UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, October 30,1996
5A
Manuever can save victims from choking on their vomit
Extra care can save passed-out drinkers
By Ashleigh Roberts Kansan staff writer
Every KU student can be the friend that Jimi Hendrix never had by learning a simple safety maneuver.
The maneuver, a three-step safety procedure, can prevent passed-out people from choking on their vomit. It was invented by the Boosting Alcohol Consciousness Concerning the Health of University Students organization.
Julie Francis, health educator at Watkins Memorial Health Center and campus BACCHUS sponsor, said many students have had to babysit friends who had passed out from alcohol. Many times students didn't realize the situation could have become a medical emergency, she said.
"Usually people laugh at their friends, and they'll paint their toenails or cut their hair," she said. "They think they'll sleep it off and be fine in the morning."
But Charles Yockey, chief of staff at Watkins, said that wasn't always the case.
"We see students with alcohol poisoning about once every two
Andy Rohrback/KANSAN
Yockey said people choked on their vomit when the body lost the gag reflex.
"When someone chokes on something, their vocal chords spasm to
knock the substance out," he said.
"But without the reflex, the vomit goes right into your lungs and you drown in it."
Yockey said students needed to know the difference between a couple of drinks too many and a serious condition that required medical attention.
"When someone is totally passed out and doesn't respond at all, they're in real trouble," he said. "If you shake them and nothing happens, that's a true medical emergency."
Gin Dunaway, co-coordinator of BACCHUS, said she was not aware of the dangers until she became involved with the student organization.
"People don't realize that it could kill them," she said.
Francis said Dunaway's initial reaction was normal.
"We are conditioned to laugh it off because it is seen so frequently," she said.
But Francis said it was important to place the passed-out drunks on their side and to take each incident seriously.
"Don't just lay them on their side and go back and party," she said. "People resent that role because it is babysitting, but that is how we are saving our friends."
Professor's theory takes bite out of vampire, werewolf myth
WICHITA — Trick-or-treaters who come across a vampire or a werewolf this Halloween might want to put down their garlic and call a doctor.
Some scientists believe that the legends surrounding the two types of monsters began as crude explanations for what doctors now believe was probably a rare blood disease, said Kent Thomas, a visiting biology instructor at Wichita State University. He has a doctorate in biochemistry.
Although his work is not complete, he has found that werewolves were usually peasants, and vampires were members of the noble class.
One explanation for that may be that sunlight can cause extreme pain, blistering—and the growth of excessive body hair for porphyria sufferers. Nobles were able to avoid the sun and became pale, castle recluses, while members of the peasant class had to work in the fields, where they risked growing hair like a werewolf, Thomas said.
Porphyria, often called the "vampire disease", causes an aversion to garlic, extreme photosensitivity and a craving for blood.
cultures around the world, which could indicate that the disease does not favor a certain race, sex or culture.
People with porphyria cannot properly manufacture hemoglobin, which distributes oxygen throughout the body and removes carbon dioxide. The body tries to break down the faulty hemoglobin, depositing the resulting toxin in the skin, gums and teeth. The result is receding gums, which can give victims fang like teeth.
Thomas has found similar werewolf- and vampire-like legends from
Jeanne Youngson, president and founder of the Count Dracula Fan Club and the club's museum in New York, has heard the porphyria theory. It has been dismissed by many people for fear that porphyria sufferers would be ostracized as monsters, she said.
For 10 years, through research at libraries and the Internet as a sort of personal hobby, Thomas has studied legends surrounding werewolf and vampire-like creatures in different cultures.
Porphyria might explain a tiny part of the overall picture, but there's more to the legend of vampires than that, she said. She receives letters from hundreds of people who choose to live the vampire lifestyle.
Contest offers trip for clever reuse idea
The Associated Press
"Something about the idea of vampires is exciting to people," she said
By Cameron Heeg Kansas staff writer
Nickels and dimes can be the payoff for recycling aluminum cans and glass bottles, but don't forget about plastic: France could be the payoff.
Today, those with porphyria can lead normal lives with medication. The disease, caused when a child inherits recessive genes from both parents, affects one out of 100,000 people, Thomas said.
The American Plastics Council is sponsoring the National Plastics Reuse It Contest, and the grand prize is a trip to France.
The contest that began on Sept. 25 and runs through Feb. 14 calls for consumers to send a list of 10 different ways to reuse a single plastic packaging item. Entries will be judged on originality and practicality.
In March, five regional winners will receive $500, and the grand-prize contestant wins a trip to France for two days in Paris and three days in a countryside-renovated castle.
"We want people to realize that there are other uses for plastic instead of throwing the packaging away," said Diana Rosenberg, information specialist at the Plastics Council in Washington, D.C. "There still is a lack of technology in plastic recycling, being that it officially started just seven years ago. People so far have been coming up with some great ideas for reuse."
The Plastic Council realized just how many people were interested in reuse when results from a study done three months ago showed 87 percent of Americans had reused a plastic product in the past six months.
It is important that everybody tries to make a effort to reuse plastics as much as possible, said Natalie Sullivan. KU Environs member.
"Even though plastics only account for five percent of total landfill space, they don't biodegrade and will be around for thousands of years," said Sullivan, Lawrence
REUSE IDEAS
Reuse ideas for plastics:
Plastic shopping bags can be used as portable showers on camping trips by filling them with water and poking holes in the bot tom.
Bags can be used as cat litter-box liners.
Cleaned deodorant roll-on bottles can be filled with paint for a unique paint brush.
Plastic straws can be reused as stakes for small house plants.
junior. "Reuse is even better than recycling because plastic usually can only be recycled once before it becomes too low-grade to form anything."
Soda bottles can be decorated for use as a wav or a bird feeder.
for use as a vase or a bird teeder
Six-pack rings can be used to
keep rolled-up posters in order
during moving or storing.
Rosenberg agreed with Sullivan about reuse, noting that most recycling stations don't take the seven different categories of plastics.
Major grocery stores, Wal-Mart, SuperTarget and private services from Conservation Services or Eco Services will take various plastic products for recycling.
Cleaned, old shower curtains can be used to cover and protect outdoor flowers and plants from frost.
Consumers wanting to take the reuse course of action can enter the National Plastics Reuse It Contest by calling 1-800-777-9500 for an entry form, or by visiting the American Plastics Council web site at www2.plasticsresource.com
plan.
Hearing on bookstore scheduled for Nov.12
Mayor John Nalbandian said that public comment was unnecessary at last night's meeting because the current plans for the bookstore might change before the Nov. 12 hearing.
Joe Herrington, Lawrence resident, said he had heard a rumor that a new plan might include keeping the facade of the building and tearing down the rest of the structure.
"This would be unacceptable," he said. "The historical significance is in the four walls of that building."
The commission voted unanimously to conduct a public hearing at 6:35 p.m., Nov. 12 in City Hall that will include public comment and will determine whether there are feasible alternatives to the proposed
The Lawrence Historic Resources Commission and the Kansas Historical Society have ruled that the proposed plan was unacceptable because it would damage the environs of the historic Eldridge Hotel, 701 Massachusetts St.
The Border's debate continues.
Many Lawrence residents have opposed the bookstore,proposed by Winter Inc.,because its construction would involve demolishing a building that some say has historical significance.
Kansan staff report
Trick-or-Treat So-Others-Can-Eat Food Drive Sponsored by The Pre-Occupational Therapy Club October 31 from 6:30 to 7:30pm Anyone who would like to help trick-or-treat call Stephanie at 838-9899. STUDENT SENATE
Discussions about a proposed Border's bookstore at Seventh and New Hampshire streets were prolonged for two more weeks at the Lawrence City Commission meeting last night.
DON'S AUTO CENTER
"For All Your Repair Needs"
*Complete Auto Repair
*Machine Shop Service
*Parts Department
841-4833
920 E. 11th Street
FRANKFURT $235
PARIS $239
MADRID $265
ROME $299
BELIZE $232
TAIPEI $348
Council Travel
FARES ARE EACH WAY FROM KAHANS CITY BASED ON A ROUNDTRIP PURCHASE AND are STUDENT FARES. FARES DO NOT INCLUDE Federal TAXES ON THE FOUNDRY BETWEEN ENTRIES FOR THE BUILDING OR FOR FOREIGN GOBBLEMENTS. FARES PADDED BY INTRODUCTION TO FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS.
622 WEST 12TH STREET • LAWRENCE, KS 60044
749-3900
http://www.cice.org/travel.htm
National recognition doesn't come to those who wait around.
We're firm believers in doing the job right the first time. That's why we take challenges and turn them into opportunities. It's your turn.
The University Daily Kansan is accept applications for the positions of Business Manager and Editor for the Spring1997 semester.
Applications may be picked up at The Kansan Business Office. 119 Stauffer-Flint. Deadline for Business Manager and Editor application submission is Monday, November 4, at 12:00 p.m.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS SCHOOL OF LAW IS HOSTING A MINORITY LAW DAY SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1996
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM GREEN HALL, ROOM 107
The program will include information on:
*Admission Procedures
*Career Information
*LSAT Information
*A Mock Law School Class
*Financial Aid Information
*Student Life
*Tours of the Law School
For more information, please contact the Law School Admissions Office at (913) 864-4378
Islam in Perspective
The Muslim Students Association has the pleasure to announce that this Semester we are going to have a 3 weeks mini-lecture series on various aspects of Islam and the current issues dealing with Jerusalem. All the pertinent information is given below:
Lecture Topic Speaker Date and Time Place
1 Fundamentals of Islam Br. Hamed Ghazali Wed., 10/30/96 7:30 p.m. International Room at Kansas Union
2 Al Quran, The Holy Book of the Moslems. Dr. J. Lang/ Br. Hamed Ghazali Wed., 11/06/96 7:30 p.m. Oread Room at Kansas Union
3 Muhammad (PBUH), The Messenger of God Br. Hamed Ghazali Wed., 11/13/96 7:30 p.m. Walnut Room at Kansas Union
We hope to see you all there. Please make sure that you come and also bring along your friends, neighbors and roommates. Free refreshments will be served during the lecture. If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact Mohammed Yameen Farooqui @ (913) 864-6190.