HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: turpin@cs.utexas.edu (Russell Turpin)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Yes, please, an update post?  (was: New Adiposity 101)
Date: 14 Aug 1992 14:35:13 -0500
Organization: U Texas Dept of Computer Sciences, Austin TX
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

-*----
In article <16064@pitt.UUCP> geb@dsl.pitt.edu (gordon e. banks) writes:
> Chuck, do you suppose you could post a file that has the new
> stuff in it or in some other way highlight the new stuff?

I would like that also.  Chuck digs up some interesting
information.

Russell
From: mcovingt@athena.cs.uga.edu (Michael A. Covington)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: ********  MICROWAVE HAZARDS *******
Summary: No hazard from properly built oven, because no microwaves escape
Date: 19 Aug 92 03:54:20 GMT
Organization: University of Georgia, Athens

In response to Mr. Ng's question, microwave ovens are very well shielded.
The microwave field strength two or three inches from the oven is very low.
(The holes in the grating across the window are much smaller than the
wavelength and hence do not cause leakage.)

Problems arise if:
 (a) the shielding is tampered with (I've heard of people back in the 1950s
who ran their microwave ovens with the doors removed), or
 (b) the shielding becomes damaged (mainly, the door doesn't close properly).

Police radars are different because there is nothing to stop their beam
from being aimed right at a person at close range.  You're safe in your
car (the field strength there is barely detectable, hence the technology
race to build super-sensitive radar detectors).  A police officer who uses
the equipment all day, and is much closer to it, might not be so safe.
-- 
+ Michael Covington - Artificial Intelligence Programs - U of Georgia - USA 
+ Unless otherwise noted, these are private opinions, not official statements.
+ VOTE NO GEORGIA LOTTERY - don't tie education to an unpredictable income.
From: km@speedy.cs.pitt.edu (Ken Mitchum)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: stomach tube
Date: 23 Aug 92 12:24:19 GMT
Reply-To: km@cs.pitt.edu (Ken Mitchum)
Organization: Computer Science Dept., University of Pittsburgh

In article <473@nos850.UUCP> bunnym@nos850.UUCP (Bunny Miller) writes:

>The reason that I ask is my 75 year old grandmother has been placed in a
>nursing home because she passed out from not eating. 

There are three general ways to feed someone who will not eat.  The
easiest is nasogastric tube ("NG tube"), which is inserted through the
nose. Patients pull these out with ease. Gastrostomy tubes ("G tubes")
and its variants are tubes through the abdominal wall into the
stomach. These are better tolerated than NG tubes on a chronic basis.
The third method is intravenous hyperalimentation ("hyperal") which
required much more in the way of followup with blood tests, etc..

But this is a side issue. The central issue here is not whether
your grandmother needs a feeding tube or not, but why is she
not eating? If the answer is that she suffers from depression,
you are doing her a disservice by not supporting her with feedings
of some type. Depression is potentially reversible, while the
effects of malnutrition may not be. If the answer is because she
suffers from severe dementia, you may not be doing her any favor
at all by feeding her. If the answer is some other medical problem,
then the rationale for or against a tube may vary. But you must
answer the central question first.

 -Ken Mitchum MD
 km@cs.pitt.edu
From: russ@wpg.com (Russell Lawrence)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Mercury in dental fillings?
Date: 22 Aug 92 19:34:50 GMT
Organization: WP Group

From article <2793@tivoli.UUCP>, by dfavor@logan.tivoli.com (David Favor):
df> would I eat or drink mercury? no. would I drill holes in my teeth and
df> pour it in there for years? no.

Would you eat or drink acrylic resin?  no.  Yet, it appears that you
would drill holes in your teeth and pour it in there for years.  Why?

df> is it safe?  asking a Dentist or the AMA about the safety of 
df> mercury seems to me to be about like asking an insurance sales 
df> person if I need a particular type of insurance...  this seems to 
df> me to be a conflict of interest.  

Asking a dentist about the safety and durability of acrylic
composites may also present a conflict of interest.   So, let's
ask some questions that will help us compare these conflicts:

1) which restoration is more profitable initially: amalgam 
restorations or acrylic composite restorations?  

2) which type of restoration causes more pulpal reactions,
and hence, additional work: amalgam restorations or acrylic composite 
restorations?  

3) which type of restoration is more resistent to occlusal wear,
and hence, lasts longer: amalgam restorations or acrylic composite
restorations?

You'll find the answer to question #1 in the fee schedules published
at yearly intervals by the ADA as well as in several consumer handbooks,
notably Jerry Taintor's consumer guidebook to oral health.

You'll find the answer to question #2 in any recent endodontics 
textbook.  My favorite is Cohen, _Pathways to the Pulp_.  
Alternatively, you could use a service like Medline to search for 
articles related to adverse reactions from amalgam vs. composites.  

You'll find the answer to question #3 in the periodic reports 
published in JADA by the ADA's council on dental materials.

I haven't re-evaluated the findings in the past 24 months, but the
last time I checked, amalgam was greatly superior to composite in 
economy, bio-compatibility, and wear-resistance.

df> I went through a multi-year interviewing process looking for a 
df> Dentist to remove the mercury from my mouth.  I had no doubts 
df> when I met my current Dentist...

What was the basis for your desire to have the amalgams removed
from your mouth?

-- 
Russell Lawrence, WP Group, New Orleans (504) 443-5000
russ@wpg.com   uunet!wpg!russ
From: fzjaffe@othello.ucdavis.edu (Rory Jaffe)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: amnesiac drugs
Date: 16 Aug 92 03:52:59 GMT
Organization: University of California, Davis

I've had 3 groups of people not want amnesiacs:
1. Those who would have a memorable intraop experience--mothers having
C-sections amnesiacs are almost never given), people having
arthroscopies where they could see the inside of their knee on TV.

2. Calm people undergoing a procedure which is not inherently
distressful (e.g. a minor operation where local or regional anesthesia
gives complete comfort).

3. People who are inmates at Folsom Prison (a local maximum-security
prison where some of the worst offenders in California are housed).
They didn't want to lose control, and were always paranoid that someone
would "get" them if they weren't watchful--a useful attitude to have
while in a rough prison.
From: dyer@spdcc.com (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Atkins Diet
Date: 15 Aug 92 04:45:20 GMT
Article-I.D.: spdcc.1992Aug15.044520.10186
Organization: S.P. Dyer Computer Consulting, Cambridge MA

Ketogenic diets (a la the Atkins diet) are sometimes used to treat some
seizure disorders which can't be controlled by other means.  Gordon
would probably have a better idea about their efficacy and palatability.
I suspect it's scaping the bottom of the therapeutic barrel.

-- 
Steve Dyer
dyer@ursa-major.spdcc.com aka {ima,harvard,rayssd,linus,m2c}!spdcc!dyer
From: abc@brl.mil (Brinton Cooper)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Nonalcoholic beer
Date: 20 Aug 92 19:48:55 GMT
Organization: The US Army Research Laboratory

In article <1992Aug17.115049.26618@aoa.aoa.utc.com> carl@aoa.aoa.utc.com (Carl Witthoft) writes:

>I'd like to ask a question concerning so-called nonalcoholic
>beer, which, according to the label, has less than 1% or 0.5%
>alcohol.
>Do MDs who work in substance-abuse programs consider this to be
>an alcohol drink which alcoholics should not drink?  What is
>the general position of AA on this product?

Obviously, the question refers to the physiological aspects of
"addiction."  As smokers and others know, there are
psychological, non-physical addiction-like feelings which can be just as
strong.

AA members whom I know tell me that AA does not take a "general
position" on anything outside of their program for helping recovering
alcoholics. Individuals have told me, however, that drinking something
that *tastes* like beer (The labels generally call them "brews," not
"beers.") may be risky because it reminds the recovering alcoholic of
all the feelings, physical and psychological, associated with drinking
the real thing.

_Brint
-- 
_Brinton Cooper 
<abc@brl.mil>, <cooper@udel.edu>, or  <ab.cooper@compmail.com>
Xref: sparky sci.med:16248 misc.kids:21692
From: karen@angelo.amd.com (Karen Black)
Newsgroups: sci.med,misc.kids
Subject: Re: Hepatitis vaccine
Date: 23 Aug 92 09:42:15 GMT
Organization: Advanced Micro Devices, Santa Clara, CA

stanzi@media.mit.edu (Constance "Stanzi" Royden) writes:

>To repeat what I said in a previous post--This vaccine is extremely safe.
>Large studies have shown that it is safe and effective.  There is a small
>risk to injecting anything into a person--that's the risk of an allergic
>reaction.  This risk is extremely small.

I'm two-thirds of the way through my HBV immunization (shots two and
three are one and six months after the first).  I've had no bad reaction
at all.  One may have an allergic reaction if one is allergic to yeast
(since yeast is the "growth medium" for the vaccine); otherwise, the
main effect seems to be some soreness at the injection site.

Karen Black
From: graham@venus.iucf.indiana.edu (JIM GRAHAM)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Epidural pump..need info
Date: 17 Aug 92 06:26:05 GMT
Reply-To: graham@venus.iucf.indiana.edu
Distribution: na
Organization: Somewhere in Bloomington, Indiana
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.3-4

It seems that I am a candidate for either an epidural pump, or a
surgical sympathectomy.

Unfortunately, when my doctor informed me, I was in too much pain
and half out of it from the morphine injection to care enough about
asking him for more information.

Would someone please describe to me what an epidural pump is, how
it is "installed", and how the medication is administered?

Is it just a permanently implanted IV port, or is it really a "pump"?

Thanks for any help, 

Jim Graham 

        -> ->Disclaimer: I do not speak for my company. <- <-
                          Neither do they speak for me.
 ______________________________________________________________________
| Internet: graham@venus.iucf.indiana.edu                              |
|           dolmen!jgraham@moose.cs.indiana.edu                        |
| BBS:      The PORTAL DOLMEN BBS/ParaNet ALPHA-GAMMA (sm) (9:1012/13) |
|            (812) 334-0418, 24hrs.                                    |
|______________________________________________________________________|
From: plebrun@vub.UUCP (Philippe Lebrun)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Knee Surgery - Reconstructive
Date: 19 Aug 92 12:38:47 GMT
Organization: Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels

In article <92231.002443TRM900@psuvm.psu.edu>, TRM900@psuvm.psu.edu (Tony R. Marasco) writes:
> A friend of mine needed reconstructive surgery performed on her knee.  This
> was required after she sustained an injury while playing basketball over
> the summer.  The doctors say her healing is on schedule.  She says she
> can almost walk without crutches, but still uses one.  Her surgery was
> performed in mid-July and rehabilitation began last week.  Does this seem
> like decent progress?

I can't give much of an opinion without knowing what operation your friend had.
The most common sort of reconstructive surgery around the knee is anterior
cruciate ligament repair, which has been common for a long time.
Beginning rehab after four weeks seems OK if she was put in a cast. However,
the tendency these days is to start passive exercises immediately after
operation, but wait six weeks before more active workouts. 
The outcome depends on the technique, among many other things. In my
opinion, the best techniques use a tendon taken from somewhere else on the
body (eg. patellar tendon) as a graft. Results are usually good for a few
years. In the long run (>10 years), the grafts or sutures or whatever end
up loose and premature wearing of the knee, ie. arthritis, is inevitable.
Once again, this only concerns ACL surgery, and makes a very long story very
short.

-philippe
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: rrempel@selkirk.sfu.ca (Rodney Dwight Rempel)
Subject: Re: Jarvik 99 (was Magnetic Therapy)
Organization: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1992 18:19:41 GMT

terry@ithaca.Eng.Sandy.Novell.COM (Terry Lambert) writes:

>In article <1992Aug19.095038.8691@doug.cae.wisc.edu> kolstad@cae.wisc.edu (Joel Kolstad) writes:
>>In article <1470190@hpwrce.mayfield.hp.com> kingsley@hpwrce.mayfield.hp.com (Kingsley Morse) writes:

>[ ... "Magnetic beds speed healing" ... ]
>>>There are several competing theories though: increased blood flow, quantum
>>>interactions, magnetic resonance (w/ electric field), vibration of electron
>>>orbits shifted off their axis, hall effect...
>>
>>Um, those don't sound like theories to me, they sound like effects of magnetic
>>fields on things in the body (other than "increased blood flow," and you have
>>to find a reason for that).  Hopefully your competing theories explain
>>WHY these effects promote healing! 

>Announcing the Jarvik 99 MHD blood pump!

>Our extensive research laboratory has shown that iron lungs prolong life
>in patients better than implantable replacements*!

>Taking this brilliant observation** into account, and after a recent late
>night screening of "The Hunt for Red October", and one of the team saying
>"Hey!  Don't blood cells have iron in 'em?!?", our engineers have
>developed the iron heart (tm)!

>The iron heart uses the latest in Soviet Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) technology!


... lines of cute, humor deleted....

Gee, I wonder why some people are talking about moderating this group???

Rod Rempel - rrempel@sfu.ca
Department of Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University 
... if two million people do a stupid thing it's still a stupid thing.

Newsgroups: sci.med
From: M20614@mwvm.mitre.org (Hugh Pritchard)
Subject: Re: far- and narrowsight operations?
Organization: The MITRE Corporation, McLean VA 22102
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1992 18:05:24 GMT

> hello! I just read that far- and narrowsighted persons could have an
>operation in which you cut the eye with a laser, so that a small scar
>builds to make a refraction to compensate. Does anybody have any info
>on this?? anything will be appreciated beyond horizons!
 
You are referring to radial keratotomy (RK).  RK can help only those people
with myopia -- nearsightedness.
 
Traditional RK, as developed in the Soviet Union, involves making shallow
cuts in the cornea in a radial pattern (like the spokes of a wheel).  While
healing, the cornea hopefully will "fall in" upon itself, healing into a
flatter, better shape.
 
This is done with a knife (microtome).  A procedure using a laser (an excimer
laser) to shape the cornea is under development, and it is still experimental.
It's called photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).
 
**  Hugh Pritchard,  hapritch@mitre.org,  703/883-6616
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: pdsmith.mitre.org (Pat Smith)
Subject: Re: Don't moderate sci.med
Organization: The MITRE Corporation
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1992 20:11:04 GMT

In article <1992Aug19.211233.18467@newstand.syr.edu>, mdkline@rodan.acs.syr.edu (Mark D. Kline) writes:
> 
> 
> It has been suggested that sci.med be moderated.  I oppose the idea;
> sci.med works, imho, despite the occasional doctor-bashing and new

There is nothing wrong with dr bashing.  There are good and bad in every field
and I sure appreciate prior knowledge of the bad when dealing with my 
health.  

> age/homeopathic crystals and apricot pits.  I would hate to see sci.med
> become the electronic equivalent of the "Ask The Doctor" column in your
> local newspaper.  Medical pros on the net can answer the technical
> medical questions and nonmedical pros on the net can tell each other
> what its like to undergo this or that procedure with or without
> amnestic drugs.  Both kinds of exchanges are potentially valuable,
> and would be slowed down by moderation.   People are entitled to
> opinions, even in the absense of facts or logic to support them.
> Such are usually obvious and may provide amusement.  
> 
> "If it ain't broke don't fix it."
> 
> --
> ================================================================= 
> mark kline                              mdkline@rodan.acs.syr.edu
> suny health science center, syracuse    voice: (315) 422-1050
> ================ courtesy of syracuse university ================
> 
>
From: draper@gnd1.wtp.contel.com (PAM DRAPER)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: OXY-10 and tumors
Date: 20 Aug 92 17:35:24 GMT
Reply-To: draper@gnd1.wtp.contel.com
Distribution: usa
Organization: GTE Government Systems, Federal Systems Division, Chantilly, VA
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.3-4

I recently read that Oxy-10 has caused skin tumors on rats and that you
should use it with caution.  I was wondering if anyone new if there
was any foundation to this especially in light that there seemed to be
no true foundation to the hair dye causing cancer scare.
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: mu299af@sdcc3.ucsd.edu (G. Y.)
Newsgroups: sci.med,sci.bio,sci.chem
Subject: Shark Cartilage and cancer
Keywords: cancer
Date: 17 Aug 92 19:48:48 GMT
Followup-To: poster


Does anyone at net know anything about Shark cartilage may reduce
tumor in size and make solid tumor necrosis?  I also heard that a
doctor called Van Zandt works at Hoxsey Clinic in Mexico did
clinical trials.  Any comments?  Are those natural products have
very limited side effects?  Appreciated for any helpful information.

Gary
mu299af@sdcc3.ucsd.edu
From: geb@dsl.pitt.edu (gordon e. banks)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Sympathectomy..questions.
Date: 22 Aug 92 12:56:25 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Decision Systems Laboratory, Univ. of Pittsburgh, PA.

In article <Bt99z3.7B2@usenet.ucs.indiana.edu> graham@venus.iucf.indiana.edu writes:

>
>1.) What exactly is done during the operation?

The sympathetic chain is severed in the abdomen.

>2.) What are the lifelong "side-effects" if any?

Loss of control to the leg's vascular bed, with possible difficulty
in maintaining blood pressure due to pooling of blood in the leg
when upright posture is assumed.

>3.) Is it considered major or minor surgery?

Fairly major.

>4.) Other comments?

You should not rely on the net for this information.  You
should be addressing these questions to the surgeon.  His
approach may differ from the standard procedure.
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and
geb@cadre.dsl.pitt.edu   |  it is shameful to surrender it too soon." 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Magnetic Therapy
From: Robin.Salmansohn@f715.n273.z1.fidonet.org (Robin Salmansohn)
Date: 13 Aug 92 12:59:33 GMT
Organization: FidoNet node 1:273/715 - Alternative Lifesty, Wyndmoor PA


 To: rkoo1@napier.uwaterloo.ca (zero)
 
 z> Everyone has heard about "magnetic" devices such 
 z> as belts, sandals, wrist straps
 z> etc. that are worn about the body and are supposed 
 z> to have healing effects just
 z> by wearing them. I have heard of magnetic rings 
 z> that are supposed to prevent
 z> migrane headaches and belts that help reduce weight etc.
 z> Do these things actually work and if so how? Or 
 z> are they just another ripoff
 z> product aimed at deceiving the public?
 z> (I have seen entire stores dedicated to the sale of these things.)
 
They are most certainly a ripoff. And for some people, they are lethal.
(They can turn off a pacemaker, or alter it's programming).


 

--  
Internet: Robin.Salmansohn@f715.n273.z1.fidonet.org
Newsgroups: sci.med,news.answers
From: geb@dsl.pitt.edu (gordon e. banks)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Incidence of Hemorrhage from CBZ?
Date: 18 Aug 92 16:33:20 GMT
Organization: Decision Systems Laboratory, Univ. of Pittsburgh, PA.

In article <9815.2A8BA7EB@stjhmc.fidonet.org> Robin.Salmansohn@f715.n273.z1.fidonet.org (Robin Salmansohn) writes:
>What is the known incidence of hemorrhaging from Carbamazepine?
>
Quite low.  I've never seen more than bleeding onto the toothbrush.
Transient thrombocytopenia is not uncommon, and initially there
was enough concern that the PDR contained black-bordered warnings
on it, but with more experience this didn't turn out to be much
of a problem, and anymore we don't go through the serial blood
testing that we used to.  If you are worried, CBC with platelet
checks for a couple of months after starting Tegretol can be done,
but if no severe platelet drops are noted, then it is not necessary
to continue them.
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and
geb@cadre.dsl.pitt.edu   |  it is shameful to surrender it too soon." 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: km@speedy.cs.pitt.edu (Ken Mitchum)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Diabetic coma
Date: 13 Aug 92 00:42:28 GMT
Reply-To: km@cs.pitt.edu (Ken Mitchum)
Organization: Computer Science Dept., University of Pittsburgh

In article <1992Aug12.161731.12721@javelin.sim.es.com> bgeer@javelin.sim.es.com writes:
>      ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>Having this knowledge & imparting it to others are two very different
>things.  His "impartation" is inelegant & he is defensive about that.
>

If it is defensive to think you sound like a total jerk, then I plead
guilty. I post information to this newsgroup in response to questions.
I dont get paid to do it, I risk getting sued in the process, and it
takes time. You wish I would be be more elegant. Get serious.

Have you ever wondered why the vast majority of MDs who look at this
newsgroup pay attention to it for about two days before giving up?
If all the people who love to criticize my choice of words and my
politics would contribute ANYTHING to this newsgroup, this might not
be such a bad forum after all. Instead, people are harping over the
use of "juvenile-onset" and "adult-onset" diabetes. I wonder how
many MDs on the net think these are such bad terms. Yes, I guess
such terms make me appear dated - I did graduate from medical school
13 years ago, which must seem like the dark ages to some of you.

If you want to leave this newsgroup to the alternative medicine,
anti-FDA, CFS and voodo lobby, keep it up.  

 -km



From: John.Willis@p123.f349.n109.z1.fidonet.org (John Willis)
Sender: Uucp@blkcat.UUCP
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: FDA still at large
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 21:02:00 -0500

Gordon recently stated

 > From: geb@dsl.pitt.edu (gordon e. banks)

 > In article <1992Jul28.194121.5255@island.COM>
 > green@island.COM (Robert Greenstein) writes:

 >>known about these benefits for centuries. The amount of nutritional
 >>knowledge that the American medical establishment has could be written
 >>on the head of a pin - in large type.

 > But the amount of nutritional knowledge (as compared
 > to myth) that
 > *you* have wouldn't even fill that space.

Oh, come on guys.  Is it true "that nutrition education programs in U.S. medical
schools are largely inadequate" (National Research Council, Committee on
Nutrition in Medical Education, 1985) ?