Post by Fenlander on Sept 17, 2008 18:36:59 GMT 2
IT TOOK POWERFUL VANITY TO GO THROUGH THIS
In the late 1880's, German physiologist A.E. Fick was the first person to successfully construct and fit contact lens. However, the contact lenses were made of heavy glass, covered up tear glands and did not conform to the actual shape of the eye, which caused tremendous discomfort. (It wasn't until 1929 that Dr. Joseph Dallos, from Hungary, perfected a way to make molds from living eyes. And, in 1936, optometrist William Feinbloom introduced lighter and more convenient plastic lenses, paving the way for modern day contacts.)
BUT THESE "LISTENERS" COULDN'T CHANGE THE STATION
At least three hundred years before radio and television, it was the town criers who marched about the markets, squares and streets to "give the latest." Their job was to literally shout the news of the day, including births, deaths, scheduled executions, and any word of their soldiers' conquests in other lands. Their "uniforms" were generally a red and gold robe, white breeches, black boots and a tricorne hat.
GREAT WAY TO DIET WHILE PIGGING-OUT? SWALLOW A TAPEWORM
Tapeworms enter the body through undercooked beef, pork and fish. Once one arrives in the intestines, it may remain there for up to 25-years, growing to a length 30 feet (9 m). There, it eats a larger and larger share of food swallowed by that digestive tract's owner. (Symptoms of the tapeworm's presence include extra hunger and weight loss. Foods such as steak tartar and sushi are common carriers of these worms.)
HIS HONOR, MY A**
In 1999, while California state authorities investigated San Bernardino County Judge Fred Heene's conduct in court, he announced he would not run for reelection. One example of his poor judging: A woman convicted of a traffic violation asked His Honor for more time to complete her community service because, on doctor's orders, she had to remain in bed during her final weeks of pregnancy. The judge denied her request, sentencing her to 44 days in jail. She then protested, explaining she now had a week-old baby at home, to which the judge declared, "You should have thought about that a long time ago."
ANOTHER CATASTROPHIC DISEASE THANKS TO THE MOSQUITO
Elephantiasis (Lymphatic Filariasis), is a rare disorder of the lymphatic system, caused by thread-like parasitic filarial worms (Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and B. timori). The larvae, transmitted by mosquitoes, transforms inside a human host to four-inch worms, which causes legs, arms and genitalia to grotesquely puff and swell. Even though medication kills the worm, the damage to the body is permanent. This disease of the tropics (Africa, China, India, Indonesia) effects nearly 20 million humans.