Between the bouts of pouring rain and noise from construction workers' tools, my mind was gently meandering as I tried to brighten the mood of an otherwise dull day by imagining on which side of the over-flowing stream that runs by my building, were they trying to build an ark!Suddenly I was jerked back to reality by a Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBC) television news article -- one of our health officials was trying her best to explain that due to the urgent need of a vaccine for the H1N1 virus, not only was there a strong possibility of rationing, but only limited efficacy testing can be done prior to the upcoming so-called "flu season".
Thoughts of the Thalidomide debacle rushed through my mind and I found myself having to take a small glass of "something" to calm my nerves.
After listening intently, I asked myself (quietly, of course): what rational human being would agree to take a vaccine (in whatever form) that had not been tested for a reasonable amount of time (whatever that may be)? The only answer I could come up with is: no one!
To my mind, the problem here is one of awareness and lack of information; Internet articles written by well-respected doctors and nutritionists postulate that the human body knows best as to how to look after itself, so a regimen of good nutrition, personal hygiene, knowledge of your health status, exercise and regular sleep should serve anyone reasonably well.
The article entitled: "Ten Things You're Not Supposed to Know about the Swine Flu Vaccine" should be mandatory reading for everyone you know/care about, so please make sure you spread the word -- registration may be required, but believe me, it's well worth the effort; I especially like reason #10.
I will continue to advocate that Electronic Medical Record (EMR)/Personal Health Record (PHR) systems that show you where you've been (and suggest in which direction you're heading) along with the above-noted habits are basically sufficient -- anything else would be akin to knocking on a door labelled "Trouble"!
Contest
I see we've disappointed the library once more -- no one has identified the country where the picture in my last article was taken, so I was able to return the book without incurring any overdue fines.
For this month, I've found yet another book, and this one's entitled: "The scalpel and the soul" by Allan J. Hamilton, M.D., FACS; I guarantee you'll never again think the same way about the human body; read it if you dare!
So, let's see if you can correctly guess where the above picture was taken -- please check last May's article for the rules.
Hint: Look down under!
Month: August
To your continued good health.
Ernest A. James
President/CEO
Regal Informatics Inc.
