Polite Dissent

A variety of Blog-o-Bits from around the internet and blogosphere. While most are medically related — don’t despair! — there are some more light hearted links as well!

• Doc Shazam talks about a case of tetanus in her Emergency Room. She also hits on one of my areas of interest: the often overlooked importance of tetanus immunizations. (All of you have received a tetanus shot within the past ten years…right? Right?)
• Looking at another disease your mother warned you about, CNN gives us a story about four people who apparently came down with botulism after having received a botox injection. This is a weird situation. Botox is a very diluted form of the botulinum toxin, so unless they got an incredibly large dose — or a contaminated vial — I can’t see how the botox led to the botulism.
• Symtym has a thought-provoking collection of articles and references suggesting that Tasers may not be a safe as they are purported to be. It seems that all the relevant experiments proving their safety were done on animals (one pig and five dogs) nearly a decade ago. Certainly, non-lethal means of apprehending people are important, but maybe this one isn’t always the best choice. (Classic Sci-Fi fans take note, apparently the Taser’s name comes from “Tom A. Swift’s Electric Rifle”.)
• DoctorMental has some good thoughts on another favorite topic of mine: drug reps and pharmaceutical companies.
• Comedy Central lists its “100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time.” Interesting reading, if only to start the debate. (Eddie Izzard and Drew Carey got robbed! And where’s Jake Johansen?)
• H.O.P.E. (Horified Observers of Pedestrian Entertainment) and Rhino Records are offering a CD exchange. Send in Jessica Simpson’s CD and they’ll send you something better. That’s not all! They’ll also offer exchanges for the following “performers”: Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Nick Lachey, Jessica Simpson, Creed, Paris Hilton, Limp Bizkit, and any boy band.