Hilary's Desk

There are none so blind as those who appear to be control freaks.  Peter Gluckman’s words - “For the first time ever, we have a way of working out what mothers should eat” – were considered worthy of the subtext box front page of the paper version of the Herald on Tuesday. You have to wonder why.  Here’s the online version.  Read Full Blog

Yesterday, in discussing the cozy relationship of the medical profession with big pharma while paying lip service to nutrition, I remembered an old book I have on this topic.  It's quaint title is, "Intestinal Gardening for the Prolongation of Youth". It was written by Dr James Empringham, and published in 1926.  It's fascinating; makes me chuckle, and roll my eyes at the same time.  Why?  Because it shows just how insular the average doctor was.  And by proxy, still is.  Much of what he writes is just plain common sense, which us fruitloops have long been wise to.  There are a few interesting gems in this book, so have a gander at this lot: Read Full Blog

Ever wondered about paediatricians who blog? This is one time where it would be of educational value to read all the embedded links. The full implications of some types of medical "practice" might not sink in, unless you do. Read Full Blog

Geneticists just love clamouring about how genes cause everything from obesity, to disease to cancer. Anyone with an ounce of commonsense knows that that’s not the whole story. So when the Herald runs a story which shows why Amish people with the gene which makes other people fat, don’t get fat, it’s a reason to celebrate. Read Full Blog