HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: km@cs.pitt.edu (Ken Mitchum)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Malpractice database
Date: 12 Nov 92 21:33:05 GMT
Reply-To: km@cs.pitt.edu (Ken Mitchum)
Organization: Univ. of Pittsburgh Computer Science

In article <Nov.5.11.07.40.1992.4970@cadenza.rutgers.edu> masticol@cadenza.rutgers.edu (Steve Masticola) writes:
>
>I heard that there is a database on malpractice suits and punitive
>actions against MDs. If so, does anyone know how to get access to it?
>I think this would be very handy to check up on the competence of a
>prospective MD.

The database is called the National Practitioners Data Bank (or
something very similar) and is not accessible by the public.

While punitive actions against physicians might be helpful, malpractice
information would not. Both settlements as well as lost suits are
reported to the Data Bank, and settlements may be at the insistence of
an insurance company in its own economic interests, not because the
doctor did anything wrong. Also, as has been pointed out here before,
the very best physicians are involved in the most suits, as they are
working with the highest-risk patients and the most risky procedures.

I am concerned with physician competence, as I hire physicians. I can
tell far more about a physician from interviewing him or her and
speaking with his or her colleagues than from the Data Bank.
While you may not be able to do this as a patient selecting a doctor,
you might be able to check with nurses that you know, and with other
patients. 

 -km
From: dlb@fanny.wash.inmet.com (David Barton)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: GRAVITY-NEUTRALIZING CHAMBER
Date: 5 Nov 92 14:26:10 GMT
Organization: Intermetrics Inc., Washington Division, USA

In article <1992Nov4.182934.2115@cnsvax.uwec.edu>
mcelwre@cnsvax.uwec.edu writes:

[all deleted.]

My god.  McElwaine can't sell this in any other sci group, so he trys
to sell it on sci.med.  Hope springs eternal, I guess.

For further derision, see sci.physics or sci.energy.

					Dave Barton
					dlb@hudson.wash.inmet.com
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: woodgold@emr1.emr.ca (Cathy Woodgold)
Subject: Re: Allergens in Breastmilk
Organization: Energy, Mines, and Resources, Ottawa
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 18:10:26 GMT

In article <1992Nov6.154207.14248@cbfsb.cb.att.com> kja@cbnewsf.cb.att.com (krista.j.anderson) writes:
>Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, just a layperson, and I'm only using
>            one source here.
>
>When I posted about cow's milk "allergy", I was remiss in not
>mentioning allergens in human breastmilk.  While I don't totally
>understand the mechanism by which whole proteins from the digestive
>system can end up in breastmilk, apparently they sometimes can get
>past digestive enzymes, past antibodies and through the liver and
>into the general bloodstream.
>[stuff deleted]
>Food Antigens that Ended Up in Breastmilk (n=81)
>
>Cow's milk               81%
>Egg                      15%
>Wheat                    11%
>Citrus fruit             10%
>Chocolate                 2%
>[stuff deleted]

I read something from the La Leche League that said that the reason
cow's milk protein is such a problem is that it contains "straight
proteins".  I presume this means molecules with a long, thin, shape.
The straight proteins can fit through small holes in the gut more
easily than other proteins.
   Another reason why cow's milk protein is a problem was described
in sci.med.nutrition (Subject:  Milk and diabetes):  Part of one
of the cow's milk proteins is so similar to one of the proteins in
our body that it induces auto-immune responses, apparently causing
juvenile diabetes and other problems.

Cathy  woodgold@emr1.emr.ca  Ottawa, Canada  My personal opinions
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: nancy@genie.slhs.udel.edu (Nancy Lebovitz)
Subject: Re: Malpractice database
Organization: UDel, School of Life & Health Sciences
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1992 12:15:18 GMT

In article <17458@pitt.UUCP> km@cs.pitt.edu (Ken Mitchum) writes:
>In article <Nov.5.11.07.40.1992.4970@cadenza.rutgers.edu> masticol@cadenza.rutgers.edu (Steve Masticola) writes:
>
>I am concerned with physician competence, as I hire physicians. I can
>tell far more about a physician from interviewing him or her and
>speaking with his or her colleagues than from the Data Bank.
>While you may not be able to do this as a patient selecting a doctor,
>you might be able to check with nurses that you know, and with other
>patients. 

This reminds me of something that I've been wondering about--how do
the doctors in this group go about selecting a physician? If it's by
interview, what questions do you ask? 

Nancy Lebovitz
nancy@genie.slhs.udel.edu
From: bwhite@oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu (William E. White )
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Legality/availability of l-tryptophan through import
Date: 7 Nov 92 07:58:40 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: O.U., Harvard on the Hocking, Berkeley in the Boondocks!

I had posted this question elsewhere but got no response, and I was
advised to ask here. 

Two questions:
    1. Given that l-tyrptophan has been banned as a food additive and
       drug (but I don't think it's actually a controlled substance
       scheduled with the DEA), is it legal or illegal to ship it
       across the border (either one)?  (Note: I assume the restriction
	   has not been lifted by the FDA)
    2. Is l-tryptophan available from Canada or Mexico?

If nothing else, does anyone know who I might ask (e.g., does the FDA
have a question-and-answer line?)

Please respond via email.

-- 
|  Bill White   +1-614-594-3434     | bwhite@oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu             |
|  31 Curran Dr., Athens OH  45701  | bwhite@bigbird.cs.ohiou.edu (alternate) |
|  SCA: Erasmus Marwick, Dernehealde Pursuivant, Dernehealde, Middle Kingdom  |
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: jat8419@ritvax.isc.rit.edu (TRAUMA JUNKIE)
Subject: Re: 8 glasses of water a day?
Reply-To: jat8419@ritvax.isc.rit.edu
Organization: Rochester Institute of Technology
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 15:29:29 GMT

the reason they say to drink 8 glasses of water a day, is that is supposefly helps to curb your appetite.  I drink a lot when I eat a meal, and that helps me not to eat as much.  
	It may work on the same principle as negative calorie foods, like lettuce.  It takes more calories to digest the food, than is actually in the food.
You get full, and loose calories.  IT 

That is what I have read but:
hunger is controlled by something similar to BGL.  water doesn't contain any sugars, so it really shouldn't make you feel less hungry.  Does anyone know how water curbs an appetite..If at all
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John A. Ternay
Emergency Medical Services Certified First Responder
Pre-Medical Studies				R.I.T. Ambulance
MD2B					Cornwall Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
			"Trauma Junkie"
            "We make house-calls....all night long"
                                                   
From: garyn@hprpcd.rose.hp.com (Gary Nichols)
Date: Tue, 3 Nov 1992 16:53:41 GMT
Subject: Re: snoring while awake / rattling valve in nose
Organization: HP Roseville Site
Newsgroups: sci.med

In sci.med, n9020351@henson.cc.wwu.edu (James Douglas Del-Vecchio) writes:


    	I have this thing that's like a valve in one nostril,
    it lets me breathe in, but not out.   It gets worse during colds, 
    and unlike a normal stuffy nose, it is not relieved _at all_ by 
    anti-congestion nose sprays.  It seems to be getting worse
    with time but I could be imagining that. 

    	On the inhale, the last few days with my cold, it "flaps" or 
    rattles like a loud snore (or a quiet chainsaw), allowing me some
    air.  On the exhale it closes up to become essentially air-tight.

    	It reminds me of those ball-valves in a snorkel.  It gives me 
    this claustraphobic feeling that I just can't shake sometimes, like
    if I can't be free of it, and just _breathe_ right for once, I'll wig.

    Sometimes I wake up and my tounge is mummified from mouth breathing,
    and sometimes I wig (i.e. it triggers feelings of anxiety) and can't 
    sleep because I'm not breathing right, especialy when I get a cold.

    Anyone ever had this?   Is it something that requires a hideous and 
    expensive operation or merely something that can go away by itself?
    Is there a name for it, or is this post merely the ravings of a 
    hypercondriac?

    %^)

    Jim Del Vecchio

You've probably got nasal polyps..  I've got 'em. (several)  They are common
amongst people with allergies. The explanation I've heard which makes some
sense is that with all of the swelling and shrinking of tissue over the years,
it doesn't all shrink back into the same shape, and little "pooched-out" 
hunks of flesh form called polyps. They are not typically the prelude to
any other disease, but they are irritating as the dickens, especially when
the lining swells up to the point where the polyps reach out and touch the
lining on the opposite side of the nostril (they move as you breathe and
tickle the lining, creating a great positive feedback situation that's hard
to back out of....).

They can be removed. I haven't had it done. They can shrink and get better, 
usually if you use drugs to keep the lining from swelling up. The best for me
has been the nasal spray corticoids, but I try not to use stuff unless I have
to.....

Good luck.....

Gary (snort, snore, rattle) Nichols
From: bezenek@plains.NoDak.edu (Todd M. Bezenek KO0N)
Newsgroups: rec.electronics,sci.med
Subject: 455MHz dangerous to pacemaker wearers?
Date: 11 Nov 92 19:46:53 GMT
Article-I.D.: ns1.BxKHM5.Dxt
Distribution: usa
Organization: North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND

Does anyone know whether or not 455 MHz radio frequency radiation is
dangerous to pacemaker wearers?  If so, at what effective radiated power
or voltage (uV/m) density is it dangerous?

Please email a response, and include a published reference (hints are
OK) if possible.

Thank you in advance,
Todd
--
Todd Michael Bezenek, KO0N
bezenek@plains.nodak.edu
From: jrt@omega.kcr.uky.edu (J. Randall Thompson)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Malpractice database
Date: 13 Nov 92 18:49:37 GMT
    <17458@pitt.UUCP> <1992Nov13.121518.8965@genie.slhs.udel.edu>
Organization: Kentucky Cancer Registry, Univ. of Ky

In article <1992Nov13.121518.8965@genie.slhs.udel.edu> nancy@genie.slhs.udel.edu (Nancy Lebovitz) writes:
{..deleted stuff...]
>
>This reminds me of something that I've been wondering about--how do
>the doctors in this group go about selecting a physician? If it's by
>interview, what questions do you ask? 
>
>Nancy Lebovitz
>nancy@genie.slhs.udel.edu

I let my wife choose. She is a registered dietition in private practice and
gets referrals from a variety of sources. SHe is in a good position to observe
both clinical expertice and patient-doctor interactions (from the patients
side of view, mostly). So far she has done an excellant job, although
to date we have only needed the services of IM, OB/GYN, and PEDS.

-- 
[]  J. Randall Thompson                                      jrt@kcr.uky.edu []
[]  University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky                              []
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: bsimon@elvis.stsci.edu (Bernie Simon)
Subject: Re: War on cancer a failure???
Organization: None. This saves me from writing a disclaimer.
	<BSIMON.92Nov3072214@elvis.stsci.edu> <17373@pitt.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 12:38:01 GMT

To me, the War on Cancer is more than the Nixon administration's
effort. It is the continuing expenditure of large sums of research
dollars on cancer by such organizations as the National Cancer
Institute. Although this research has increased our basic knowledge of
the biology of cancer, it has not shown fruit in improved rates of
cure for most types of cancer. I'm not ascribing any blame in this,
for some problems are inherently difficult. Further evidence on the
lack of practical results comes from testimany before Congress this
past summer.  Here's some statements from the House Appropriations
Committee, cited in the July 27, 1992 issue of Washington Fax.  I'm
quoting directly from Washington Fax:

The director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is being encouraged by
the L/HHS subcommittee "to reach beyond the current cancer establishment as
part of a fundamental review of the research programs sponsored by the
Institute.... While the Institute is to be congratulated on many
breakthroughs in molecular biology and other basic cancer research areas,
the committee must express its impatience with the lack of overall
progress.  In 1971, 336,000 Americans died of cancer and the age adjusted
death rate from cancer was 162 per 100,000.  This year more than 500,000
Americans will die of cancer and the mortality rate will have increased by
8%...."



--
Bernie Simon	(bsimon@stsci.edu)		O tempora! O mores!

Newsgroups: sci.med
From: M20614@mwvm.mitre.org (Hugh Pritchard)
Subject: Re: VITREOUS "FLOATERS"
Organization: The MITRE Corporation, McLean VA 22102
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 1992 03:12:28 GMT

In article <1992Nov7.041104.25942@odin.corp.sgi.com>
mepstein@ellis.asd.sgi.com (Michael Epstein) writes:
 
>Has anyone any experience with floaters?
 
Yes; I get them occasionally.
 
>Is there anything that can be done?
 
No, sorry.
 
>Will they ever disappear?
 
Each floater disappears after a day or so, as it gets re-absorbed.
However, more inevitably appear.
 
**  Hugh Pritchard,  hapritch@mitre.org,  703/883-6616
From: mcovingt@aisun3.ai.uga.edu (Michael Covington)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: How Often Are Placebo's Prescribed?
Date: 10 Nov 92 21:37:45 GMT
Article-I.D.: athena.1992Nov10.213745.29017
Organization: AI Programs, University of Georgia, Athens

(1) When you tell the pseudoseizure patient that the placebo injections
"will cause a seizure" and "will stop a seizure" you are telling the truth.
The only deception involved is that you know that this is not the result
of any _chemical_ effect.

(2) When you give physical therapy to a hysteric, you might even be helping
them psychologically.  Exercise could increase a person's awareness of the
normal sensations in the afflicted part of the body, possibly changing the
way they interpret them, couldn't it?

-- 
:-  Michael A. Covington     internet mcovingt@uga.cc.uga.edu 
:-  Artificial Intelligence Programs       phone 706 542-0358
:-  The University of Georgia                fax 706 542-0349
:-  Athens, Georgia 30602-7415 U.S.A.     amateur radio N4TMI
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: taob@r-node.gts.org (Brian Tao)
Subject: Re: GRAVITY-NEUTRALIZING CHAMBER
Organization: R-node Public Access UNIX Information System (416-249-5366)
Date: Sat, 07 Nov 1992 04:53:15 GMT

In article <DLB.92Nov5092610@fanny.wash.inmet.com> dlb@fanny.wash.inmet.com (David Barton) writes:
>
>My god.  McElwaine can't sell this in any other sci group, so he trys
>to sell it on sci.med.  Hope springs eternal, I guess.

    Isn't he the same guy who posted something about "Free Energy" sources
a few weeks ago?  The posting style is similiar (capitalized words,
sensationalism, etc.)  I hope he doesn't start ranting about science still
being in the Dark Ages...
-- 
Brian T. Tao    =*8-) | ::::::::> tcomtaob@chasm.scar.utoronto.ca <::::::::
Dept. of Exobiology   | :::::> generic!terranet!taob@zoo.toronto.edu <:::::
University of Toronto | "Though this be madness, yet there is method in't."
Newsgroups: sci.med,ia.talk.politics
From: dickw@IASTATE.EDU (Richard Wallingford)
Subject: Re: Health Care Costs
Reply-To: dickw@IASTATE.EDU (Richard Wallingford)
Organization: Iowa State University
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1992 21:27:09 GMT

 mikef@bvc.edu writes:

>> 1.  Do you feel that the current U.S. health care system is effective?
>No, I don't.

You've been brainwashed by the media and Clinton.  It may be expensive
and ineffecient in terms of insurance, but it's certainly effective.
If you get cancer, AIDS, heart disease, or just about any other serious
ailment, the U.S. is the place to be! 

>> 2.  Do you feel health care in the U.S. would be improved to switching to a
>>     universal health care system similar to Canadas? (Y/N)
> It sure couldn't hurt to try.
 
Nurse:  "Doctor! The triotrozine isn't working to cure the infected
         hangnail on this patient"

Doctor: "Ok nurse, get me some Drain-o and we'll see if we can boil 
         away the infection. It sure won't hurt to try!"

>> 4.  Would you be willing to pay higher taxes in order to improve the health
>>     care system? (Y/N) 
>Absolutely

The problem is that higher taxes cannot improve the system.  Everybody
wants a free lunch.  Why should an employer be responsible for covering
its employees?   That should be a fringe benefit that is agreed on
at the time of hiring.  If the benefits aren't to your satisfaction,
find a different employer.  

Health care can be simple, especially if you're single:

1.  Self-insure for routine office visits when you get sick. Find a
    lower priced clinic or shop around for the best price.

2.  Pay about $60/month for a $1000 deductable $1 million policy
    for catastrophic illnesses and hospitalization.
    
--
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Dick Wallingford      | Internet: dickw@iastate.edu                  |
|Center for NDE        | Packet  : wd0anb@n0an.ia.usa.na              |
|Iowa State University | I'm not a musician, but I play one in a band | 
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
From: Rick.Ellis@ofa123.fidonet.org
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: flood of repostings
X-Sender: newtout 0.02 Nov  5 1992
Date: 06 Nov 92  16:03:36

On <Nov 03 16:03> Steve Dyer writes:

> * Origin: Medical system Munich - keep YOUR health! (80:100/300.999)

 SD> Some moronic FIDOnet node seems to be responsible for all these
 SD> repostings of earlier sci.med articles.  I've sent mail to
 SD> medsys.gold.sub.org, though if it IS a FIDOnet site, I don't
 SD> have much hope in expecting to reach it.

It is NOT a Fidonet site.
From: nyeda@cnsvax.uwec.edu (David Nye)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: These wierd headaches...
Date: 8 Nov 92 04:45:49 GMT
Organization: University of Wisconsin Eau Claire

In article <BxDDpH.945@srgenprp.sr.hp.com>, jima@sr.hp.com (Jim Adler) writes:
> Having an interested doctor is comforting.  Trouble is, he prescribed
> amitriptyline hcl (10mg), which I think is Elavil, one tablet per day.
> She's been taking 5mg and has become a semi-zombie.  It makes her
> depressed, makes her feel awful, and doesn't completely cover the
> headache.  She'd rather not take the drug, but she's trying to tough it
> out.
> 
> Questions:  will the zombie effect completely subside?  The doctor says
> so, but what's your experience?  How long--2 weeks?  4 weeks?  Is this
> drug just masking the symptoms?  Or does it cure fibromyalgia?

An interested doctor isn't just comforting, it is essential in the
treatment of fibromyalgia, which often takes a lot of time and work
as well as time just talking to straighten things out.  Elavil is
also in my experience essential to its treatment.  If 10 mgs is too
much to start with, as is often the case with fibromyalgia, ask the
doctor if it is OK for her to cut back to 1/2 tab for 3-4 days and
then try going up to 1 again.  I have one patient who is doing
marvelously on 2.5 mgs a day.  There is something different about
the way patients with fibromyalgia metabolize Elavil.  The sedation
will settle down in about 1-2 weeks.  By 2 weeks, patients are often
feeling more awake than before they started the med.  Also did he
mention daily low-impact aerobic exercise?  Hard to get started
with but essential.

Unfortunately, fibromyalgia isn't "cureable".  It may be something
one is born with like migraines.  It usually is possible to get it
under control with regular sleep hours, Elavil, and daily exercise
(83% of patients in my series had a good response).

There is a correlation between TMJ and fibromyalgia, as many
patients with the former seem to get it from the latter.  It is
helpful to treat both.  The standard treatment for simple TMJ
problems is a bite splint worn in the mouth at night. 

There is a mailing list for fibromyalgia if you are interested.
Send a note to DAVIDSON@vmd.cso.uiuc.edu to sign up.  Ask about
old messages.  I posted an article I wrote about fibromyalgia as
well as a copy of the patient information handout we use.  If they
aren't available, let me know and I can email you copies.

David Nye
nyeda@cnsvax.uwec.edu
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: sll@aries.bellcore.com 
Subject: Re: Tourette's Syndrome
Reply-To: sll@aries.bellcore.com
Organization: Bellcore
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 92 14:33:18 GMT


I believe, from what I have heard so far, at least for my nephew,
there needed to be some sort of oral symptoms also.  Oral symptoms
could be the uncontrolled speach, shouting - swearing, or spitting,
grunting etc.  My nephew has always (noticably by age 4-5) had different
types of tics.  He has had eye blinking, knee bending while hunching over,
head jerking etc.  

I don't know if I would call this debilitating.  I am not sure what you
mean by debilitating.

From what I have seen in liturature so far, there seems to be some 
correlating between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with Tourette's syndrome.

Does anyone have any experience with linking these conditions together?
What about the folks that have had great success through nutritional means
with helping (curing) ADHD.  Has anyone tried nutritional approaches for
people with Tourette's?  

I would be greatful if someone could send the diet they used and got
good results for helping ADHD.  It is worth a try for us.

Sharon
sll@aries.bellcore.com
From: km@cs.pitt.edu (Ken Mitchum)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: War on cancer a failure???
Date: 9 Nov 92 20:53:02 GMT
Reply-To: km@cs.pitt.edu (Ken Mitchum)
Organization: Univ. of Pittsburgh Computer Science

In article <BSIMON.92Nov3072214@elvis.stsci.edu| bsimon@elvis.stsci.edu (Bernie Simon) writes:
|My statement that the war on cancer was largely a failure except for
|some improved methods of detection and some success against relatively
|uncommon forms of cancer was based on the article by John Cairns in
|the November 1985 issue of Scientific American (The Treatment of
|Diseases and the War against Cancer). 

I believe you should distinguish between the "War on Cancer", which was
largely a political ploy of the Nixon administration, and the longer
war on cancer, which is a more thoughtful result of decades of research
on an ongoing basis. Congress may pass a law the effect of which is
"Here is 100 million dollars. Spend it now and come up with a cure for
cancer by next year." This approach is certain to fail, just as a similar
approach for AIDS will. Research and progress just don't happen that way:
you can't "buy" the final outcome.

I did not read the article by John Cairns, but I agree that this has
nothing to do with alternative medicine.

 -km