Fever fights infection. In all species and humans fever is the First line of defence and lowering fever increases mortality. Frustrating to see how marketing is used to blitz the people of the devloping world from the famous brand names of the corporate world. Be it sugar laden Coke or liver toxic Tylenol/Crocin. We travelled to Sri Lanka for the first time this winter. it was lovely. It was sad to see that almost every small shop in the marketplace had a sign selling Crocin. The technique is also rampant in India. The brand du jour pays for the sign and the small shop gets to also display their own name. Crocin is Tylenol in N America. Acetaminophen and paracetamol are other names. It is sold worldwide. This commonly used drug is toxic especially when combined with other drugs or alcohol. It's toxicity has been underestimated. Unfortunately most people, doctors being no exception, just assume it is safe and that it can be taken with impunity. The truth is acetaminophen w

Bleach your kitchen counters. Kill all microbes. Is that wise? Let us understand the risks. Cases of food poisoning have increased since the 70’s. Strawberries, sprouts and now spinach. And green onions. All from mega producers and consumers of millions of pounds yearly of the products. " In the spring and summer of 1982, McDonald's held a special promotion -- two burgers for the price of one -- that led to the first reported outbreak of E Coli a food-borne bacterial infection that now sweeps the nation with some regularity." McDonald's, Jack in the Box, Schwan, Taco Bell, Taco John ...the beat goes on and on! Concentration in agriculture processes of meat, dairy and vegetable production and increasing importation of fruits and vegetables from countries with poor hygiene is likely the major reason. "Billions of farm animals are overcrowded in stressful, unsanitary sheds, pens, cages and stalls; no wonder we are increasingly plagued with infectious food-b

I used to love going to India. But progress came rapidly. Now I go because my family is there. And like others leave the city every chance I get. Motors,  electric and gasoline took over all aspects of life. Everyone wanted to do everything faster and quiet was owned in common by all so like our clean air was free for all to plunder. And each year the horns got more in number as well as loudness. The honk of the car became a scream.  As noise ( link to noise and health) increased the noise makers became noisier The old bus horns became the ear splitting air horns.   The old train whistles became louder . And people became angry? And more,  And more became deaf . WHY. Read this link also. And a long article in Hindi that I wrote for Rajasthan Patrika when the train whistle at night first got to me in 2006! Available by email only. Horn bajaana Gaali dena!