One of the best parts about watching the Super Bowl is seeing all the fun and quirky ads that some of the biggest corporations in the U.S. come up with.

Some of you may have seen this Hyundai ad, where a man performs CPR by slamming on the brakes of his new Hyundai.

Yes, it’s a clever idea, but it would never work. NPR recently interviewed a CPR expert who debunked the ad, stating that it would not only be impossible to perform CPR this way, but it would probably do a whole lot more damage than good!

What did you think of the ad? Was it clever or misleading?

Phlebotomy is when a professional phlebotomist, doctor, or nurse draws blood from a patient. The patient may be having blood drawn in order for the blood to be tested or screened, or he or she may be donating blood for a transfusion.

CPR123 offers phlebotomy certification and training for phlebotomists. Phlebotomy is currently a rapidly expanding field; in the past nurses or doctors were responsible for drawing blood, but demand is on the rise for trained phlebotomists.

Find a phlebotomy technician course close to you!

Going to the Dentist Gets Even Safer

New York State Dental Association Gets AED Bill Signed into Law

 ALBANY, NY, June 17, 2011 – The New York State Dental Association (NYSDA) announced today at its annual House of Delegates meeting that Governor Cuomo signed a bill into law on June 8th that will improve public health and safety of New Yorkers statewide. Beginning January 1, 2012, all dentist offices in New York State will be required to have Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) on-site. Dentists in New York are already required to be trained to use these devices. AED’s save lives and now over 10,000 dental offices across the State will have them available.

“We are pleased that Governor Cuomo has signed this important piece of legislation,” said Dr. Robert Doherty, President of NYSDA. “Over the years NYSDA has been a leader in public health legislation advocating proactively for appropriate protection from radiation and for certification requirements for administering anesthesia. This is just another way that the dental community is working to ensure the overall health and safety of all patients.”

New York is the second and largest state to statutorily, uniformly require that all dental offices possess AEDs. Illinois is the only other state that requires all dental offices to have AEDs. Other states have laws that require various conditions under which a dental office must have an AED usually related to the use of sedation.

“The American Red Cross strongly supported this legislation, and we commend the efforts of the Governor, the New York State Legislature and the New York State Dental Association for recognizing the important and proactive effects the installation of AED’s in dental offices will have,” said Gary Striar, CEO of American Red Cross of Northeastern New York.

NYSDA’s support of AEDs in dental offices is a result of the indisputable evidence that they greatly improve outcomes for people experiencing cardiac arrest. The prognosis of pre-hospital cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation is dependent on the first few minutes following the arrest. The importance of early defibrillation cannot be over-emphasized. The availability and use of AEDs has resulted in a marked increase in the effectiveness of pre-hospital CPR in saving lives.

It is estimated that an individual’s chances for survival decreases by 10% for each minute that defibrillation is delayed. Early defibrillation has been shown to be more effective than CPR alone. The national average for survival after sudden cardiac arrest is 5-6% without immediate defibrillation. In metropolitan areas, the survival rates are actually lower, 1-2%, leading many communities to equip first responders with AEDs. Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) programs have raised survival rates up to 60%.

While dental offices are not a site where cardiac arrest is likely to occur, as many people frequent dental offices, the availability of an AED provides additional protection for those in a dental office who may experience an unanticipated cardiac event, regardless of the cause. Read the entire article here.

The Salty Stuff

Salt, Blood Pressure and Your Health

Salt is essential to our body’s fluids. That’s likely why we evolved to enjoy its taste. On the other hand, anyone who’s gotten a mouth full of seawater knows that too much salt tastes terrible. Maybe your body’s trying to tell you something. It turns out that too much salt can lead to a host of health problems.

The chemical name for dietary salt, or table salt, is sodium chloride. Since 90% of the sodium we ingest is from salt, it’s difficult to separate the effects of salt and sodium in many studies. However, it’s the sodium part most doctors focus on.

“The best known effect of sodium on health is the relationship between sodium and blood pressure,” explains Dr. Catherine Loria of NIH’s National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Dozens of studies, in both animals and people, have shown that a higher salt intake raises blood pressure. Reducing salt intake, on the other hand, lowers blood pressure.

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries as the heart pumps out blood. When this pressure rises—a condition called high blood pressure, or hypertension—it can damage the body in many ways over time. High blood pressure has been linked to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and other health problems.

There are 2 blood pressure numbers, and they’re usually written with one above or before the other. Systolic, the first, is the pressure when the heart beats, pumping blood through the arteries. Diastolic is the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats. The numbers 120/80 mmHg are the ones you should aim to keep your blood pressure below.

Some research also suggests that excessive salt intake might increase the risk of stomach cancer. Scientists continue to investigate this possible connection.

“A very modest decrease in the amount of salt, hardly detectable in the taste of food, can have dramatic health benefits for the U.S.,” Bibbins-Domingo stresses.

The salt we sprinkle on our food actually accounts for less than 10% of our salt consumption. Most of the salt we eat salt comes in processed foods from stores, restaurants and dining halls. You may already know that fast food, cold cuts and canned foods tend to have a lot of salt. http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2010/March/feature1.htmhttp://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2010/March/feature1.htm

Pressure check in both arms catches artery disease

By MyHealthNewsDaily Staff

Measuring blood pressure in both the right and left arm may be an effective way of catching a silent but serious disease of the blood vessels, a new review says.

The findings showed that a difference in systolic blood pressure between the arms was linked with an increased risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition that involves a narrowing of the arteries in the extremities, particularly the legs and feet.

When researchers examined study participants' systolic blood pressure readings, those who had a difference between their right and left arms of 15 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or more were 2.5 times more likely to have PAD than those who had a smaller difference between their arms, the researchers said. Systolic blood pressure is the "top" number in a blood pressure reading.

The findings support the need for it to become the norm to take blood pressure readings from both arms, said study researcher Dr. Christopher Clark, of Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. Such tests could identify patients without symptoms at high risk for PAD who would benefit from further assessment or treatment, they say.

The researchers reviewed 28 studies that measured blood pressure in both arms of participants. The studies typically included patients at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, the researchers noted.

In addition to an increased risk of PAD, a 15mm Hg blood pressure difference between arms was also associated with a 70 percent increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and a 60 percent increased risk of dying from any cause.

Which arm has the higher pressure can vary between individuals, but it is the size of the difference that counts, not which arm is higher and which is lower, the researchers said. Read the entire article here.

Home Births in U.S. Rise to Highest Level on Record, Study Shows

By Elizabeth Lopatto

Jan. 26 (Bloomberg) — Home births rose 29 percent from 2004 to 2009, to almost three quarters of a percent of all U.S. live deliveries, the highest level since 1989, according to health authorities.

They were most common among non-Hispanic white women, where about 1 in 90 births are at home, according to a report from the National Center for Health Statistics. Also, women ages 35 and older who already had children were more likely than others to have chosen a birth at home rather than a hospital.

In 2009, the most recent year for which data is available, there were 29,650 babies born at home, the highest level since the NCHS began collecting data in 1989. Over 60 percent of the deliveries were attended by midwives, 5 percent by physicians, and 33 percent by “others,” including family members or emergency medical technicians. Most of the non-hospital births were planned, according to the report.

“Women may prefer a home birth over a hospital birth for a variety of reasons, including a desire for a low-intervention birth in a familiar environment,” the authors of the report wrote. They may also deliver at home for religious reasons or a lack of transportation in rural areas.

Fewer babies born outside a hospital were to unmarried mothers or teenagers, the report said. In addition, the babies were less likely to be preterm, low birth weight or multiple births, which suggests that home birth attendants are screening women, preferring those who were low risk, the report said.

In 2009, Montana had the highest percentage of home births with 2.6 percent, followed by Oregon and Vermont. Read the entire article here.

Study Finds Good Intentions Ease Pain, Add To Pleasure

A nurse's tender loving care really does ease the pain of a medical procedure, and grandma's cookies really do taste better, if we perceive them to be made with love – suggests newly published research by a University of Maryland psychologist. The findings have many real-world applications, including in medicine, relationships, parenting and business.

"The way we read another person's intentions changes our physical experience of the world," says UMD Assistant Professor Kurt Gray, author of "The Power of Good Intentions," newly published online ahead of print in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science. Gray directs the Maryland Mind Perception and Morality Lab.

"The results confirm that good intentions – even misguided ones – can sooth pain, increase pleasure and make things taste better," the study concludes. It describes the ability of benevolence to improve physical experience as a "vindication for the power of good."

PAIN: EXPERIMENT 1.
Does kindness reduce pain? Three groups of participants received identical electric shocks at the hand of a partner. Members of the first group were in the "accidental" condition: They thought they were being shocked without their partner's awareness. The second, or "malicious condition, group thought they were being shocked on purpose, for no good reason. The final group ("benevolent" condition), also thought they were being shocked on purpose, but because another person was trying to help them win money. The result: Participants in the "benevolent" group experienced significantly less pain than both the "malicious" and "accident" participants. This finding should "provide relief to doctors and even those caring parents who are sometimes compelled to inflict pain on their charges for their [charges] own good," Gray writes in the paper.

PLEASURE: EXPERIMENT 2.
Do good intentions also heighten the experience of pleasure? People sat on an electric massage pad in an easy chair which was repeatedly turned on – either by an indifferent computer or a caring partner. Although the massages were identical, Gray found that partner massages caused significantly more pleasure than those administered by a computer. "Although computers may be more efficient than humans at many things, pleasure is still better coming from another person," the study concludes.

TASTE: EXPERIMENT 3.
Does benevolence improve how things taste? Subjects were given candy in a package with a note attached. For the benevolent group, the note read: "I picked this just for you. Hope it makes you happy. The non-benevolent (indifferent) version read: "Whatever. I just don't care. I just picked it randomly." The candy not only tasted better to the benevolent group, but it also tasted significantly sweeter. "Perceived benevolence not only improves the experience of pain and pleasure, but can also make things taste better," the study concludes.

For those in relationships, which is pretty much everyone, the message is to make sure your partner, sibling, friend, etc. knows you care. Gray notes, "It's not enough just to do good things for your partner – they have to know you want them to feel good. Just imagine saying, 'fine, here's your stupid hug,' – hardly comforting." The same would also seem to apply to cooking, where emphasizing your concern about the experience of the diners makes things taste better. Read the entire article here.

Hands only CPR is currently being touted as a life-saving technique that’s easy and safe for almost anyone to learn. Unlike mouth-to-mouth or full CPR, which requires you to alternate between chest compressions and rescue breaths, hands only can be especially effective in cardiac arrest.

While the Red Cross still suggests full CPR for incidents “involving infants and children, drowning victims, or people who collapse due to breathing problems,” knowing hands only CPR will empower you with skills that might save someone’s life.

We encourage everyone to take a CPR course to learn full CPR, but if you’re interested in watching a quick demonstration, check out the hands only CPR video below, produced by the American Red Cross.

We believe that the more people who are trained in CPR, the more lives will be saved. Check out the CPR statistics below to see why:

CPR Statistics & Facts

• Over two million lives have been saved with CPR.
• CPR doubles a person’s chance of survival from sudden cardiac arrest.
• It is much more likely that you will use CPR on a loved-one than a stranger.
• Right now, only 1/3 of people who experience cardiac arrest outside their homes will have CPR performed on them.
• CPR is most effective if it is performed within six minutes of cardiac arrest.
• While CPR learned from TV and movies has been known to saves lives, people are more willing to perform CPR if they’ve been professionally trained and certified.

Learn CPR today!

Sources:

Wikipedia

The American Heart Association

University of Washington

Canadian Red Cross

CPR Video: Tough Guy

CPR Video: Silly Hero

CPR Video: Toddler CPR!

CPR Video: CPR with the Office

The Office: CPR class. from Mauricio Galindocohen on Vimeo.

My 4-step approach to becoming a morning exerciser

I haven’t always been a morning person (AKA slept like a toddler), but Ive certainly never been a night owl.

I pulled no all-nighters in college (be it for studying or in other more liquid hedonistic pursuits) & always knew I’d be better off finishing whatever needed to be “finished” (see above parenthetical) at the crack of dawn versus late night.

I stumbled onto my healthy-living path in the 90′s. Step aerobics/classes in general were all the rage and somehow I let myself get talked into signing up for a series of 4pm classes. I went (usually), but it was always an effort to convince myself to get changed & go. In addition, I quickly discovered my natural energy levels were lower in the afternoon.

Once I switched my workouts to the morning I found both lost the excuse of “life just got in the way!” for skipping them *and* I actually looked forward to starting my day with some sweat!

I don’t believe morning workouts are the way to go for everyone (although studies show morning exercisers as less likely to miss workouts due to ‘life intrusions’) Ive been asked frequently enough how I shifted my routine Ive formulated a four step process.

These steps are what worked for me and what I know can work for you.

• Make the decision and tell your accountability partners (AKA friends & family).
• Plan and practice your workout routine.
• Wake up and don't NOT workout!
• Go go go!

Read the entire article here.

The Ten Habits of a Sharp Brain

By Alvaro Fernandez

Let us repurpose one of Sharp­Brains’ most popular blog posts since 2006. It may give you a few pointers to sharpen those New Years Resolutions. Let’s summarize some lifestyle guidelines we can all follow to enhance and maintain a sharp brain through life…

Learn what is the “It” in “Use It or Lose It”. A basic under­stand­ing will serve you well to appreciate your brain’s beauty as a living and constantly-developing dense forest with billions of neurons and synapses.

[Editor here: see explanations of this list by seeing the full article here.]

• Take care of your nutrition.
• Remember that the brain is part of the body.
• Practice positive, future-oriented thoughts until they become your default mindset
• Thrive on Learning and Mental Challenges.
• Explore, travel.
• Don’t Out­source Your Brain.
• Develop and maintain stimulating friend­ships.
• Laugh. Often.

Now, remember that what counts is not read­ing this article-or any other-, but practicing a bit every day until small steps snowball into default, internalized habits . . . so, pick one priority for next month and start work­ing on it. Revisit the habit above that really grabbed your attention, click on the link to learn more, and make a decision to try something new and better this year. Read the entire article here.

Tips for Making Good New Year's Resolutions

There is a right way and a wrong way to make a New Year's resolution. Here are a few expert tips to see that your resolution actually makes a difference:

1. Create a Plan
Setting a goal without formulating a plan is merely wishful thinking. In order for your resolution to have resolve, (as the word "resolution" implies), it must translate into clear steps that can be put into action. A good plan will tell you A) What to do next and B) What are all of the steps required to complete the goal.

2. Create Your Plan IMMEDIATELY
If you're like most people, then you'll have a limited window of opportunity during the first few days of January to harness your motivation. After that, most people forget their resolutions completely.

It is imperative that you begin creating your plan immediately.

3. Write Down Your Resolution and Plan
myGoals.com exists to help you formulate a plan, which we then help you stick to. But even if you don't use myGoals.com, commit your resolution and plan to writing someplace, such as a notebook or journal.

4. Think "Year Round," Not Just New Year's
Nothing big gets accomplished in one day. Resolutions are set in one day, but accomplished with a hundred tiny steps that happen throughout the year. New Year's resolutions should be nothing more than a starting point. You must develop a ritual or habit for revisiting your plan. myGoals.com helps you stick to your plan by providing email reminders that arrive when it's time to work on a given task.

And finally…

5. Remain Flexible
Expect that your plan can and will change. Life has a funny way of throwing unexpected things at us, and flexibility is required to complete anything but the simplest goal. Sometimes the goal itself will even change. Most of all, recognize partial successes at every step along the way. Just as a resolution isn't accomplished the day it's stated, neither is it accomplished the day you reach your goal. Rather, it's accomplished in many small increments along the way. Acknowledge these incremental successes as they come. Read the entire article here.

Where's the Flu? Get Ready

CDC Data Show Little U.S. Flu, but Google Flu Trends Shows Hot Spots
By Daniel J. DeNoon
WebMD Health News Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Although it's seemed pretty quiet so far, flu season may already have arrived.

Although official CDC data show little flu activity throughout the U.S., it takes about two weeks to compile that data. More timely data from Google’s Flu Trends report is showing "moderate" flu activity in the U.S. overall, with about half of states still in the "low" category. But Kentucky and Nevada have "high" flu activity. So do several cities — Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Miami, and Washington, D.C. — although Google Flu Trends for cities is still experimental.

Although the Google data are based on searches for flu information as opposed to actual cases, in recent years it's done a pretty good job of predicting what CDC will report. Also, the CDC provides a link to Google’s data off of its weekly flu report.

Read the entire article here.

2011 Advances in EMS Technology

2011 was an exciting year full of technological advances in EMS. Many highly sophisticated new devices were introduced, each taking years to develop. It has been pretty amazing, with so many new high-technology devices coming out in a single year.

The two big clinical areas to benefit have been airway management and ventilation. EMS product manufacturers have finally solved two stubborn problems. One of them is how to make video-laryngoscopy less expensive and easier for paramedics to use; the other is how to make sophisticated transport ventilators street-rugged. But the top new products are not limited to these two categories.

We have also seen the introduction of some very clever and elegantly simple EMS products. The kinds that work in the field, often developed by people from our industry. Here are my selections for the most innovative and significant new EMS products introduced this year.

[Editor: See descriptions of the products in this list by reading the full article here.]

1) The McGrath Mac is a second-generation video-laryngoscope building on the legacy of the McGrath Series 5. A single solid structure houses a light source and reinforced CameraStick. It's a single curved piece of stainless steel that runs into and becomes the frame of the grip. They built this thing to hold up on the street.

2) The King Vision video-laryngoscope is another extremely portable advanced airway tool. The King Vision is a two-piece system: a reusable compact screen and a handle with disposable blades. They have two different types of blades. One has a channel that holds the ET tube, and guides it through the vocal cords without a stylet.

3) The new 731 series EMV+ from Impact Instrumentation is a true Critical Care Transport ventilator. It is capable of quite simply anything and everything you might ever need from a transport ventilator. The list of features and functions is extensive, despite the diminutive size and ultra-light 9.5-pound weight.

4) Smiths Medical has a new completely re-designed version of their legendary ParaPac, the ParaPac Plus 310. The ParaPac is the original UK-engineered Paramedic ventilator. It offers independent control of rate, volume, and pressure on a proven pneumatic platform. Now it weighs less and will come with CPAP.

5) Another new ventilator is from Hamilton Medical. The new Hamilton-T1 is one of the more sophisticated mobile ICU ventilators. Unlike most other adult ventilators, this one can also truly handle pediatrics, delivering volumes down to 20ml. It has some truly revolutionary features. It offers six different modes of ventilation, including one that is both diagnostic and interventional.

6) Laerdal Medical introduced the MamaNatalie Birthing Simulator. This clever simulation contraption straps on to the front of a real women. It provides a strikingly realistic OB emergency/delivery experience. It is great for training control of post-partum hemorrhage, the number one cause of maternal death in childbirth. It is so realistic that I've seen EMTs and Medics actually start to sweat as they approached the scenario.

7) SAM Medical introduced the SAM Chest Seal. The SAM Chest Seal is a self-adherent occlusive dressing, an open chest wound seal with a built in one-way valve. Once decompression is achieved (or if inhospitable environments present), you can seal it up with an included snap-on sealing cap. This is a huge improvement over Saran Wrap.

8.) ESO QuickSpeak from ESO Solutions is a Windows-based computer program that translates English into different languages including Spanish, Chinese, Indian, French and German. Nine more languages are in development. QuickSpeak includes hundreds of questions per language, in more than 20 different categories.

9) Hartwell Medical introduced a high performance, value priced vacuum mattress. I think it's a much-improved design, now able to form into the perfect CID. is a moldable, forming full body splint. You mold the shape around the victim while suctioning out the air, to create a solid customized full body splint.

10) Gerber Outerwear introduced the Extreme Parka, an exciting new EMS coat design. The Extreme Parka is a great looking coat with a waterproof breathable shell. It meets both ANSI F1671 bloodborne pathogen standard and the ANSI 107 Class 3 high-visibility safety standard. Read the full article here.

From the editor:
The EMS field changes every day. We're lucky to be witness to technological breakthroughs that support our medical decisions and lifesaving procedures; the information available to us on the internet; the guidance of GPS to help us get to our patients faster; and the shrinking size of machines that make them portable and affordable.

This week we wanted to highlight some history of things we value (like defibrillators), as well as some medical ideas that are now considered quackery. Don't you wonder which of our modern breakthroughs will astound people a century from now? 

New technology guides first responders

By Greg Latshaw, USA TODAY

Navigating backcountry roads in places like Hawkins County, Tenn., can be a challenge for ambulance drivers, even if they know the territory.

That's why since March 31, Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, purchased locally for $200 each, have been in use in the county's five ambulances, says Chris Christian, with the Hawkins County Emergency Medical Service (EMS).

The rural squad is one of a growing number of first-responder organizations small and large across the USA equipping vehicles with satellite navigating and vehicle-tracking technology, says Ed Plaugher, director of national programs for the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

While no national statistics are available on how many first responders use satellite navigating devices, their use of automatic vehicle location (AVL) systems — which build on GPS technology to transmit a rescue vehicle's location to a command post — has increased more than 20% per year since 2000, says Clem Driscoll, president of C.J. Driscoll and Associates, a marketing consulting firm in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.

Nationwide, about one-fourth of ambulances, 15% of fire vehicles and 10% of police cars are equipped with AVL systems, he says.

"It's no longer just about finding the address," Plaugher says. "It's also about finding the closest vehicle."

High price tags and slow political processes have caused some larger city departments to lag in adopting the technology, says Theodore Collins, president and chief executive officer of InterAct Public Safety Systems, a North Carolina company that provides AVL and dispatch software. Read the entire article here.

The History of the Defibrillator

By Mickey Scott, eHow Contributor

A fibrillation of the heart, if untreated, can lead to cardiac arrest and death. The defibrillator, if used as soon as possible, is an effective means of neutralizing the fibrillation. Used externally or internally, defibrillators have been used by paramedics for over 60 years. They are relatively easy to use, and are accessible in many public places. Countless lives have been saved because of them.

History
The defibrillator was invented in 1899 by psychologists J. L. Prevost and F. Battelli. They discovered that while a weak electrical stimulus could fibrillate a heart, a stronger one could undo it. Initially tested on dogs, the defibrillator was not used on a human until 1947, by American surgeon Claude Beck. He restored the fibrillating heart of a 14-year-old boy. This success paved the way for widespread clinical acceptance of the procedure.

Types
The external defibrillator utilizes two paddles that are applied to the patient's upper right pectoral and lower left rib. These are the kind often seen on television. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are smaller and implanted within the chest itself. They are connected to the heart and detect irregularities in rhythms and correct them accordingly, outputting an electric shock if necessary. Transvenous defibrillators are similar to ICDs, except they apply the shock to the middle cardiac vein rather than the heart itself.

Dangers
Manual defibrillators should not be used on persons still registering a pulse, as the disruption to a heart's rhythm could be fatal. The paddles should also not be placed directly upon a woman's breast or over a pacemaker. Burns to the patient are common, and blood clots may form. Additionally, those who accidentally come in contact with a live paddle risk electric shock.

The Packer Whacker
Defibrillators in Australia are colloquially known as Packer Whackers, named after media mogul Kerry Packer. In 1990 Packer suffered a heart attack and was clinically dead for six minutes. Few ambulances carried defibrillators at the time, though it happened that the one carrying Packer did. Successfully revived, Packer donated a large sum of money to the New South Wales ambulance service to ensure every ambulance carried a defibrillator. Read the entire article here.

Outdated Medical Treatments

Man is always seeking to tame what it can never fully understand. The same is true with medicine. While we can never fully come to terms with the throes and devastations we are dealt by the natural world, that doesn’t stop us from trying to mount a saddle on the very worst of it. Along the way to a closer understanding of virtual infinity, there have been stubborn and idealistic, if not necessary, shots in the dark with the hopes of an eventual hit, a glimpse of enlightenment. Here are some of medical science’s best bloopers and outtakes.

Read the entire article here for more about the following topics.

• Radiated Water
• Barber-Surgeons
• Cocaine
• Insulin Shock Therapy
• Smoking
• Lobotomies

Leeches
Even while leeches are still used to this day, it’s not often you go to the doctor complaining of a sore throat and he pulls out a juicy leech as a remedy. Barber-surgeons relied on this natural blood-letter to fix virtually every medieval ailment, thinking it could drain all impurities in a really good suck session. While it sounds barbaric, leeches do have true medical merit; they are used in some kinds of reconstructive surgery to prevent clotting, as the leeches produce a special anti-coagulant enzyme (called hirudin) in their saliva for that very purpose.

Blood-Letting
Blood-letting stems back to an ancient Greek tradition, where in which blood would be drained from an afflicted individual in order to balance the bodily “humors” which were thought to be the determining factors of one’s health. This practice was kept up in medieval Europe as barber-surgeons would drain blood to rid toxins. Read the entire article here.

A brief history of electrocardiography

From the CPR123 newsletter editor: These are just a few interesting excerpts from this article. See the full article here.

1775
Abildgaard shows that hens can be made lifeless with electrical impulses and he could restore a pulse with electrical shocks across the chest. "With a shock to the head, the animal was rendered lifeless, and arose with a second shock to the chest; however, after the experiment was repeated rather often, the hen was completely stunned, walked with some difficulty, and did not eat for a day and night; then later it was very well and even laid an egg." 

1872
Mr Green, a surgeon, publishes a paper on the resuscitation of a series of patients who had suffered cardiac and / or respiratory arrest during anaesthesia with chloroform. He uses a galvanic pile (battery) of 200 cells generating 300 Volts which he applied to the patient as follows "One pole should be applied to the neck and the other to the lower rib on the left side." 

1872
Guillaume Benjamin Amand Duchenne de Boulogne, pioneering neurophysiologist, describes the resuscitation of a drowned girl with electricity in the third edition of his textbook on the medical uses of electricity. This episode has sometimes been described as the first 'artificial pacemaker' but he used an electrical current to induce electrophrenic rather than myocardial stimulation.

Read the entire article here.

Ambulance History

By Mary Bellis

During the Crusades of the 11th Century, the Knights of St John received instruction in first-aid treatment from Arab and Greek doctors. The Knights of St John then acted as the first emergency workers, treating soldiers on both sides of the war of the battlefield and bringing in the wounded to nearby tents for further treatment. The concept of ambulance service started in Europe with the Knights of St John, at the same time it had also become common practice for small rewards to be paid to soldiers who carried the wounded bodies of other soldiers in for medical treatment.

The Surgeon-in-Chief of the French Grand Army, "Baron Dominiquie Larrey" created the first official army medical corp. in 1792. Trained attendants with equipment moved out from the field hospitals to give first-aid to the wounded on the battlefield and/or carried them back by stretcher, hand-carts and wagons to the field hospitals.

Motorized ambulance vehicles have been in use since the beginning of the 20th century. In the 1950s the United States pioneered helicopter-ambulances during the Korean War. In 1968, St Vincent's Hospital in New York City started the first mobile coronary care unit. Read the entire article here.

Absurdly Over-Packaged Foods

by Brian Clark Howard

People can be passionate about packaging.

We’ve all been frustrated after getting a seemingly giant box, then wading through layers of tape, bubble wrap and tissue paper, only to find a tiny item no bigger than a credit card.

Sunsweet Ones prunes are individually wrapped and come in 7- and 12-ounce containers.

On the other end of the spectrum, good packaging design can catch our eye and make us as giddy as Lisa Simpson, who once remarked that the perfect packaging on “Mapple” products totally “got her.”

Sometimes there’s tension between consumers and manufacturers. The eco-minded want packaging that is as minimal as possible. And fully recyclable, compostable and made with 100 percent post-consumer content.

The industry often fires back that they don’t want their products to start decomposing in the store, and they have to make things harder to shoplift (hence those bulky containers around miniscule memory cards, or elaborate security systems).

Yes, packaging can make things more convenient to take on the go. But have these single-item packages gone too far?

1. Individually Wrapped Prunes (aka Dried Plums)
Packed with antioxidants and, um, fiber, prunes are a healthy and tasty, if acquired, snack. Boosters say individual wrapping makes prunes easy to take on the go. That’s an interesting idea, but are you really going to want to stick one in your pocket?

If you are going to throw a few in your gym bag, why not use a sealable bag, which you can rinse out and reuse day after day?

2. Plastic-Wrapped Bananas
Bananas' natural thick skin is nature's ideal packaging, nothing extra required. Photo: Flickr/AntyDiluvian

Del Monte recently tested plastic-wrapped bananas, which the company claims keeps the produce fresher longer, and thereby result in less food waste and less shipping. The product is marketed as a “Natural Energy Snack on the Go.” Dole bagged bananas have also been spotted in vending machines.

Bloggers pounced on the concept, pointing out that bananas already come in a tough – and biodegradable! – natural packaging. Some wondered if the plastic was really about being able to charge more for the same fruit.

True, Adam Werbach makes the provocative point that we should probably worry more about eating in season and less about how our fruit is packaged, but for many, putting a wrapper on something our moms used to hand us every day was just too much to swallow.

3. Pre-Wrapped Corn
An alternative to packaging corn? Sell it in its original, non-shucked form. Photo: Flickr/Rex Roof

At least with potatoes or cukes, the farmer harvests the food, rinses it off, and ships it to market, where it may or may not get covered with additional packaging. But with corn, someone has to shuck it, aka remove its hearty natural packaging, rinse it off, then cover it back up with non-natural packaging. That seems like a lot of labor, to save the shopper a few seconds (and rob them of more connection to what they’re eating).

To take a step back, a la Adam Werbach, we might ask why so much of the corn we grow is actually fed to livestock, or processed into sugar and other additives for junk food and hundreds of other products. Those are important issues, though they may not be as obvious as an ear covered in cellophane.

4. Individually Wrapped Jelly Beans
The Jelly Belly 20 Flavor Twists come individually wrapped.

Ronald Reagan’s favorite treat, Jelly Bellies come in countless flavors, from caramel corn to canned dog food, and from peach to pencil shavings. But did you know the pint-sized candies are also sold individually wrapped? Read the entire article here.

Altered foods major part of US diet

By MARY CLARE JALONICK – Associated Press – Associated Press

Genetically modified plants grown from seeds engineered in laboratories now provide much of the food Americans eat. Most corn, soybean and cotton crops grown in the United States have been genetically modified to resist pesticides or insects, and corn and soy are common food ingredients.

The Agriculture Department has approved three more genetically engineered crops in the past month, and the Food and Drug Administration could approve fast-growing genetically modified salmon for human consumption this year.

Agribusiness and the seed companies say their products help boost crop production, lower prices at the grocery store and feed the world, particularly in developing countries. The FDA and USDA say the engineered foods they have approved are safe — so safe, they do not even need to be labeled as such — and cannot be significantly distinguished from conventional varieties.

Organic food companies, chefs and consumer groups have stepped up their efforts — so far, unsuccessfully — to get the government to exercise more oversight of engineered foods, arguing the seeds are floating from field to field and contaminating pure crops. The groups have been bolstered by a growing network of consumers who are wary of processed and modified foods.

Many of these opponents acknowledge that there is not much solid evidence showing genetically modified foods are somehow dangerous or unhealthy. It just doesn't seem right, they say. It's an ethical issue.

"If you mess with nature there's a side effect somewhere," says George Siemon, chief executive of Organic Valley, the largest U.S. organic farming cooperative, which had more than $600 million in sales last year. "There is a growing awareness that our system makes us all guinea pigs of sorts." Read the entire article here.

Foods That Sound Healthy (but Aren't)

Salad, bran muffins, fat-free foods―they're good for you, right? Not always. Nutrition expert Katherine Brooking, MS, RD, reveals surprisingly unhealthy foods, plus better-for-you alternatives.

Multi-Grain and Wheat Breads
Terms like multi-grain, 7-grain, and wheat sound healthy, but they may not actually contain heart-healthy whole grains. Many breads labeled "multi-grain" and "wheat" are typically made with refined grains, so you're not getting the full nutritional benefit of the whole grain. How can you be sure? Read nutrition labels carefully. If the first flour in the ingredient list is refined (it will typically say "bleached" or "unbleached enriched wheat flour") you are not getting a 100% whole-grain bread.

Reduced-Fat Peanut Butter
Reduced-fat peanut butter is not necessarily a healthier version of regular peanut butter. Read the labels to see why. Both regular and reduced-fat peanut butter contain about the same amount of calories, but the reduced-fat variety has more sugar. But isn't it healthy to reduce some fat? Not in this case. Regular peanut butter is a natural source of the "good" monounsaturated fats. Look for a natural peanut butter with an ingredient list that contains no added oils. Better yet, find a store where you can grind your own, or make your own nut butters at home.

"Energy" Bars
Energy bars are the perfect pre-workout snack, right? Not always. Many energy bars are filled with high fructose corn syrup, added sugar, and artery-clogging saturated fat. Plus, some bars (particularly meal replacement varieties) contain more than 350 calories each―a bit more than "snack size" for most people. It is a good idea to fuel up with a mix of high quality carbs and protein before an extended workout or hike. Choose wisely: one-quarter cup of trail mix, or 1.5 oz. of low-fat cheese and three to four small whole-grain crackers.

[From the Editor: okay, this is weird anyway--dessert that you just spray directly into your mouth??]
Foods Labeled "Fat-Free"
Fat-free does NOT mean calorie-free. Just because a food contains no fat, that doesn't make it a health food. (Think gummy bears.) Of course, there are many very healthful fat-free foods (like most fruits and vegetables), but always check the nutrition labels when buying packaged foods to be sure you're getting a nutritious product and not just one that's fat-free. Calories, sodium, fiber, and vitamins and minerals are all aspects you should consider in addition to fat. Read the entire article here.

Food Dyes Linked to Allergies, ADHD and Cancer: Group Calls on US to Outlaw Their Use

By David W Freeman

Many breakfast cereals are made with food dyes.
(CBS) Food dyes may make food look tastier, but a prominent watchdog group says they pose major health risks and is calling for the government to ban them.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) says the dyes – used in a commercially prepared foods ranging from candy to breakfast cereals and salad dressing – present a "rainbow of risks" and can cause allergic reactions, hyperactivity, and even cancer.

"These synthetic chemicals do absolutely nothing to improve the nutritional quality or safety of foods, but trigger behavior problems in children and, possibly, cancer in anybody," Michael F. Jacobson, executive director of the nonprofit group, said in a written statement. "The Food and Drug Administration should ban dyes, which would force industry to color foods with real food ingredients, not toxic petrochemicals."

Jacobson is co-author of a new report entitled "Food Dyes: A Rainbow of Risks."

The group says the three most widely used dyes – Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 – are contaminated with cancer-causing substances. Another dye, Red 3, has been identified as a carcinogen by the FDA but is still in commercial use.

Other dyes have been linked to allergic reactions, the group says, and studies show that dyes can cause hyperacitivity in children.

Despite those concerns, manufacturers put about 15 million pounds of eight synthetic dyes into our foods each year, according to the group. Per capita consumption of dyes has risen five-fold since 1955, thanks in part to the proliferation of brightly colored cereals, fruit drinks, and candies pitched to children. Read the entire article here.

10 Weird and Gross Ingredients in Processed Food

By Ecoist in Animals & Habitats, Food & Health, Science & Research

Everyone now knows that processed and fast foods are not the bastions of nutrition, but that shouldn’t make these ingredients found inside them any less revolting inside or out of your home kitchen. This list sends a clear message: when a packaged food contains more than five ingredients and includes some that are difficult to pronounce, stay away. Make a b-line straight to the organics aisle and go for vegan meals or vegetarian recipes instead.

Fertilizer in Subway Sandwich Rolls
While chemical fertilizers inevitably make it into our produce in trace amounts, you would not expect it to be a common food additive. However, ammonium sulfate can be found inside many brands of bread, including Subway’s. The chemical provides nitrogen for the yeast, creating a more consistent product.

Beaver Anal Glands in Raspberry Candy
The anal glands of a beaver, conveniently euphemized as castoreum, are a common ingredient in perfumes and colognes but are also sometimes used to — believe it or not — enhance the flavor of raspberry candies and sweets.

Beef Fat in All Hostess Products
While this may not bother the most ardent omnivore, others are shocked to discover that their favorite childhood treats contain straight-up beef fat. The ingredient comes included a list of other oils that may or may not be used, so it is always a gamble! It is enough to make some of us want to go vegan.

Crushed Bugs as Red Food Coloring
After killing thousands at a time, the dried insects are boiled to produce a liquid solution that can be turned to a dye using a variety of treatments. Some people worry that the coloring — often called carmine or carminic acid — could be listed as a “natural color,” disguising the fact that there are bugs in the product.

Beetle Juice in Sprinkles and Candies
You know that shiny coating on candies like Skittles? Or the sprinkles on cupcakes and ice cream sundaes? Well, they get that glaze from the secretions of the female lac beetle. The substance is also known as shellac and commonly used as a wood varnish.

Sheep Secretions in Bubble Gum
The oils inside sheep’s wool are collected to create the goopy substance called lanolin. From there, it ends up in chewing gum (sometimes under the guise of “gum base”), but also is used to create vitamin D3 supplements.

Human Hair and/or Duck Feathers in Bread
What’s in your morning bagel? If you get it from Noah’s Bagels, it contains either human hair or duck feathers, and it’s your guess as to which. The substance, called L-cysteine or cystine, is used as a dough conditioner to produce a specific consistency. While artificial cysteine is available, it is cost prohibitive and mostly used to create kosher and halal products.

Coal Tar in Red-Colored Candy
Coal tar is listed as number 199 on the United Nations list of “dangerous goods,” but that doesn’t stop people from using it in food. The coloring Allura Red AC is derived from coal tar and is commonly found in red-colored candies, sodas and other sweets.

Calf Stomach in Many Cheeses
In the UK, all cheeses are labeled as either suitable or not suitable for vegetarians because in Britain — and everywhere else — many cheeses are made using rennet, which is the fourth stomach of a young cow. In the United States and most other countries, people are left to guess about the stomach-content of their cheese.

Sand in Wendy’s Chili
Sand is hidden in Wendy’s chili as a name you might remember from high school chemistry class: silicon dioxide. Apparently they use sand as an “anti-caking agent,” perhaps to make sure the chili can last for days and days over a heater. Read the entire article here.