Alternative medicine common in kids; docs unaware

Here’s a quote from the article at the above link:

In places as far apart as Wales and Australia, about half of the children seen at pediatric hospitals are using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), investigators report.

In a second study, British researchers found that children with chronic diseases were three times more likely to use CAM than healthy children.

In both studies, reported in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, the researchers found that parents and their children were unlikely to discuss CAM use with their doctors.

If the study is really representative of what’s happening across the civilized world, then I’m not only concerned about the obvious - the health of the children, but also about medicine as a profession for tomorrow. Children absorb whatever they’re exposed to … a child who is taken to a Chinese medicine specialist whenever he’s sick, is more likely to consider that practice as a valid profession when he’s old enough to decide what he wants to study. How many young minds across the globe are going to be lost to allopathic medicine in favor of the alternative and fringe pseudo-sciences?

Let’s carry that a step further … the children who grow up seeing alternative practitioners, whatever field they enter into as adults, will also be more likely to do the same with their own children … carrying the problem into yet another generation.

This could cost medicine dearly … through those who would have gone into research … all the way to those who would have become Generalists. Fewer people going into medicine is going to slow the advance of our research, and lower the quality of health care across the board. There already aren’t enough physicians going into the Generalist fields.

Here in the states, I keep reading that doctors are giving up their practices because of the condition of our medical system. Most of the doctors who’ve said that were either Internists or Family Practitioners. Compounding that problem is the fact that fewer medical graduates are choosing a General Practice, and a growing number of those who aren’t choosing to specialize along a “classic line” are going into the “newer” branches: e.g. hospitalists, intensivists … etc. …

I believe that in a generation or two, all of these factors are going to come together to create a health crisis in our country the likes of which we’ve never seen before … if medicine can continue as it has for another few generations.

I envision with dread my grandchildren hanging herbs above their babies’ cribs in the hopes of preventing illness … or having to travel untold distances to find a medical doctor. Unless things change, future generations will see the regression of the advances we’ve made thus far, and the progression of a “touchy-feely,” superstitious pseudo-science, which is masquerading as real medicine, and dragging us back into our own medical “dark ages.”

Fox News

Monday, March 06, 2006

Two Federal Courts Rule Partial Birth Abortion Ban Unconstitutional

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Gov. Mike Rounds signed legislation Monday banning nearly all abortions in South Dakota, setting up a court fight aimed at challenging the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.

The bill would make it a crime for doctors to perform an abortion unless the procedure was necessary to save the woman’s life. It would make no exception for cases of rape or incest.

Planned Parenthood, which operates the state’s only abortion clinic, in Sioux Falls, has pledged to challenge the measure in court.

Rounds issued a written statement saying he expects the law will be tied up in court for years and will not take effect unless the U.S. Supreme Court upholds it.

“In the history of the world, the true test of a civilization is how well people treat the most vulnerable and most helpless in their society. The sponsors and supporters of this bill believe that abortion is wrong because unborn children are the most vulnerable and most helpless persons in our society. I agree with them,” Rounds said in the statement.

The governor declined all media requests for interviews Monday.

The Legislature passed the bill last month after supporters argued that the recent appointment of conservative justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito have made the U.S. Supreme Court more likely to overturn Roe v. Wade.

South Dakota’s abortion ban is to take effect July 1, but a federal judge is likely to suspend it during a legal challenge.

Rounds has said abortion opponents already are offering money to help the state pay legal bills for the anticipated court challenge. Lawmakers said an anonymous donor has pledged $1 million to defend the ban, and the Legislature set up a special account to accept donations for legal fees.

Under the new law, doctors could get up to five years in prison for performing an illegal abortion.

Rounds previously issued a technical veto of a similar bill passed two years ago because it would have wiped out all existing restrictions on abortion while the bill was tied up for years in a court challenge.

The statement he issued Monday noted that this year’s bill was written to make sure existing restrictions will be enforced during the legal battle. Current state law sets increasingly stringent restrictions on abortions as pregnancy progresses. After the 24th week, the procedure is allowed only to protect the woman’s health and safety.

About 800 abortions are performed each year in South Dakota. Planned Parenthood has said other women cross state lines to reach clinics.

Dallas Morning News

Mississippi governor backs abortion ban

07:32 PM CST on Wednesday, March 1, 2006

Associated Press

JACKSON, Miss. – Gov. Haley Barbour said Wednesday that he would probably sign a bill under consideration in the state House that would ban most abortions in Mississippi.

The measure, which passed the House Public Health Committee on Tuesday, would allow abortion only to save a woman’s life. It would make no exception in cases of rape or incest.

Mr. Barbour, a Republican, said he preferred an exception in cases of rape and incest, but if such a bill came to his desk: “I suspect I’ll sign it.”

The full House could vote on the bill next week, and it would then go to the Senate.

South Dakota lawmakers passed a similar bill last week that was intended to provoke a legal showdown over Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court ruling establishing the right to an abortion.

The South Dakota measure is awaiting Republican Gov. Mike Rounds’ signature. He has said he is inclined to sign it.

Text of the Bill

News Findlaw.com

South Dakota Women’s Health and Human Life Protection Act (HB 1215) Signed into Law by South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds - March 6, 2006

AN ACT

ENTITLED, An Act to establish certain legislative findings, to reinstate the prohibition against certain acts causing the termination of an unborn human life, to prescribe a penalty therefor, and to provide for the implementation of such provisions under certain circumstances.
# Supreme Court: Roe v. Wade
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:

Section 1. The Legislature accepts and concurs with the conclusion of the South Dakota Task Force to Study Abortion, based upon written materials, scientific studies, and testimony of witnesses presented to the task force, that life begins at the time of conception, a conclusion confirmed by scientific advances since the 1973 decision of Roe v. Wade, including the fact that each human being is totally unique immediately at fertilization. Moreover, the Legislature finds, based upon the conclusions of the South Dakota Task Force to Study Abortion, and in recognition of the technological advances and medical experience and body of knowledge about abortions produced and made available since the 1973 decision of Roe v. Wade, that to fully protect the rights, interests, and health of the pregnant mother, the rights, interest, and life of her unborn child, and the mother’s fundamental natural intrinsic right to a relationship with her child, abortions in South Dakota should be prohibited. Moreover, the Legislature finds that the guarantee of due process of law under the Constitution of South Dakota applies equally to born and unborn human beings, and that under the Constitution of South Dakota, a pregnant mother and her unborn child, each possess a natural and inalienable right to life.

Section 2. That chapter 22-17 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as follows:

No person may knowingly administer to, prescribe for, or procure for, or sell to any pregnant woman any medicine, drug, or other substance with the specific intent of causing or abetting the termination of the life of an unborn human being. No person may knowingly use or employ any instrument or procedure upon a pregnant woman with the specific intent of causing or abetting the termination of the life of an unborn human being.

Any violation of this section is a Class 5 felony.

Section 3. That chapter 22-17 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as follows:

Nothing in section 2 of this Act may be construed to prohibit the sale, use, prescription, or administration of a contraceptive measure, drug or chemical, if it is administered prior to the time when a pregnancy could be determined through conventional medical testing and if the contraceptive measure is sold, used, prescribed, or administered in accordance with manufacturer instructions.

Section 4. That chapter 22-17 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as follows:

No licensed physician who performs a medical procedure designed or intended to prevent the death of a pregnant mother is guilty of violating section 2 of this Act. However, the physician shall make reasonable medical efforts under the circumstances to preserve both the life of the mother and the life of her unborn child in a manner consistent with conventional medical practice.

Medical treatment provided to the mother by a licensed physician which results in the accidental or unintentional injury or death to the unborn child is not a violation of this statute.

Nothing in this Act may be construed to subject the pregnant mother upon whom any abortion is performed or attempted to any criminal conviction and penalty.

Section 5. That chapter 22-17 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as follows:

Terms used in this Act mean:

1. “Pregnant,” the human female reproductive condition, of having a living unborn human being within her body throughout the entire embryonic and fetal ages of the unborn child from fertilization to full gestation and child birth;

2. “Unborn human being,” an individual living member of the species, homo sapiens, throughout the entire embryonic and fetal ages of the unborn child from fertilization to full gestation and childbirth;

3. “Fertilization,” that point in time when a male human sperm penetrates the zona pellucida of a female human ovum.

Section 6. That § 34-23A-2 be repealed.

Section 7. That § 34-23A-3 be repealed.

Section 8. That § 34-23A-4 be repealed.

Section 9. That § 34-23A-5 be repealed.

Section 10. If any court of law enjoins, suspends, or delays the implementation of a provision of this Act, the provisions of sections 6 to 9, inclusive, of this Act are similarly enjoined, suspended, or delayed during such injunction, suspension, or delayed implementation.

Section 11. If any court of law finds any provision of this Act to be unconstitutional, the other provisions of this Act are severable. If any court of law finds the provisions of this Act to be entirely or substantially unconstitutional, the provisions of § § 34-23A-2, 34-23A-3, 34-23A-4, and 34-23A-5, as of June 30, 2006, are immediately reeffective.

Section 12. This Act shall be known, and may be cited, as the Women’s Health and Human Life Protection Act. An Act to establish certain legislative findings, to reinstate the prohibition against certain acts causing the termination of an unborn human life, to prescribe a penalty therefor, and to provide for the implementation of such provisions under certain circumstances.

Source: South Dakota Legislature

L-R: Gregory, Dana, Alexandra, Ben and David, Ruth and Jeffrey. Absent: Eric, the eldest son.

This morning, I attended the most difficult funeral I’ve ever been to in my entire life. I’ve lost many people I’ve loved over the years … both of my parents, so many friends … relatives … many of them took a part of me with them when they left. The funeral I went to this morning - was for someone I’d never met, but it was still the most difficult funeral I’ve ever been to.

Her name was Jillian Gaudett Hadley, and she was almost exactly 3 weeks old. She was the precious daughter of Dana and Ruth Hadley, and both of them are stunned - grieving to their depths.

Ruth miscarried last year, and this year, our entire church held its breath as we watched her progress from month to month in her pregnancy. Our rejoicing that she had carried the baby to term turned to shock and horror when we were told that her baby girl was born with Trisomy 13.

The pain in the church this morning was concentrated … palpable. Gasps were heard along with sobs as the tiny casket was carried to the front of the church by the solemn Hadley children.

Once it was over, my son told me that he could sense where the parents were with his eyes closed because of the intensity of their pain. I know exactly what he meant. I hope that I never ever again have to attend a funeral for a tiny, beloved infant.

Joe and Gloria Allis at our church picnic in 2004. They didn’t bring folding lawn chairs, they brought a folding love seat! They were still so much in love - after over 55 years of marriage. We were all a bit envious - as we’d watch Joe fuss over Gloria, open doors for her … they were like young lovers.

I came home from church after our “mercy meal” for the Hadley family, and rested for a short while before leaving for the funeral parlor. A dear friend passed away on Wednesday - Gloria Allis, also a member of my church. Gloria and Joe came on my ministry’s annual pilgrimage to the Canadian Shrines twice, and we became quite close. Although Gloria was so sick with cancer, they were both always so concerned and solicitous of me … and of everyone they got to know.

Tonight, at the funeral parlor, Joe - looking lost - wanted to know how I was. It made me cry. They’ve both always been like that. I’m so afraid of what will happen to Joe now that Gloria is gone.

Tomorrow morning, I’m going to get up early … and head back out to church - for my second funeral in as many days. This time, I’ll be saying good-bye my dear friend, and trying to give my silent support to a man whom I know feels as if he himself has died.

We are so helpless in the face of so much grief.

Michael C. Hebert, MD - Journal

Excerpt from one of the most hilarious posts I’ve read in a long time:

“But you don’t smoke. Oddly enough, this is the one time in life when there is a material advantage to smoking. Of course, if you want to pay for it yourself, you could get it for a few hundred dollars.”

“Can’t do it, Dr. Hebert.” I was crushed, having blown all my money on lottery tickets. After choking back a sob, I finally said, “I’ll figure something out.”

I stumbled out of the office in a fog. At home, I fixed myself a cup of coffee, and lay on the sofa thinking. As I stared at my stomach, I swore I could see it pulsating, that evil AAA ripening like an August watermelon. How many minutes did I have left? Then I got an idea.

Without a word to my wife, I got into my car and drove over to the convenience store. Running up to the counter, I said to the clerk, “I need 100 cigarettes.”

He made a funny face. “You mean you want a carton?”

“Whatever it takes to make 100 cigarettes. See, I gotta make criteria.”

Check it out! :-)

s a r a h j e a n . o r g :: THE BLOG ::

Spending your whole life “filling the void” is no kind of life. You have to decide to be happy. I know it sounds ridiculous and you’re thinking (or yelling outloud) “You just can’t decide to be happy!!” Oh but you can…… I challenge you to try it.

Insight and wisdom from a 20 year old woman. Take a look.