survey on 84 patients from a private practice setting along with 191 patients attending a county hospital clinic. And there were some surprising findings.
Will I get Another “Tin Cup” Award?By Dr. Gifford Jones
Some things I understand. That some people with religious, moral or ethical beliefs can denounce abortion and euthanasia. What I cannot understand is how people, organizations, social workers and government can throw common sense to the wind on other social issues. Their failure to realize that the old adage “Mother knows best” is often true. So this year, will I again win the disabled organization’s “Tin Cup” award?
I recently learned of the problems facing a 25 year old mentally disabled man and his mother. He has a mental age of four with limited speech and cannot shave himself. His mother Sandra Crockett, believed that sooner or later he might end in jail for committing a sexual offense. So she did what some believe unconscionable and had him sterilized.
How About A Laugh This Week?By Dr. Gifford Jones
“Why do people instantly dislike to me when they find out I’m a lawyer?” a man asked. His friend replied, “It just saves time”.
Another story tells of the client who, on asking his lawyer what contingency fees meant, was told. “If I lose your law suit I don’t get anything. If I win you don’t get anything”.
Snufffing Out Medicinal Marijuana Is The Wrong MoveBy Dr. Gifford Jones
How would you feel if you were suffering the terrible symptoms of cancer, Aids and other serious diseases? If you knew that smoking marijuana provided some relief, but then be told that Anne McLellan, the new Federal Minister of Health, had vetoed the plan to supply pot. I don’t believe anyone without such agonizing symptoms knows how disappointed and frustrated these patients must be. What she has done is unbelievable hypocrisy. What’s worse the Canadian Medical Association in its infinite wisdom has agreed with her.
“Botox” The New Wrinkle-Free Cosmetic BoomBy Dr. Gifford Jones
What a paradox! Botulism toxin, historically one of the world’s deadly killers, has now been approved by Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as botox, a new cosmetic treatment. The result? Thousands of aging baby boomers, TV stars and others are lining up to have this well-known poison injected into their skin to bring back their youth. And in ditzy California they’re even organizing “Botox parties”!
Botox is not a new drug. The FDA approved its use years ago to treat certain medical conditions such as facial spasms and crossed-eyes. Now it’s being used to treat migraine headaches and chronic low back pain.
95 Percent OK Prescription Farm WorkCosmetic use of botulinum toxin type A has become widespread with many celebrities viewing it as less intrusive and/or artificial than other types of plastic surgery. The results of cosmetic procedures vary but can last up to eight months.
By Dr. Gifford Jones
I recently reported that many women in hostels were spending government cheques on crack cocaine. That they refused to clean their rooms claiming they had “rights”. My medical prescription was “farm work for a year” and I applauded Singapore’s method of dealing with drug pushers. I asked readers for their opinion.
A social worker writes,” I’ve spent 30 years with these problems and nothing has changed about substance abuse. And I’ve seen the terrible effect of crack-cocaine on babies first hand. There should be harsh penalties starting at the bottom of the drug hierarchy. The top people can’t be touched due to smart lawyers.”
The Best Prescription: “Farm Work”By Dr. Gifford Jones
This week I want to see if I’m out in left field or if other Canadians share my opinion. That the best medical prescription for some people is “farm work”.
Several of my patients who work in women’s hostels say they enjoy helping the disadvantaged and new immigrants to Canada. But the resident women on crack cocaine irritate them.
Rats Get Priority Over HumanBy Dr. Gifford Jones
Why write about rats as we start 2002? Surely there are more relevant topics to discuss. But as we begin another year I wonder why rats receive more humane treatment than humans! Will we ever get our priorities straight?
Let’s assume you’re a scientist using rats to find a cure for diabetes. How you conduct your research and handle rats is governed by the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC). This organization was established in 1968 to make certain all animals were treated in a humane way.
Doctors Should Prescribe Marijuana For Those who Need itBy Dr. Gifford Jones
I’ve been a medical journalist for 27 years. It’s made me a terrible skeptic. But for good reason. I’ve seen too many distortions of the truth in medicine. I’ve seen too many colleagues sit-on-the-fence rather than take a stand on controversial issues. I’ve seen too many fight the use of painkillers when they could ease the agony of dying cancer patients. Above all else I’ve seen too often a complete void of common sense. Now I’m seeing it again, patients who need marijuana to ease their suffering but can’t obtain it.
New “Sahara Desert” Drug Cures Head LiceBy Dr. Gifford Jones
Why am I scratching my head? It’s because I’m writing about head lice and even the thought of having this crawly beast, “Pediculosis capitis”, in my hair triggers this reaction. It also makes me understand the traumatic, emotional and embarrassed reaction of parents (and child) when they’re told, “Sarah (or Johnnie) has head lice”. Now that school has started, over a million parents in this country will hear this news. Fortunately, a new “Sahara Desert” treatment rids families of this common pest.
Don’t Let Disease Claim Your Life!By Felicia Benamon
I am prompted to write this article based on what just happened. I’ve been watching TV lately and have seen how many Americans have been diagnosed with many diseases and are dying of various cancers. I began taking notes in anticipation of doing another article to tell people about the benefits of doing a cleanse.
Rosacea : An Overlooked Skin ConditionBy Dr. Gifford Jones
What did former President Bill Clinton have to blush about? We all know the answer to that delicate question! Like Princess Diana, Rosie O’Donnell and the comedian W.C. Fields, he also suffered from Rosacea.
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