Cause

Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral skin infection. It is most common amongst children, but can also affect adolescents and adults. It is spread via direct skin contact with an infected person. The incubation period can be up to 2 months.

Clinical features

Molluscum contagiosum is characterised by clusters of small pinkish lumps with pits in the centre, which contain a hard, cheesy substance. They vary in size, but can reach up to 5 mm in diameter. They are usually found on the face, neck or buttocks.

This infection usually clears up naturally after a year or two but, because of its contagious nature, it is wise to discuss treatment with your doctor. The simplest procedure is freezing the lumps with liquid nitrogen, or simply piercing the centre with a sterile needle and squeezing out the contents. The latter should be done by your doctor. The use of benzoyl peroxide solution can help to prevent spread.

*323\90\8*

Grandparents play an important role in a child’s life. They provide the child with love, and may have more time to spend with him than parents, who are often both working. In turn, a grandchild can provide grandparents with much happiness and fulfilment. Elderly people, who may be retired, and especially those who are ill or lonely, may find that the child fills a void for them and adds meaning to their lives.

The benefits to the child of spending time with his grandparents are enormous. He may learn values and priorities from them that he cannot learn from his parents. They may encourage him to be aware of certain important cultural and family traditions, broadening his outlook, and providing him with a sense of his place in history. Besides all this, grandchildren and grandparents can simply have a lot of fun together!

Sometimes disagreements can occur between parents and grandparents about various aspects of the child’s upbringing. It is best if these issues are resolved early on in order to avoid ongoing tension.

*76\90\8*

Go to a well-stocked bookstore and select two hardcover books. Pure fiction only. No “how to do its.” Buy two different color markers and underline interesting parts of the first of the books you read. If you don’t have time to read, you are too stressed and must make more time before you make more love. Make time to talk about the books and the sections that are underlined. Notice your partner’s underlines when you exchange books. Wonder why he or she underlined a given section, how he or she might have felt when reading that particular part.

One husband said, “I noticed at every hotel we stayed at that the women would be reading books more than the men. Just taking time to read nonfiction was a major step, but to read my novel and hers and discuss the same books was a first for us. I got so I felt I was reading along with her when I read the book she underlined.”

“I found it that way, too,” responded his wife. “The worst part was finding time to read. We had to struggle with that, but as you said, that was part of the sig, to use the reading requirements as a test of whether we would make the time for each other.”

*186\97\8*

All relationships end. It is just a matter of how and when. Those “really hot” relationships, the ones that seem very early to be the real thing, are the most likely to have high dumping potential. Getting dumped is one of the most painful of human experiences. Avoid it at all costs.

You avoid getting dumped by not getting too involved, and always watching for the slightest sign of preparatory dumping. When you see it coming, dump first and fast. It is also wise to tell the dumpees that they are being dumped for their own good. This is called the “therapeutic dump,” and is supposed to feel better than other forms of dump. Some of these are:

The Dirty Dump: You have found someone better, have known about it for some time, but have been staying with the dumpee as insurance against your own dumping. Once you are safe, dump.

The Dumb Dump: This occurs when someone gives you false information, probably in order to move in on your dumpee once you have done the dumping. You dump too soon, and you have been fooled into a dumb dump.

The Dangling Dump: This is a highly skilled dumping involving a built-in safety factor. You provide some hope, usually false, that you will take the person back following the dumping. This is done in case your new partner dumps you or your old partner starts to look much better compared to the new one.

The Delayed Dump: This is done when you know far ahead of time that you are going to dump someone, but delay the actual dumping until after a scheduled family event, dance, or other occasion at which people might ask, “Whatever happened to . . . ?” Dumping is easier than explaining.

The Devious Dump: This is done when you know you are going to dump someone right from the start of the relationship, but are too lazy to look for a better match right now. You pre-plan the dump for a personally convenient time, maybe when your work schedule is easier and you have time to deal with the dumping hassle.

*46\97\8*

The most common form of scoliosis is known as idiopathic which really means “of unknown cause”. The common form of scoliosis usually affects the upper part of the spine in the thorax or chest.

It is more common in girls and usually makes its appearance in the 10 to 12 years age group.

Once it develops it may rapidly progress and lead to a severe deformity so that the girl is dwarfed and hunchbacked.

However, it can vary from mild to severe, but, because of the rapid progress, it warrants early diagnosis and energetic treatment.

Regular and frequent examination is necessary. This will include X-rays to determine the degree of curvature and how fast it is progressing. Once spinal growth is complete then the condition is stabilised and will not change.

This deformity may not be obvious when first looking at the child, but may become obvious if she is asked to bend forward to touch her toes.

The S curve of the spine and the hump on one side of the back or the chest will then show up.

*555/71/1*

This rash develops around the mouth and may be flat and red or raised with small pimples and leave a clear zone immediately around the mouth.

As soon as the cortisone treatment is reduced or stopped, the rash flares again and is difficult to treat. It appears to be more common in young women, but why is unknown. It responds to the use of small doses of the antibiotic tetracycline given over a long period.

This same treatment has long been used to treat acne. It now appears that the old-fashioned hydrocortisone, which is usually less effective than the newer, more potent, cortisone derivatives, is better to use on the face than potent ones.

However, use all medicines only as prescribed, by the person for whom they were prescribed, and only for the original condition. This may take all the fun out of being your own doctor, but is safer.

*298/71/1*

Recent research on the dental health of children in the northern suburbs of Sydney revealed a great reduction in dental decay, or caries.

In 1960, a study showed more than 90 per cent of TSluldren had active dental decay, yet the recent survey showed less than 25 per cent in the same community were now affected.

The researchers attribute this to the better nutrition of the children and the widespread use of, initially, fluoride tablets and then fluoride in the water supply.

The World Health Organisation has stated that fluoride is a naturally occurring substance in many water supplies, and, provided the content of artificially-placed fluoride is carefully monitored, the advantages appear to be overwhelming.

Despite this evidence, the anti-fluoride lobby continues to decry the process and, recently, the propaganda has been that fluoride can cause cancer.

There is no valid scientific evidence to support such a connection, but when the charges are repeated often enough it can worry the layman.

*48/71/1*

If there are secondary growths in the liver, they will gradually replace it. Until over ninety per cent of the liver is destroyed, it is still possible for the remaining cells to do its normal job. The liver’s job is complicated but basically consists of purifying the blood by clearing out various waste products, drugs, etc. The liver also makes some substances which help the blood to clot normally. If less than ten per cent of the liver is functioning, the patient gets yellow jaundice—the eyes and skin look yellow because bile-like substances are not being cleared properly from the blood. (Yellow jaundice also develops when there is a blockage ol the bile system, for example, with gall stones—it does not necessarily mean a disease of the liver itself.) Because the blood does not clot as well as normal, a patient with a failing liver bruises and bleeds easily. Fluid tends to accumulate in the body, especially in the abdominal cavity. Often there is no pain because pain only occurs if the cancer deposits break through or stretch I he sensitive outer lining of the liver. As the liver enlarges it tends to press on the stomach, causing loss of appetite and sometimes nausea. There are drugs which can help this. Gradually impurities build up so much in the blood, that the patient becomes tired and drowsy and eventually loses consciousness altogether and dies.

*55/40/1*