Diseases questions

Tobacco was recognised by Europeans as a medicine soon after it was first imported from the New World, and tobacco smoke was used by western medical practitioners as a tool against cold and drowsiness. During the early 19th century the practice fell into decline, when it was discovered that the principal active agent in tobacco smoke, nicotine, is poisonous. A tobacco smoke enema was employed by the indigenous peoples of North America to stimulate respiration, injecting the smoke with a rectal tube

Australia was the first country in the world to introduce plain packaging, with all packets sold from 1 December 2012 being sold in logo-free, drab dark brown packaging. There has been opposition from tobacco companies to plain packaging laws, some of which have sued the Australian government. Since the Australian government won the court cases, several other countries have enacted plain packaging laws.

Ablutophobia, or fear of bathing, is a relatively uncommon but serious phobia that appears to be more prevalent in women and children. It can manifest in many ways, from a fear of showering to a complete phobia of all washing.

Polish plait (Plica polonica in Latin), plica, or trichoma is a formation of hair. This term can refer to a hairstyle or supposes a medical condition. It also relates to the system of beliefs in European folklore, and healing practices in traditional medicine in Poland that supported neglected, matted hair as an amulet, or as a catchment for illness leaving the body.

Ukerewe is the largest island in Lake Victoria is situated in the Ukerewe District of Tanzania. Ukerewe is known for having a large population of Africans with albinism. Many of the first of them to live there were taken to and abandoned on the island by their families as children. Despite comprising an exceptionally high percentage of the island's population, they are still, as throughout Tanzania, an oppressed minority although on Ukerewe safer than elsewhere in Africa.

In a 2011 interview with Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling, Daniel Radcliffe (the actor that portrayed Harry) revealed that there had been several pairs of the iconic round-rimmed Harry Potter glasses in the beginning of filming as they’d discovered he was allergic to the plastic used in the original pair.

Auto-brewery syndrome, also known as gut fermentation syndrome, is a rare medical condition in which intoxicating quantities of ethanol are produced through endogenous fermentation within the digestive system. A type of yeast, has been identified as a pathogen for this condition. Claims of endogenous fermentation of this type have been used as a defense against drunk driving charges.

Most cases of Down syndrome are caused by trisomy 21. Occasionally, the extra chromosome #21 or a portion of it is attached to another chromosome in the egg or sperm; this may cause "translocation Down syndrome." This is the only form of Down syndrome that may be inherited from a parent.

Karōshi (過労死), which can be translated literally as "overwork death" in Japanese, is occupational sudden mortality. The major medical causes of karōshi deaths are heart attack and stroke due to stress and a starvation diet. This phenomenon is also widespread in other parts of Asia as well. The first case of karōshi was recorded in Japan in 1969.

The Plagues of Egypt were ten calamities that, according to the biblical Book of Exodus, God inflicted upon Egypt as a demonstration of power, after which the Pharaoh conceded to Moses' demands to let the enslaved Israelites go into the wilderness to make sacrifices. God repeatedly hardened the Pharaoh's heart to prevent him from consenting until after the tenth plague. The Israelites' eventual departure began the Exodus of the Hebrew people.