This week's compendium

Here’s this week’s compendium. This week…

1. I was sorry to read Al and Tipper Gore are separating after 40 years of marriage [1]. Big pity.

2. I was also sorry to read that Art Linkletter had died [2a]. Michael Schildberger too [2b]. I grew up with Art’s TV show People are Funny [2c]; and I attended the same synagogue as Michael.

3. treehugger reported on an electric car that went 623.76 miles (1,003 kilometres) on one charge [3]. That’s so impressive.

4. the BMJ reported that infrequent tooth-brushing’s linked to a higher risk of heart disease [4]. Apparently it’s an oral hygiene issue. At least twice a day’s the go, folks.

5. the BMJ also reported that active elderly people who wear multifocal glasses reduce their risk for falls if they use single-focus, distance-vision lenses during outdoor activities [5]. Makes sense to me.

6. I read this item about bald guys [6a]. I’m okay being one [6b].

7. treehugger reported that German researchers are using shark skin-like paint to make wind turbines more efficient [7]. It has implications for cars, planes, boats etc.

8. Nutrition Diva told us all we need to know about salt [8]. Including that we should all eat less of the stuff.

Finally, I wish you, dear Farmdoc’s Blog readers, a wonderful week.

farmdoc's blog post number 96

Art Linkletter. Heard of him? He was host of one of the longest running shows in US broadcast history: People are Funny. They are. Part of the physical examination of the shoulder is testing the range of movement. And putting the hand as far up the back as possible tests shoulder internal rotation. Because a man I examined recently had a right frozen shoulder, he couldn’t get his hand up his back further than the hip pocket of his trousers. His wife said that given her husband’s difficulty accessing his wallet, she’d suggested he put it in his left hip pocket, and he’d replied he couldn’t – it just wouldn’t feel right. I know: Once after the right hip pocket in a pair of my jeans frayed right through, I tried carrying my wallet in the left hip pocket, but that made me feel somehow lopsided. (I solved the problem by buying new jeans.) Folks, there’s a PhD thesis here for the taking: Is right or left handedness related to which hip pocket a man carries his wallet in; and if so, what do mollydookers do with their wallets when their trousers only have a right-sided hip pocket? Yes Mr Linkletter, people are funny. And every one has something interesting to tell. We just need to be open to listening to it. That’s all.