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University Daily Kansan, October 22, 1981
Diet pills dangerous medical experts warn
By TERESA RIORDAN Staff Reporter
About 25 brands of nonprescription diet pill sales in Lawrence contain an amphytamine-like drug that could cause potentially fatal damage to blood vessels in the brain.
The ingredient, phenylpropanolamine, or PPA, can be especially dangerous to people with high blood pressure, diabetes or hyperthyroidism, Dave Henry, an instructor of clinical pharmacy at the University of Kansas Medical Center, said Tuesday.
For people who have normal health, the problem is rare at recommended dosages, but taking large quantities for prolonged periods creates a potential for a problem. he said.
"People figure that if one pill does them a little bit of good, 'Three will do me a lot of good,'" said Henry. "Unfortunately that's not true."
A CONSUMER group petitioned the Food and Drug Administration Monday to ban the use of PPA in non-prescription diet pills because it has been linked with high blood pressure and occasional psychotic incidents.
The group, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, charged that PPA was minimally effective as a treatment because it stimulated the brain and caused large increases in blood pressure.
The Smithkline Corporation, which makes Dietac, one of the products containing PPA, said that the drug was safe and that the corporation's private studies showed no proof that the pill had a significant effect on blood pressure when taken in recommended doses.
However, a report published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association said seven people were treated in hospital emergency rooms for hallucinations and other amphetamine-like reactions after having taken just one diet pill.
THE CENTER also said that a report from the national Poison Control Center estimated that "on the order of 10,000 or more poisoning cases and 1,000 emergency room visits involving PPA weight control products are now occurring each year."
PPA is an active ingredient in numerous cold and sinus remedies as well as diet pills.
As a nasal decongestant and appetite suppressant, it is found in such products as Appedrine, Conforma, Dietac, Diazex, Ordinemx, and Promaline.
Although Watkins Hospital has not admitted anyone with diet pill related problems, Martin Woolmond, director of health services, said yesterday that the hospital had recommended or prescribe diet pills.
"I don't believe in diet pills except in extreme cases of obesity when the extreme is urgent," he said.
Quakes do shake state, unnoticed by most
Earthquake in Kansas.
By JoLYNNE WALZ
It's not just another disaster movie scenario, but a very real possibility. Don Stephens, a seismologist with the ecological Survey, said earlier this week.
"The largest earthquake in Kansas was in 1867." Steeples said.
He said that it was strong enough to topple chimneys, crack foundations and roofs.
The most recent major Kansas County in 1961, he said.
to rock a nuclear power plant in Kansas like the one at Wolf Creek, it could turn into a real disaster, like Three Mile Island, Steeples said.
However, it a major earthquake were
"The Nuclear Regulatory Commission wants to know about how strong the earthquakes will be and when to expect them." he said.
Survey researchers have found that the Wolf Creek plant is not in imminent danger of being topped by an earthquake, unlike the nuclear power plant.
in that country any man suspected that
"They designed that plant to lie right next to an active fault," he said.
A fault is a weak place in the earth that causes earthquakes when it slips.
"I wouldn't live downwind of Diablo Canyon," Steeples said. "I would live downwind of Wolf Creek."
MOST KANSAS architects don't have to draw up special plans to make their
buildings earthquake-proof, Steeples
and nuclear power plants like Wolf Creek
"By law, in Kansas you have to design for sustained winds of 50 to 60 mph," he said. "That's the same type of fire-resistant the design for earthquake resistance."
Those dangers exist because Kansas is located on two ancient geological structures known as the Nemaha Ridge and the Mid-Continent Rift.
Taking those extra design precautions is probably enough to protect Kansans against the moderate earthquake dangers that exist here, he
THOUSANDS OF YEARS ago the Nemaha Ridge was once a mountain range, similar to the Rocky Mountains, Steeplees said.
That range has been worn flat and
covered by layers of earth, but Steeple said that old faults in the range might sometimes slip and cause earthquakes.
The Mid-Continent Rift is a suture
from Kuzmin to Cordillera, located
from Kuzmin to the Superior, he said.
He said that faults formed where the shores pressed together and that the area was prone to earthquakes.
Thousands of years ago the Mid-Continent Rift was an ocean, Steeples said, but as the earth's face was molded in its present features over the centuries, the two shores of the ocean were pushed together.
THERE HAVE BEEN at least 25 major earthquakes in Kansas since Kansans started recording them in the late 1800s. Steenens said.
However, he said, most Kansas earthquakes are mild and many are detected only by sensitive instruments.
SOON TO BE WORLD FAMOUS!!
$ 5^{\mathrm{th}} $ ANNUAL FIRST LADY'S CUP
KU vs
K STATE
A RUGBY
SPECTACULAR
oct 25-23 & iowa-1:
SPAGHETTI SUNDAE
Specially prepared vanilla ice cream, frozen strawberries and coconut
oct 25-23 & iowa-1:30
$1 EACH
CANNELONI SUNDAE
Mint chocolate chip ice cream in a crepe topped with homemade hot fudge
Advertise in the Kansan. Call 864-4358.
Tie In WithUs Recreation Services
intramural Volleyball
Format: Play is available for men and women in three leagues provided there are enough entrants: Trophy.Rec.A & Rec.B
Managers Meeting: Tonight at 7 in 202 Robinson
Entry Forms: Available in the Recreation Services office,
Entry Fee: Trophy League $10 Rec. A & B $5
208 Robinson, 864-3546
Play Begins: Sunday, Oct. 25
98
Make an appointment to give blood.
Challenges all living groups (Residence Halls, Greek Houses, etc.)
TO TRY TO BEAT THE BEST!
We say more of us will give blood during the KU blood drive than any other living group.
Blood-Your Life Could Depend On It.
Sponsored by Templin Hall "Damn We're Good"
Our Fellow Arab Students
Welcome to the new academic year at the University of Kansas. We apologize for taking so long. However we are happy to inform you that a new administrative committee for the Arab Student Organization has been selected and is ready to serve us.
The committee is as follows:
Mohammed T. Mohammed
Mustafa Den Den
Abdul Rahman Nasr
Vice President General Secretary Social Coordinator Adm. Coordinator
Ahmed Seif
President Vice President
Tariq Al-Badri Treasurer & Adm. Coordinator
Finally we want to thank last year's members and all of whom contributed. We will be in touch with you soon. Thank you all A.S.O.
Appearing as the
Opening Act
Doc Severinsen
on Friday, Oct. 23 8 p.m.
"SCARE"
Farewell
Kim
booked by A.M.E. at 842-0200
Whitenight's
celebrates OCTOBERFEST
Thursday, Oct. 22nd through Saturday, Oct. 31st
The year's harvest is in and we celebrate with great prices on this seasons hottest items and with some fun gifts for you for shopping with us . . .
GREAT PRICES
- Cross Creek knit shirts
- London Fog unlined trench coats
- London Fog windbreakers
- Woolrich down vests
- Woolrich down jackets
- Leather & woolen outer coats
- Woolrich outer shirts
FREE GIFTS
20% to 50% OFF
- With any purchase of $25.00 or more . . . a FREE BRATWURST sandwich from the Mass. St. Deli.
- With any purchase of $50.00 or more a FREE package of six selected IMPORT BEERS.
SPECIAL: Corduroy Blazers designed by Alexander Julian . . $99.99
THE
hitenight's
Town Shop
downtown Lawrence