POETRY

Poetry is distilled, inspired language. It is the expression or delicate suggestion of a person's creative intuition, perception, vision, or emotion in specially crafted language. Poetry lends itself more easily than prose to a certain fineness and refinement of feeling and to the communication of beauty and universal truth in abbreviated imaginative form.

A poem has certain elements - though content, emotional content, imaginative content, and form. Every poem has crystallized ideas or concepts waiting to be reflected upon, mulled over, analyzed, interpreted, and evaluated. it contains inbuilt ideas, and these ideas can beget other ideas, for a poem is organic. The poet's ideas usually converge around one main message - the theme of the poem.

Besides the intellectual element, there is the dimension of feelings and emotions evoked by the poet, feelings of love, awe, anger, melancholy, joy, wonder, despair, anguish, hope, or gratitude. The emotional content exists because a poem is a revelation of human life experiences. It can sometimes mean the baring of a soul.

Since a poem is specially crafted language, the poet deliberately and consciously projects concrete images to bring out his controlling purpose. One can easily visualize, for example, Wordsworth's " Splendor in the grass and clouds of trailing glory." The poet's craftsmanship in projecting the world images embedded in his poem; his skill in the art of word painting; his artistic mastery of figures of speech of onomatopoeia, simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration, assonance, consonance, apostrophe, synecdohe, metonymy, kenning, allusion, hyperbole, and analogy; his appeal to the reader's senses of sight, hearing, touch, and smell; his use of symbolism can be appreciated.

Lastly, a poem has technical form. It has rhythm, and it can also have rhyme. It can have the lilting jingle of a nursery rhyme; the singsong quality of a ballad; the formal cadence of epic; he brevity of a couplet; the compression of a haiku; the lingering music of a lyric; the rustic note to a pastoral poem; the exalted tone of an ode; the somber mood of an elegy; the haunting refrain of a ballade; the measured lines of a quatrain, a terza rima, or a sonnet; the rhymelessness of blank verse, and the relative freedom of free verse. A poem can manifest iambic, anapestic, dactylic, trochaic, and spondaic feet, and its lines may range from monometers to heptameters. The craftsmanship of the poet makes use of form ( of meter, line, foot, stanza, rhyme, punctuation, pauses, poem type, and format) to enhance the other elements of his poem for a total effect.

A poem is though out, felt, visualized, and crafted. It is a truly work of art.

There Is No Frigate Like a Book

Emily Dickinson

There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul!

 

The Road Not Taken

Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. 

 

Richard Cory

Edwin Arlington Robinson  

Whenever Richard Cory went down town,
We people on the pavement looked at him:
He was a gentleman from sole to crown,
Clean-favoured and imperially slim.

And he was always quietly arrayed,
And he was always human when he talked;
But still he fluttered pulses when he said,
"Good Morning!" and he glittered when he walked.

And he was rich, yes, richer than a king,
And admirably schooled in every grace:
In fine -- we thought that he was everything
To make us wish that we were in his place.

So on we worked and waited for the light,
And went without the meat and cursed the bread,
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
Went home and put a bullet in his head.   

 

Simplicity
Author: Emily Dickinson

 How happy is the little stone
That rambles in the road alone,
And does n't care about careers,
And exigencies never fears;
Whose coat of elemental brown
A passing universe put on;
And independent as the sun,
Associates or glows alone,
Fulfilling absolute decree
In casual simplicity. 

QUERIDA

Angela Manalang Gloria

The door is closed, the curtains drawn within
One room, a brilliant question mark of light...
Outside her gate an empty limousine
Waits in the brimming emptiness of night.
Old Maid Walking on a City Street* (1950)

She had a way of walking through concupiscence
And past the graces her fingers never twirled:
Because her mind refused the heavy burden,
Her broad feet shovelled up the world. 

Food Allergy -- meat:

Food Allergy -- meat: Introduction

Meat Allergies in general, are fairly uncommon. However reactions can range from anaphylactic to digestive issues.Avoiding certain meats may be more complicated if you are extremely sensitive, for instance, even certified vegan products can be made on the same line as meat and milk products. People who avoid meat, for religious reasons, often have certification measures that are more restrictive.For Jews not eating pork is the most observed kosher practice. Muslims consider eating products derived from pork violation of their dietary laws as well. Muslims mark products that comply with their dietary laws as Halaal meaning “lawful” or “permissible”. The foods that meet Jewish dietary laws have Kosher labeling. Both are “pork free” with almost no cross contamination issues with pork.
 Food Allergy -- meat: A meat allergy is an adverse reaction by the body's immune system to meat. This type of allergy is rare and severe reactions are even rarer. The body's immune system produces immunoglobulin E (IgE - an antibody) and histamine in response to contact with the allergen.
Meat allergy

People with a meat allergy might react to beef, mutton, pork or chicken. Sometimes people who are allergic to one type of meat or poultry might also react to other types. Cooking destroys some of the allergens in meat, but some people will still react to cooked meat.


Processed meats, such as frankfurters, luncheon meats and pates, sometimes contain other ingredients, particularly milk products, as emulsifiers or flavour enhancers. So it's possible for someone who is allergic to milk to react to a meat product because it contains milk. For example, milk is sometimes used in chicken nuggets to stick the breadcrumbs to the chicken pieces.
Symptoms of Food Allergy -- meat

The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Food Allergy -- meat includes the 31 symptoms listed below:

    * Runny nose
    * Sinusitis
    * Cough
    * Hives
    * Asthma
    * Lip swelling
    * Tongue swelling
    * Hoarseness
    * Throat swelling
    * Nausea
    * Vomiting
    * Diarrhea
    * Itching
    * Sneezing
    * Wheezing
    * Headache
    * Sinus pain
    * Itchy mouth
    * Tingling mouth
    * Breathing problems
    * Fatigue
    * Redness around lips
    * Constipation
    * Swallowing problems
    * Abdominal pain
    * Eczema
    * Disturbed sleep
    * Joint pain
    * Frequent infections
    * Insomnia
    * Depression

Treatment List for Food Allergy -- meat

The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Food Allergy -- meat includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.

    * Avoid contact with the allergen, adrenaline injection if anaphylactic reaction occurs, antihistamines, bronchodilators for asthmatic symptoms
    * The central concept of management of food allergy is allergen avoidance. When this is not possible or inadvertent allergen exposure occurs, treatment depends on the nature and severity of the reaction. Treatments include:
          o Dietary modification and allergen avoidance - with education of children, parents and carers.
          o No treatment - if symptoms are mild and self-limiting
          o Antihistamines - Useful for allergic rhinitis and some allergy mediated skin conditions. Not helpful in asthma except for mild seasonal asthma where allergy may be a precipitant.
          o Nasal sprays - including topical steroids and antihistamines used for allergic rhinitis
          o Eyedrops - ketorolac, levocabastine, ketotifen, olapatadine, for allergic conjunctivitis
          o Asthma medications such as inhaled beta agonists and inhaled corticosteroids - used to treat asthma which may have allergy as a contributing factor.
          o Oral steroids - used in short courses for moderate allergic reactions especially with asthma symptoms or skin conditions
          o Desensitisation - evidence is mixed, and efficacy dependant or the type of allergy and specific type of reaction
          o EpiPen - adrenaline delivery device used as first line treatment prior to hospital care for those who have proven anaphylaxis as a result of specific food allergies
          o Anaphylaxis is a severe life threatening allergic response. Treatment includes:
                + Hospitalisation
                + IM adrenaline
                + High flow oxygen
                + Intravenous fluids
                + Intravenous and oral steroids
                + Nebulised bronchodilators
                + Nebulised adrenaline for upper airways obstruction
             

            Can a Tick Bite Cause a Meat Allergy?

Immunologists at Royal North Shore Hospital in Australia noted that some of their patients who developed meat allergies had been bitten by a tick and had experienced a more severe reaction to the bite than what is typically seen. A significant number had developed severe symptoms including difficulty breathing or throat swelling, which is not usually seen with a garden-variety tick bite.


            After recovering from their tick bite, some of these patients went on to develop severe allergic symptoms when they ate red meat such as intense itching, hives, and even more serious allergic reactions such as difficulty breathing. This was surprising since meat allergies are relatively uncommon compared to other food allergies - and these people had been able to eat red meat before their tick bite. That's when doctors started suspecting tick bites were playing a role in their meat allergies.

            Meat Allergies and Tick Bites: How Does a Tick Bite Cause an Allergy to Meat?

  Researchers believe that the body produces a special antibody in response to a tick bite that can trigger meat allergies in certain individuals. This antibody binds to a sugar in meat called alpha-galactosidase. When it does, histamine is released which triggers the allergic response to meat.

            These meat allergies differ somewhat from typical food allergies. With most food allergies, symptoms develop within minutes after eating the offending food, but people with meat allergies related to tick bites usually don't experience symptoms until three or more hours after eating red meat. The reaction is typically severe with difficulty breathing, lightheadedness, and, sometimes, loss of consciousness. Fortunately, not everyone develops meat allergies after a tick bite. There may be a genetic susceptibility that causes some people to develop a meat allergy after a tick bite since scientists have observed that people with certain blood types are more likely to have this problem.

            Tick Bite Causes Meat Allergy
            Reporter: Dhomonique Ricks l Videographer: Sally Goin

            Bedford County, Va - What do red meat and tick bites have in common? When combined, they can cause allergic reactions for some people. This meat allergy caused by tick bites can, in some cases be potentially life threatening.

            Doctor's say the allergy is poorly understood.  It is a carbohydrate or sugar molecule which is present on a variety of red meat. It's unique because most allergens are proteins. It takes awhile for symptoms to develop. Allergy Partners of Lynchburg says normally the body reacts to an allergen instantly. This allergy, however, takes four to eight hours to kick in.

            Bedford County resident, Barry Slaughter will not get to enjoy his deer steaks anymore.

            "Sad I can't eat it," said Slaughter.

            He just found out through blood work Monday, they and other red meats are the cause of more than a dozen allergic reactions he has had in the past.

            "Every square inch of my body had hives. I never ever experienced anything like that," said Slaughter.

            Slaughter says that was not his worst reaction. Two years ago, he almost died.

            "I lost my color vision. Virtually went blind. I couldn't stand up," said Slaughter. "I became paralyzed on the floor in the bathroom and I couldn't get up to get the phone which we have in the bathroom."

            Slaughter was home alone. His wife was out of town. He says he could barely breathe and went in and out of consciousness.

            "I tried to get up and it was impossible," said Slaughter.

            He had to sit and wait five hours until his body began to function again. According to allergists, his case is extreme. Allergy Partners of Lynchburg have seen a lot of cases lately.

            "As many as 10 in a week," said Dr. Joey Lane, Allergy Partners of Lynchburg.

            Dr. Lane says the disease is caused by the Lone Star tick, which is prevalent in the Commonwealth. A recent tick bite, combined with beef, pork, lamb, deer meet, or bison can cause a strong reaction.

            "They'll develop itching, or hives, or welts, followed by swelling of the lips, tongue. Some people will also have trouble breathing," said Dr. Lane.

            He says the allergy is still poorly understood but allergists are learning more about it every day. Dr. Lane says he is not aware of any fatalities.

            The only treatment is to avoid red meat. Allergy Partners of Lynchburg will be a study site for upcoming clinical trials by University of Virginia specialists.

   

ARE YOU ALLERGY TO EGGS? ( EGG ALLERGY)

 

What Exactly is an Egg Allergy?

Eggs are definitely not bad for your health, but when you are allergic to them, your body thinks they are. If you are allergic to eggs, your body's immune system will overreact to the proteins in the egg. Eggs are made up of many proteins, but the four of them that cause the problems are ovomucoid, ovalbumin, ovotransferrin and lysozyme. These are found in egg white and to a lesser extent the egg yolk. Each time eggs or any food item consisting of egg enters your digestive system, your body will think that these proteins are harmful invaders, if you are allergic to eggs. Your immune system responds to this, by creating antibodies to that food. These antibodies that are designed to fight off the 'invader', trigger the release of certain chemicals into your body, one of which is histamine. So if you have an egg allergy and you consume food that contains eggs, the immune system unleashes an army of chemicals to protect your body. The release of these chemicals can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and the cardiovascular system and lead to allergy symptoms.

Egg allergy is a type of food allergy. It is a hypersensitivity to dietary substances from the yolk or whites of eggs, causing an overreaction of the immune system which may lead to severe physical symptoms for millions of people around the world.[1]

Egg allergy appears mainly, but not exclusively, in children. In fact, it is the second most common food allergy in children.[2] (The most common is cows' milk allergy). It is usually treated with an exclusion diet and vigilant avoidance of foods that may be contaminated with egg. The most severe food allergy reaction is called anaphylaxis[3] and is an emergency situation requiring immediate attention and treatment with epinephrine. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimates that most children outgrow egg allergy by the age of five, but some people remain allergic for a lifetime.

What Happens When a Person Has an Egg Allergy?

Eggs in themselves aren't bad, but when you're allergic to them, your body thinks they are. When a person is allergic to eggs, the body's immune system overreacts to proteins in the egg. Every time something made with eggs enters the digestive system of a person with an egg allergy, the body thinks that these proteins are harmful invaders.

The immune system responds by creating specific antibodies to that food, which are designed to fight off the "invader." These antibodies — called immunoglobulin E (IgE) — trigger the release of certain chemicals into the body, one of which is histamine (pronounced: hiss-tuh-meen).

So when a person with an egg allergy eats a food that contains eggs, the immune system unleashes an army of chemicals to protect the body. The release of these chemicals can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and the cardiovascular system — causing allergy symptoms like wheezing, nausea, headache, stomachache, and itchy hives.

Most people who are allergic react to the proteins in egg whites, but some can't tolerate proteins in the yolk. Egg allergy usually first appears when kids are very young, and most kids outgrow it by the time they're 5 years old.

Symptoms of Egg Allergies:

Symptoms of egg allergy usually appear within minutes to two hours of eating eggs or food containing egg ingredients. Symptoms may include:

    * Skin reactions, such as hives or eczema
    * Allergic conjunctivitis (tchy, red, watery eyes)
    * Gastrointestinal reactions, such as nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhea
    * Airway symptoms, such as wheezing, coughing, or runny nose
    * Angioedema (swelling of lips, tongue, or face)

Egg allergies may cause a severe reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical care.

Reactions

Egg allergy is like most food allergy reactions: It usually happens within minutes to hours after eating eggs. Most reactions last less than a day and may affect any of three body systems:

• the skin — in the form of red, bumpy rashes (hives), eczema, or redness and swelling around the mouth
• the gastrointestinal tract — in the form of belly cramps, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
• the respiratory tract — symptoms can range from a runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, and sneezing to the triggering of asthma with coughing and wheezing

Most people with egg allergy have some of the reactions listed above, but a few people may have a very strong reaction called anaphylaxis (pronounced: ah-nuh-fuh-lak-sis). This severe allergic reaction causes swelling of the mouth, throat, and airways leading to the lungs, resulting in breathing difficulty. In addition, there is a dangerous drop in blood pressure, which can make someone dizzy or pass out, and may quickly lead to shock.

For people who are especially sensitive to eggs, even egg fumes or getting egg on the skin can cause an anaphylactic reaction, so eggs should be kept out of the house completely.

How Can Doctors Tell If a Person Has an Egg Allergy?

If your doctor suspects you might have an egg allergy, he or she will probably refer you to an allergist or allergy specialist for further testing. The allergy specialist will ask you questions — these may cover things like how often you have the reaction, the time it takes between eating a particular food and the start of the symptoms, and whether any family members have allergies or conditions like eczema and asthma.

The allergy specialist may perform a skin test on you. This test involves placing liquid extracts of egg protein on a person's forearm or back, pricking the skin a tiny bit, and waiting to see if a reddish, raised spot forms, indicating an allergic reaction.

You may need to stop taking anti-allergy medications (such as over-the-counter antihistamines) 2 to 3 days before the skin test because they can interfere with the results. Most cold medications as well as some antidepressants may also affect skin testing. Check with the allergist's office if you are unsure about what medications need to be stopped and for how long.

Some doctors may also take a blood sample and send it to a lab where it will be mixed with some of the suspected allergen and checked for IgE antibodies.

In some cases, however, positive results of skin and blood tests aren’t enough to prove that a person’s symptoms are definitely being caused by eggs. So doctors may use what’s called a food challenge to help diagnose the allergy.

With a food challenge, the person is told to not eat eggs or anything made with egg proteins for a certain period of time — usually a few weeks. After that, the person will eat foods that contain eggs only under close supervision from a doctor. If symptoms come back after eating egg products, it's a pretty sure bet the person has an egg allergy.

Avoidance    

• 
       The most successful treatment of egg allergies is to avoid any contact with eggs. Because eggs are included in many products that do not specifically list eggs in the ingredients, it is important to learn to read food nutrition labels and recognize egg products. Some egg-containing ingredients include globulin, livetin, albumin, ovovitellin and phosvitin. Foods toppings such as caesar salad dressing and tartar sauce also contain eggs. Even beverages, such as wines, occasionally contain eggs. You may also want to work with a dietitian or nutritionist to create menu plans and discuss eating options.
  

How to Live with an Egg Allergy

Instructions

             * 1

            Let all of your friends and family know your allergy. Explain to them that foods from the bakery are generally a no-no and so are many breaded and fried foods. Breads that are generally not made with eggs may have cross contamination from other recipes in the bakery.
          * 2

            Ice cream cakes are an excellent alternative to traditional birthday cakes. Be sure your ice cream shop doesn't use eggs in their ice cream. Generally they don't but some custard style ice creams do.
          * 3

            Become familiar with the different egg product ingredients and completely avoid them. These are some egg based ingredients: albumin, dried egg, egg whites, egg solids, egg white solids, globulin, livetin, lysozyme, mergingue, ovalbumin, ovoglobulin, ovomucin, ovomuciod, ovotransferrin, ovovitella, ovovitellin, powdered egg, silici albuminate, Simplesse, vitellin, whole egg.
          * 4

            Immunizations are generally safe but there are some that actually grown on eggs. Both the flu shot and the flu mist are contaminted by eggs. Be sure to always discuss your egg allergy with your doctor before recieving any vacinations. An epi pen should always be available if you should decide to have any vacinations that are contaminated by eggs. Some doctors will request that your allergist give you any risky shots.
          * 5

            Learn how to bake using egg Substitutes. Each star recipe represents one egg:

            *1 tsp. baking powder, 1 T. liquid, 1 T. vinegar

            *1 tsp. yeast dissolved in 1/4 cup warm water

            *1 1/2 T. water, 1 1/2 T. oil, 1 tsp. baking powder
          *

             6

            Always keep your emergency medicines on hand and explain to your friends and family how to use your epipen if needed.

1. • How Is It Treated?

     Treating egg allergy might seem simple — you just don't eat eggs. But so many foods are made with eggs and egg products that it can be really hard to know what's OK and not OK to eat. It's a good idea to work with a registered dietitian to develop an eating plan that provides all the nutrients you need while avoiding things you can't eat. Check out our section on Living With an Egg Allergy (below) for more tips.
     If you have a severe egg allergy — or any kind of serious allergy — your doctor may want you to carry a shot of epinephrine (pronounced: eh-puh-neh-frin) with you in case of an emergency. Epinephrine comes in an easy-to-carry container about the size of a large marker. It’s easy to use — your doctor will show you how.
     If you accidentally eat something with egg in it and start having serious allergic symptoms, like swelling inside your mouth, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, you can give yourself the shot right away to counteract the reaction while you're waiting for medical help. Always call for emergency help (911) when using epinephrine. You should make sure your school and even good friends' houses have injectable epinephrine on hand, too.
     Keeping epinephrine on hand at all times should be just part of your action plan for living with an egg allergy. It's also a good idea to carry an over-the-counter antihistamine as this can help alleviate allergy symptoms in some people. Antihistamines should be used in addition to the epinephrine and not as a replacement for the shot.
     If you've had to take an epinephrine shot because of an allergic reaction, then you should go immediately to a medical facility or hospital emergency room so they can give you additional treatment if you need it. Up to one third of anaphylactic reactions can have a second wave of symptoms several hours following the initial attack. Therefore, you might need to be observed in a clinic or hospital for 4 to 8 hours following the reaction.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

BERMUDA TRIANGLE

Bermuda (or "Devil's") Triangle

The Bermuda Triangle (a.k.a. the Devil's Triangle) is a triangular area in the Atlantic Ocean bounded roughly at its points by Miami, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico. Legend has it that many people, ships and planes have mysteriously vanished in this area. How many have mysteriously disappeared depends on who is doing the locating and the counting. The size of the triangle varies from 500,000 square miles to three times that size, depending on the imagination of the author. (Some include the Azores, the Gulf of Mexico, and the West Indies in the "triangle.") Some trace the mystery back to the time of Columbus. Even so, estimates range from about 200 to no more than 1,000 incidents in the past 500 years. Howard Rosenberg claims that in 1973 the U.S. Coast Guard answered more than 8,000 distress calls in the area and that  more than 50 ships and 20 planes have gone down in the Bermuda Triangle within the last century.

Many theories have been given to explain the extraordinary mystery of these missing ships and planes. Evil extraterrestrials, residue crystals from Atlantis, evil humans with anti-gravity devices or other weird technologies, and vile vortices from the fourth dimension are favorites among fantasy writers. Strange magnetic fields and oceanic flatulence (methane gas from the bottom of the ocean) are favorites among the technically-minded. Weather (thunderstorms, hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, high waves, currents, etc.) bad luck, pirates, explosive cargoes, incompetent navigators, and other natural and human causes are favorites among skeptical investigators.

There are some skeptics who argue that the facts do not support the legend, that there is no mystery to be solved, and nothing that needs explaining. The number of wrecks in this area is not extraordinary, given its size, location and the amount of traffic it receives. Many of the ships and planes that have been identified as having disappeared mysteriously in the Bermuda Triangle were not in the Bermuda Triangle at all. Investigations to date have not produced scientific evidence of any unusual phenomena involved in the disappearances. Thus, any explanation, including so-called scientific ones in terms of methane gas being released from the ocean floor, magnetic disturbances, etc., are not needed. The real mystery is how the Bermuda Triangle became a mystery at all.

The modern legend of the Bermuda Triangle began soon after five Navy planes [Flight 19] vanished on a training mission during a severe storm in 1945. The most logical theory as to why they vanished is that lead pilot Lt. Charles Taylor’s compass failed. The trainees' planes were not equipped with working navigational instruments. The group was disoriented and simply, though tragically, ran out of fuel. No mysterious forces were likely to have been involved other than the mysterious force of gravity on  planes with no fuel. It is true that one of the rescue planes blew up shortly after take-off, but this was likely due to a faulty gas tank rather than to any mysterious forces.

Over the years there have been dozens of articles, books, and television programs promoting the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. In his study of this material, Larry Kusche found that few did any investigation into the mystery. Rather, they passed on the speculations of their predecessors as if they were passing on the mantle of truth. Of the many uncritical accounts of the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle, perhaps no one has done more to create this myth than Charles Berlitz, who had a bestseller on the subject in 1974. After examining the 400+ page official report of the Navy Board of Investigation of the disappearance of the Navy planes in 1945, Kusche found that the Board wasn't baffled at all by the incident and did not mention alleged radio transmissions cited by Berlitz in his book. According to Kusche, what isn't misinterpreted by Berlitz is fabricated. Kusche writes: "If Berlitz were to report that a boat were red, the chance of it being some other color is almost a certainty." (Berlitz, by the way, did not invent the name; that was done by Vincent Gaddis in "The Deadly Bermuda Triangle," which appeared in the February, 1964, issue of Argosy, a magazine devoted to fiction.)

In short, the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle became a mystery by a kind of communal reinforcement among uncritical authors and a willing mass media to uncritically pass on the speculation that something mysterious is going on in the Atlantic.

The Bermuda Triangle is a strange and mysterious place in the southern Atlantic Ocean. It is roughly the shape of a triangle and it is said to have sucked planes and boats into its dark and murky waters. No one knows what happened to the planes and boats. When some enter the waters of the triangle they disappear forever.

The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil's Triangle, is a region in the western part of the North Atlantic Ocean where a number of aircraft and surface vessels allegedly disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Popular culture has attributed these disappearances to the paranormal or activity by extraterrestrial beings.[1] Documented evidence indicates that a significant percentage of the incidents were inaccurately reported or embellished by later authors, and numerous official agencies have stated that the number and nature of disappearances in the region is similar to that in any other area of ocean.

History

Origins

The earliest allegation of unusual disappearances in the Bermuda area appeared in a September 16, 1950 Associated Press article by Edward Van Winkle Jones.[5] Two years later, Fate magazine published "Sea Mystery At Our Back Door",[6] a short article by George X. Sand covering the loss of several planes and ships, including the loss of Flight 19, a group of five U.S. Navy TBM Avenger bombers on a training mission. Sand's article was the first to lay out the now-familiar triangular area where the losses took place. Flight 19 alone would be covered in the April 1962 issue of American Legion Magazine.[7] It was claimed that the flight leader had been heard saying "We are entering white water, nothing seems right. We don't know where we are, the water is green, no white." It was also claimed that officials at the Navy board of inquiry stated that the planes "flew off to Mars." Sand's article was the first to suggest a supernatural element to the Flight 19 incident. In the February 1964 issue of Argosy, Vincent Gaddis's article "The Deadly Bermuda Triangle" argued that Flight 19 and other disappearances were part of a pattern of strange events in the region.[8] The next year, Gaddis expanded this article into a book, Invisible Horizons.[9]

Others would follow with their own works, elaborating on Gaddis's ideas: John Wallace Spencer (Limbo of the Lost, 1969, repr. 1973);[10] Charles Berlitz (The Bermuda Triangle, 1974);[11] Richard Winer (The Devil's Triangle, 1974),[12] and many others, all keeping to some of the same supernatural elements outlined by Eckert.[13]


The Bermuda Triangle

The "Bermuda Triangle" or "Devil's Triangle" is an imaginary area located off the southeastern Atlantic coast of the United States of America, which is noted for a supposedly high incidence of unexplained disappearances of ships and aircraft. The apexes of the triangle are generally believed to be Bermuda; Miami, Florida; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The US Board of Geographic Names does not recognize the Bermuda Triangle as an official name. The US Navy does not believe the Bermuda Triangle exists. It is reported that Lloyd's of London, the world's leading market for specialist insurance, does not charge higher premiums for vessels transiting this heavily traveled area.

The most famous US Navy losses which have occurred in the area popularly known as the Bermuda Triangle are USS Cyclops in March 1918 and the aircraft of Flight 19 in December 1945. The ship probably sank in an unexpected storm, and the aircraft ran out of fuel and crashed into the ocean -- no physical traces of them have ever been found. Another well known disappearance is the civilian tanker SS Marine Sulphur Queen carrying bulk molten sulfur which sank in February 1963. Although the wreck of Marine Sulphur Queen has not been located, a life preserver and other floating artifacts were recovered. These disappearances have been used to provide credence to the popular belief in the mystery and purported supernatural qualities of the "Bermuda Triangle."


Since the days of early civilization many thousands of ships have sunk and/or disappeared in waters around the world due to navigational and other human errors, storms, piracy, fires, and structural/mechanical failures. Aircraft are subject to the same problems, and many of them have crashed at sea around the globe. Often, there were no living witnesses to the sinking or crash, and hence the exact cause of the loss and the location of the lost ship or aircraft are unknown. A large number of pleasure boats travel the waters between Florida and the Bahamas. All too often, crossings are attempted with too small a boat, insufficient knowledge of the area's hazards, and a lack of good seamanship.


To see how common accidents are at sea, you can examine some of the recent accident reports of the National Transportation Safety Board for ships and aircraft. One of the aircraft accident reports concerns an in-flight engine failure and subsequent ditching of a Cessna aircraft near Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas on 13 July 2003. This is the type of accident that would likely have been attributed to mysterious causes in the Bermuda Triangle if there had been no survivors or other eyewitnesses of the crash.


A significant factor with regard to missing vessels in the Bermuda Triangle is a strong ocean current called the Gulf Stream. It is extremely swift and turbulent and can quickly erase evidence of a disaster. The weather also plays its role. Prior to the development of telegraph, radio and radar, sailors did not know a storm or hurricane was nearby until it appeared on the horizon. For example, the Continental Navy sloop Saratoga was lost off the Bahamas in such a storm with all her crew on 18 March 1781. Many other US Navy ships have been lost at sea in storms around the world. Sudden local thunder storms and water spouts can sometimes spell disaster for mariners and air crews. Finally, the topography of the ocean floor varies from extensive shoals around the islands to some of the deepest marine trenches in the world. With the interaction of the strong currents over the many reefs the topography of the ocean bottom is in a state of flux and the development of new navigational hazards can sometimes be swift.
It has been inaccurately claimed that the Bermuda Triangle is one of the two places on earth at which a magnetic compass points towards true north. Normally a compass will point toward magnetic north. The difference between the two is known as compass variation. The amount of variation changes by as much as 60 degrees at various locations around the World. If this compass variation or error is not compensated for, navigators can find themselves far off course and in deep trouble. Although in the past this compass variation did affect the "Bermuda Triangle" region, due to fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field this has apparently not been the case since the nineteenth century.


We know of no US Government-issued maps that delineate the boundaries of the Bermuda Triangle. However, general maps as well as nautical and aviation charts of the general area are widely available in libraries and from commercial map dealers.

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CONTRACEPTIVES

con·tra·cep·tive  (kntr-sptv)

adj.

Capable of preventing conception.

n.

A device, drug, or chemical agent that prevents conception.

1. What are contraceptives?

   • The term "contraceptive" denotes anything that is intended to prevent pregnancy during heterosexual vaginal intercourse or, in the form of emergency contraceptives, to end a potential pregnancy within the first few days after a sexual encounter. The most commonly used contraceptives are so-called "barrier" contraceptives such as condoms, cervical sponges, diaphragms and spermicidal agents. There are also certain hormonal medications, taken in the form of a pill, shot, patch or implant, which fool a woman's body into thinking that it is already pregnant and keep her from actually becoming pregnant. There are also IUD's (intrauterine devices), which are placed inside of the uterus to prevent a pregnancy from occurring.
    
2. What are the advantages of contraceptives?
         There are many potential benefits of contraceptives. To begin with, they are used by many as a form of family planning that allows for sex without the inevitable result of children. Some contraceptives, such as condoms, can also help to keep sexually transmitted diseases from spreading. Contraceptives are also useful tools in modern society as a form of advancement and liberation for women. Sexually active women in modern society can use contraceptives to ensure that they are able to pursue a career or education while also engaged in a heterosexual romantic relationship.
   
   

   What are the disadvantages of contraceptives?

   • Many argue that there are moral and psychological disadvantages to using contraceptives. There is also the fact that contraceptives are not foolproof and pregnancy can occur, even when they are used perfectly. Another disadvantage is societal ignorance toward their proper use and efficacy, which can lead to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. It is also possible for contraceptives to have negative health effects on those using them, such as allergic reactions or blood clots if using the birth control pill.

Contraception 

Definition

Contraception (birth control) prevents pregnancy by interfering with the normal process of ovulation, fertilization, and implantation. There are different kinds of birth control that act at different points in the process.

Purpose

Every month, a woman's body begins the process that can potentially lead to pregnancy. An egg (ovum) matures, the mucus that is secreted by the cervix (a cylindrical-shaped organ at the lower end of the uterus) changes to be more inviting to sperm, and the lining of the uterus grows in preparation for receiving a fertilized egg. Any woman who wants to prevent pregnancy must use a reliable form of birth control.

Types Of Contraceptives
Effectiveness	Predicted (%)	Actual (%)
Birth control pills	99.9	97
Condoms	98	88
Depo Provera	99.7	99.7
Diaphragm	94	82
IUDs	99.2	97
Norplant	99.7	99.7
Tubal sterilization	99.8	99.6
Spermicides	97	79
Vasectomy	99.9	99.9

Birth control (contraception) is designed to interfere with the normal process and prevent the pregnancy that could result. There are different kinds of birth control that act at different points in the process, from ovulation, through fertilization, to implantation. Each method has its own side effects and risks. Some methods are more reliable than others.

There are more different types of birth control available today than ever. They can be divided into a few groups based on how they work. These groups include:

    * Hormonal methods—These use medications (hormones) to prevent ovulation. Hormonal methods include birth control pills (oral contraceptives), Depo Provera injections, and Norplant.
    * Barrier methods—These methods work by preventing the sperm from getting to and fertilizing the egg. Barrier methods include the condom, diaphragm, and cervical cap. The condom is the only form of birth control that also protects against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV (the virus that causes AIDS).
    * Spermicides—These medications kill sperm on contact. Most spermicides contain nonoxynyl-9. Spermicides come in many different forms such as jelly, foam, tablets, and even a transparent film. All are placed in the vagina. Spermicides work best when they are used at the same time as a barrier method.
    * Intrauterine devices—Intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) are inserted into the uterus, where they stay from one to 10 years. An IUD prevents the fertilized egg from implanting in the lining of the uterus, and may have other effects as well.
    * Tubal sterilization—Tubal sterilization is a permanent form of contraception for women. Each fallopian tube is either tied or burned closed. The sperm cannot reach the egg, and the egg cannot travel to the uterus.

    * Vasectomy—is the male form of sterilization, and should also be considered permanent. In vasectomy, the vas defrens, the tiny tubes that carry the sperm into the semen, are cut and tied off. Thus, no sperm can get into the semen.
    * A newer and somewhat controversial form of birth control is emergency contraception. This type is used after unprotected intercourse and sometimes is referred to as the "morning-after pill".

Unfortunately, there is no perfect form of birth control. Only abstinence (not having sexual intercourse) can protect against unwanted pregnancy with 100% reliability. The failure rates, which means the rates of pregnancy, for most forms of birth control are quite low. However, some forms of birth control are more difficult or inconvenient to use than others. In actual practice, the birth control methods that are more difficult or inconvenient have much higher failure rates because they are not used regularly or as prescribed.

Description

Most forms of birth control have one thing in common. They are only effective if used faithfully. Birth control pills will work only if taken every day; the diaphragm is effective only if used during every episode of sexual intercourse. The same is true for condoms and the cervical cap. Some methods automatically work every day. These methods include Depo Provera, Norplant, the IUD, and tubal sterilization.

There are many different ways to use birth control. They can be divided into several groups:

• By mouth (oral)—Birth control pills must be taken by mouth every day.
• Injected—Depo Provera is a hormonal medication that is given by injection every three months.
• Implanted—Norplant is a long-acting hormonal form of birth control that is implanted under the skin of the upper arm.
• Vaginal—Spermicides and barrier methods work in the vagina.
• Intra-uterine—The IUD is inserted into the uterus.
• Surgical—Tubal sterilization is a form of surgery. A doctor must perform the procedure in a hospital or surgical clinic. Many women need general anesthesia.

The methods of birth control differ from each other in the timing of when they are used. Some methods of birth control must be used specifically at the time of sexual intercourse (condoms, diaphragm, cervical cap, spermicides). Emergency contraception must be started as soon as possible after intercourse and no more than 72 hours after. All other methods of birth control (hormonal methods, IUDs, tubal sterilization) must be working all the time to provide protection.

Precautions

There are risks associated with certain forms of birth control. Some of the risks of each method are listed below:

    * Birth control pills—The hormone (estrogen) in birth control pills can increase the risk of heart attack in women over 35, particularly those who smoke. Certain women cannot use birth control pills.
    * IUD—The IUD can increase the risk of serious pelvic infection. The IUD can also injure the uterus by poking into or through the uterine wall. Surgery might be needed to fix this.
    * Tubal sterilization—"Tying the tubes" is a surgical procedure and has all the risks of any other surgery, including those associated with anesthesia, as well as infection and bleeding.
    * Emergency contraceptive pills should not be used regularly for birth control. They can interrupt the menstrual cycle and are not 100% effective. If the emergency contraception fails, an ectopic pregnancy can occur.

Preparation

No specific preparation is needed before using contraception. However, a woman must be sure that she is not already pregnant before using a hormonal method or having an IUD placed.

Aftercare

No aftercare is needed.

Risks

Many methods of birth control have side effects. Knowing the side effects can help a woman to determine which method of birth control is right for her.

    * Hormonal methods—The hormones in birth control pills, Depo Provera, and Norplant can cause changes in menstrual periods, changes in mood, weight gain, acne, and headaches. In addition, it may take many months to begin ovulating again once a woman stops using Depo Provera or Norplant.
    * Barrier methods—A woman must insert the diaphragm in just the right way to be sure that it works properly. Some women get more urinary tract infections if they use a diaphragm. This is because the diaphragm can press against the urethra, the tube that connects the bladder to the outside.
    * Spermicides—Some women and men are allergic to spermicides or find them irritating to the skin.
    * IUD—The IUD is a foreign body that stays inside the uterus, and the uterus tries to get it out. A woman may have heavier menstrual periods and more menstrual cramping with an IUD in place.
    * Tubal sterilization—Some women report increased menstrual discomfort after tubal ligation. It is not known if this is related to the tubal ligation itself.

There is no perfect form of birth control. Every method has a small failure rate and side effects. Some methods carry additional risks. However, every method of birth control can be effective if used properly.

Resources

Periodicals

"Contraception; Overview." NWHRC Health Center—Contraception March 9, 2004.

"Ectopic Pregnancy Is a Possibility When Emergency Contraception Fails." Health & Medicine Week March 15, 2004: 222.

Key terms

Fallopian tubes — The thin tubes that connect the ovary to the uterus. Ova (eggs) travel from the ovary to the uterus. If the egg has been fertilized, it can implant in the uterus.

Fertilization — The joining of the sperm and the egg; conception.

Implantation — The process in which the fertilized egg embeds itself in the wall of the uterus.

Ovulation — The release of an egg (ovum) from the ovary.

Different Types of Contraceptives

Different types of contraceptive are available to women and men for pregnancy preventions. The various methods depend on people's preferences and price ranges, as most methods are more than 90 percent effective when used properly. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health outlines some of the common kinds of contraceptives used for pregnancy prevention.

1. Oral Contraceptives

   • Oral contraceptives, or birth control pills, are made of synthetic hormones that regulate ovulation, making it hard for semen to enter the uterus and fertilize eggs. They are up to 98 percent effective when taken properly. A residual side effect that many women experience is acne relief. Pills price ranges from under $10 to more than $50.

   Latex Condoms

   • Latex condoms are contraceptives worn by males. Condoms are placed over an erect penis and prevent the release of semen in the vaginal area. They are 90 percent effective when used properly. They can be purchased at supermarkets and pharmacies for less than $10 a box.

   Injections

   • Injections are contraceptives that are not as time consuming as oral methods or condoms. Every three months, women visit their doctors and receive a shot for between $30 and $60 per shot. The Office on Women's Health says shots are 99 percent effective.

   Intrauterine Devices (IUD)

   • An IUD looks like a T-shaped plastic device with strings attached. Doctors insert the device in the uterus where it stays for approximately five to eight years before doctors need to remove it. It is 99 percent effective, but costs as much as $500. Many doctors only suggest IUDs for women who already have at least one child or have medical conditions that prevent them from taking oral contraception.

   Implants

   • Implants are contraceptives that doctors place under the skin of the upper arm. Implants release small amounts of hormones that prevent pregnancy. They are 99 percent effective and work up to five years. Implants cost between $500 and $900 to insert under the skin, and $100 to $300 to remove.

   Vaginal Rings

   • Like IUDs, vaginal rings are inserted into the vagina. The ring slowly releases hormones into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy. After three weeks, doctors replace the ring. Vaginal rings cost from $15 to $50, and are 99 percent effective when used correctly.