Letter to the Editor

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Sir: Your exquisite publication did not do its homework. I refer to Eugene Robin's article, "The Evolutionary Advantages of Being Stupid" [16, 369]. Based on the ability of a dozen aquatic animals to survive under water (not tojust survive), we are told there is an advantage in having less intelligence. Then we have some speculations about man and hydrogen bombs, implying that man is really not so bright after all. Desmond Morris and other such fiction writers of science take crowded mice and extrapolate them to defensive Israelis or evolve human breasts out of man's dirty sexual habits. These "Just-So Stories" titillate the reading but nonscientific mind and are best left to social scientists at 1:00 a.m. over a barrel ofbeer . . .not to your pages. Dana Raphael, Ph.D. WHY? The many parts the body has, Are purposely designed To have a useful service, Which is steadily refined The eyes to see, the ears to hear, And so on down the list, And we'll include the ruby lips, Which surely should be kissed. I've understood, in part at least, A host of things, and yet I've never figured out the why Of axillary sweat. Carl A. Dragstedt Perspectives in Biology and Medicine · Spring 1974 I 435 NICOTIANA Using tobacco I think you'll agree Carries a risk both for you and for me. But one must weigh risks in order to choose What is to gain and what is to lose. Take cancer, for instance, you'll certainly find Causal relations of several kinds. Numerous studies on cigarette smoking Show that lung tumours it has been provoking. When dogs are taught to enjoy cigarettes Bronchial lesions they often will get. Others paint condensates on tails of mice Looking for clues of what's bad and what's nice. Then there is data on those who inhale Strong correlations you'll find rarely fail. Cigars seem less toxic and pipes also do But there is a risk when tobacco you chew. It's not in the lungs where the chewers get cancers The oral mucosa now holds the answers. Even these patterns show wide fluctuations Frequencies vary among different nations. Snuff used in Georgia produces more lesions Than what's chewed in Denmark; we don't know the reasons. The Indian suffers more than the Afghan The latter chews nass, the former likes pan. Both have tobacco and usually lime They're kept in the mouth for considerable time. It's not only cancer that smokers do get Lesions of vessels and lungs wait them yet. Sometimes it's arteries that run to their toes Called Buerger's Disease as everyone knows. 436 J Verse Lung emphysema, fibrosis beneath Chronic bronchitis, discolored teeth. Quite an assortment of lesions to pick But there is no choosing of what makes you sick. Now, remember the data just found in Japan Ex-smokers risk dying and by their own hand. Among other features of ex-smoker's state Problems of sleeping and accidents great. A simple solution unlikely to find Consider the body but forget not the mind. Yes, tobacco holds risks and problems that vex So do other pleasures like football and sex. L. H. Sobin MEMORIALS* Folks demonstrate their sentiments In many different ways, They have a portrait painted, Or celebrate some days; They get the proper powers To name an avenue, Or maybe get a sculptor To carve a big statue; They give a school a name-fund To perpetuate the name, Or mayhap have a postage stamp Proclaim his right to fame. But if their frame of sentiment Is neither kind nor sweet, The chances are they'll dedicate A fancy toilet seat. Carl A. Dragstedt ?Inspired by an advertisement by the Sanitary Specialty Manufacturing Company for "The Seat" with the insignia and colors of your alma mater. Perspectives in Biology and Medicine · Spring 1974 | 437 ...