the body politic / Germ Warfare by RUSTY UNGER (02/28/00: a long article from New York about the vehement and bitter controversy dividing the medical community about Lyme disease. First noticed in 1975 as a novel type of arthritis in Lyme, CT and determined to be caused by a tick-borne bacterium called borrelia, some maverick physicians want to alert their colleagues to their contention that the disease goes on in some cases to a persistent systemic form despite treatment. Of particular interest to me, as a psychiatrist, are reports that it may be behind certain puzzling cases of neurobehavioral symptoms. Most MDs scoff at these claims and discount case reports of patients whose deterioration has been reversed by aggressive recurrent treatment for the infectious process. “In one corner is a group of those predominantly university-based physicians who

develop drugs, receive research grants from federal health agencies, and often

advise insurance companies. They contend that Lyme is usually simple to

diagnose and easily curable with two to four weeks of oral antibiotics. Chronic

Lyme, they say, is extremely rare, not a disease but merely a group of

symptoms remaining after the initial infection is treated that usually disperse.

In the other corner stands a group of primary-care

doctors, those on the front lines who see Lyme

patients every day, and a number of other

scientists — all of whom maintain that the illness

is far more complicated. Late-term or lingering

cases of Lyme disease, they say, may require six

months or more of oral antibiotic therapy and

intense intravenous therapy — which some like to administer in a hyperbaric

chamber. They believe that the increased oxygen of the chamber helps kill the

tenacious spirochetes — known as Borrelia burgdorferi — deposited by the

blood-sucking deer tick. Burrowing rapidly into the tissues, joints, and central

nervous system, borrelia slightly resembles the syphilis spirochete in the way it

feeds, sleeps, and reproduces.” Detractors have accused the more aggressive Lyme doctors of overdiagnosing and overtreating. But recently they’ve gone further. Several of the “Lyme literate” (as they are known by their supporters) are under investigation or have already lost their licenses. Bad medical practice or merely the unpopularity of their approach and beliefs? A case study in how illness definition has political as well as scientific influences…

Readme Quick: Do you read too slowly, as most people who value reading complain about themselves? How do you measure up? Can you improve? The Slate reading test.

the body politic / Germ Warfare by RUSTY UNGER (02/28/00: a long article from New York about the vehement and bitter controversy dividing the medical community about Lyme disease. First noticed in 1975 as a novel type of arthritis in Lyme, CT and determined to be caused by a tick-borne bacterium called borrelia, some maverick physicians want to alert their colleagues to their contention that the disease goes on in some cases to a persistent systemic form despite treatment. Of particular interest to me, as a psychiatrist, are reports that it may be behind certain puzzling cases of neurobehavioral symptoms. Most MDs scoff at these claims and discount case reports of patients whose deterioration has been reversed by aggressive recurrent treatment for the infectious process. “In one corner is a group of those predominantly university-based physicians who

develop drugs, receive research grants from federal health agencies, and often

advise insurance companies. They contend that Lyme is usually simple to

diagnose and easily curable with two to four weeks of oral antibiotics. Chronic

Lyme, they say, is extremely rare, not a disease but merely a group of

symptoms remaining after the initial infection is treated that usually disperse.

In the other corner stands a group of primary-care

doctors, those on the front lines who see Lyme

patients every day, and a number of other

scientists — all of whom maintain that the illness

is far more complicated. Late-term or lingering

cases of Lyme disease, they say, may require six

months or more of oral antibiotic therapy and

intense intravenous therapy — which some like to administer in a hyperbaric

chamber. They believe that the increased oxygen of the chamber helps kill the

tenacious spirochetes — known as Borrelia burgdorferi — deposited by the

blood-sucking deer tick. Burrowing rapidly into the tissues, joints, and central

nervous system, borrelia slightly resembles the syphilis spirochete in the way it

feeds, sleeps, and reproduces.” Detractors have accused the more aggressive Lyme doctors of overdiagnosing and overtreating. But recently they’ve gone further. Several of the “Lyme literate” (as they are known by their supporters) are under investigation or have already lost their licenses. Bad medical practice or merely the unpopularity of their approach and beliefs? A case study in how illness definition has political as well as scientific influences…

Readme Quick: Do you read too slowly, as most people who value reading complain about themselves? How do you measure up? Can you improve? The Slate reading test.

Infiltration: Transit Tunnels FAQ: a guide to the art of exploring abandoned subway tracks and stations beneath several of our cities. Includes a discussion of the possibilities of attack by “mole people” who, in unrban legend, live in these tunnels. The FAQ includes a list of recent films featuring people infiltrating transit tunnels onscreen; I can’t believe I’ve seen every film on the list. Infiltration is a ‘zine “about going places you’re not supposed to go” and a part of an urban exploration webring.

Wired notes the upsurge in weblogging:

“…For example, Memepool recently provided

links to sites for creating your own Old

Testament adventure, bubblewrap

lingerie, and entomophagy.

At the same time, Yahoo’s What’s New

linked to Philip Morris, Quaker Oatmeal,

and Clover Stornetta Farms.

Barger says in these days of

commerce-driven portals, weblogs are by

far the best way to explore the Net. So

efficient is the weblog circuit, Barger

estimates that anything new on the Web

will filter through the system within a

month.”

“You’re probably wondering why I allowed you to

bang on my car, why I didn’t simply drive

away and leave you sputtering in my rear-view. So let me tell you: I was

considering the possibility of opening my glove compartment, pulling out the

handgun I keep there, and sticking that gun into your mouth until you forked

over whatever money you keep in your expensive-looking riding suit. I battled

the temptation. You gambled on a stranger’s decency, and this time you won.” [via World New York]

Infiltration: Transit Tunnels FAQ: a guide to the art of exploring abandoned subway tracks and stations beneath several of our cities. Includes a discussion of the possibilities of attack by “mole people” who, in unrban legend, live in these tunnels. The FAQ includes a list of recent films featuring people infiltrating transit tunnels onscreen; I can’t believe I’ve seen every film on the list. Infiltration is a ‘zine “about going places you’re not supposed to go” and a part of an urban exploration webring.