Back in 1973, the American Psychological Association adopted a rule that prohibited its members from sharing their views of a public figure's apparent mental health status or psychological traits. It was named the Goldwater rule after a magazine published a 1964 article in which interviewed psychiatrists opined on whether presidential candidate Barry Goldwater was mentally fit for office. Goldwater, who lost the 1964 presidential race to Lyndon B. Johnson, sued for libel and won a modest award.
Now, nearly two dozen psychiatrists and psychologists, including prominent experts, are calling on the APA to amend the Goldwater rule, arguing that it deprives the public of expert opinion on crucial issues. Specifically, that doctors have "an affirmative responsibility" to publicly discuss "mental health issues discerned in public figures" when they pose "a clear and present danger to the public's health and well-being."
Body of Knowledge
Nails versus snails. Fingernails grow at 0.02 inches per week, four times faster than toenails. This translates to .0028 inches in a day or 0.000119 inches per hour. The middle fingernail grows fastest; the thumb slowest. An ordinary garden snail moves at the relative lightning speed of 0.029 miles per hour.
Get Me That, Stat!
Teen drivers are eight times more likely to be involved in a collision or near-miss during the first three months after getting a driver's license, compared to the previous three months on a learner's permit, according to the National Institutes of Health. Teens are also four times more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as rapid acceleration, sudden braking and hard turns, during this period. Teens still on a learner's permit, however, drove more safely and with their crash/near crash and risky driving rates similar to those of adults.
Life in Big Macs
One hour of personal grooming (shaving, putting on makeup, styling hair, etc.) burns 136 calories (based on a 150-pound person) or the equivalent of 0.2 Big Macs.
Counts
76: Percentage of persons polled who said they support the idea of the federal government requiring prescription drug ads to include information on the drug's price
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation
Doc Talk
Foreverectomy: a surgical procedure that lasts a very long time
Phobia of the Week
Amychophobia: fear of scratches or being scratched
Never Say Diet
The Major League Eating record for sweet potato casserole is 8.62 pounds in 11 minutes, held by Sonya Thomas. Warning: Most of these records are held by professional eaters; the rest by people who really should find something better to do.
Best Medicine
Good advice: Condoms should be used on every conceivable occasion.
Observation
"Neurotic means he is not as sensible as I am, and psychotic means he's even worse than my brother-in-law."
—American psychiatrist Karl Menninger (1893-1990)
Medical history
This week in 1954, a six-year research program found that Los Angeles smog was caused by the chemical reaction of sunlight with auto and industrial emissions. The first major "smog" event in LA occurred on July 26, 1943, reducing visibility to under three blocks. The public clamored for action. The Los Angeles Times launched an anti-smog campaign. In October 1947, the LA County Board of Supervisors created the nation's first air pollution control program.
Self Exam
Q: What is the medical term for the heel bone?
a) Talus
b) Calcaneus
c) Osteoheel
d) Metatarsal
A:Calcaneus, from the Latin word meaning heel. Talus is the ankle bone. Metatarsal refers to the group of five long bones in the middle of the foot. Osteoheel isn't a word.
Epitaphs
"Keep looking up was my life's admonition. I can do little else in my present position."
Jack Horkheimer (1938-2010) was best known for his popular astronomy TV show "Star Gazer"
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