[Magdalen] New York Ebola.

[ME Michaud]

I think there's lots of magical thinking in the medical profession.

Consider the history of puerperal fever in the United States.
Called "the doctor's plague," it was spread by physicians who
didn't wash their hands before/after examining patients.
They scoffed at Semmelweis' suggestion that they do so,
claiming that, since they were doctors, their hands were
incapable of spreading infection.

After a thorough mocking, eventually his theories gained
ground, and maternal deaths dropped from ten per cent
(up to 30, some claim) to nearly zero.

So if you're wondering why your great-great grandmother
died at age 26 ...
-M



On Fri, Oct 24, 2014 at 1:17 AM, Cantor03--- via Magdalen <
magdalen at herberthouse.org> wrote:

>
>
>
> Honestly, I am embarrassed about some of the lapses by the members
> of my profession.
>
> This 33 year old ER physician who recently returned from a  humanitarian
> visit to the Ebola affected African countries, was supposed to
> self-quarantine
> himself for the usual 21 days.  He did not.  He has been riding  over NYC
> on several subways, bowling in Brooklyn, etc., etc.  He is now  certifiably
> sick
> with Ebola.
>
> The only positive aspect of this is that he apparently was not back at work
>  in
> his NYC ER.
>
> Dr. Nancy Snyder and her NBC News Team also returned from the  affected
> areas, and none of the team, including the physician, were in  quarantine.
> Luckily, they are all now past the magic 21 days, and presumed not
> infected.
>
> What is wrong with these people?
>
> As much as I admire the ER physician for putting himself at risk to  help
> others, there is the potential for much damage by his actions on  return
> to the USA.  I do hope for his speedy recovery.
>
>
> David Strang.
>
>