“When the great Tao is forgotten, Kindness and morality arise. When wisdom and intelligence are born, The great pretense begins. When there is no peace within the family, Filial piety and devotion arise. When the country is confused and in chaos, Loyal ministers appear.” To those unfamiliar with Daoism (sometimes translated as Taoism), … Read more
A nice simple thought before the general election tomorrow: “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Anne Frank
A meta-anaylsis of research recently published in the British Medical Journal has shown paracetamol has no effect on the experience of lower back pain. The research included a meta-analysis of 13 randomised controlled studies involving nearly 5,400 patients. These studies looked at the effects of paracetamol use compared with placebo. The study showed that for … Read more
The Chinese year of the Sheep began on 19 February. Sheep are the gentlest of all the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac. They are intelligent and creative and often amusing, but they like to do things slowly and quietly in their own way. In fact, they are so slow and careful that they are … Read more
Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia appear to have made a breakthrough in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, which is drug-free and based upon the use of ultrasound. The disease process in Alzheimer’s involves the accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain that destroy synapses, resulting in the symptoms of memory loss and … Read more
The Welcome Collection on Euston Road in London is a real gem. For those of you who have never been there, I would heartily recommend it. Located just around the corner from University College Hospital, this is the museum of the Welcome Trust. As well as as a vast array of texts on medicine and … Read more
Former England and Chelsea footballer, Graeme Le Saux: “I’m a big fan of acupuncture and reflexology. It’s a fantastic way to relieve stress and definitely helps if I’ve got a muscle problem or neck pain.” Former British tennis number one, Tim Henman: “When I’ve had muscle soreness or tightness in my lower back, feet, and … Read more
In 1688, Louis XIV of France sent five Jesuit missionaries to China. They brought back to Europe possibly the first documents on traditional Chinese medicine to reach the west. They interested a few people in the French medical world for a short period of time, and then were largely forgotten. Centuries later, in 1905, George … Read more
In 1971 in the US, President Nixon declared war on cancer. This war has not gone well. In the US, incidence of testicular cancer has risen by 115%, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma by 70%, and breast cancer by 300%. Even when adjusted for increases in longevity, the rates of cancer are far above what would be traditionally … Read more
Postoperative nausea and vomiting affects 30% of general surgery patients, and in high-risk patients can occur in up to 80%. This is the leading cause of failed discharge and hospital readmission. Females are at greater risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), as are those with a history of previous incidence or motion sickness. Many … Read more