The test used by the U. S. military service missed the antibodies in 26 out of the 30 cases. It has been suggested that when possible a person who is undergoing surgery which may require blood should give blood to be set aside for their own use after surgery. Over 22,000 AIDS cases have been reported in the United States. Degenerative disease of the retina of the eye was less common in vegetarians. In those vegetarians who did have abnormalities of the eyes, the changes were much less profound than those in non-vegetarians.
Some parents attempt to make pacifiers from baby bottle nipples and cardboard shields.
The New York State Department of Health reports that 10 infant deaths occurred from 1975 to 1983 after nipples were accidentally swallowed. They urge that poorly designed and makeshift pacifiers not be used. A well-designed pacifier will have a wide backing which will not permit the pacifier to be swallowed, and ventilation holes. The health department further urges that strings not be used to tie the pacifier around the infant's neck as these strings may cause strangulation. Nearly half of these episodes were felt to be avoidable.