The 1918 Influenza Pandemic Essay example -- Health Medicine Diseases

The 1918 Influenza Pandemic The United States entered the War in 1918 and brought influenza to America that medical historian Roy Porter has called â€Å"the greatest single demographic shock mankind has ever experienced, the most deadly pestilence since the Black Death.†[1] In the late nineteen thirties, members of the Federal Writer’s Project (FWP) with the Works Progress Administration (WPA), interviewed people who remembered surviving the pandemic. [2] They described a world caught off guard. Newly established â€Å"base camps† became makeshift hospitals and morgues. Doctors, embalmers, laundresses and florists did a brisk trade. Public venues closed, and as entire families became ill, mothers, husbands and soldiers remember coping with quarantines and loss of family. Sufferers put great stock in their ability to treat themselves as doctors and other health officials struggled with ineffective prevention and treatment strategies. For them, the flu of 1918 marked a major life change but it also became a testament to their ability to survive. The flu came fast and it hit hard. Dr. Curtis Atkinson, then a First Lieutenant in the Medical Corps at Fort Riley, Kansas remembered the first military quarantines. â€Å"When the 'flu' epidemic struck Call Field, Sunday, December, 1918, the boys began to come down very rapidly. A foot ball game was in progress. The commanding officer immediately ordered the game stopped and sentinels posted at the gate of the field with orders that no one was to be admitted.†[3] Another soldier, Dr. William W. Wood remembered soldiers and civilians â€Å"dying like sheep.†[4] Melinda Parker remembers how fast she lost her husband. â€Å"My husband†¦ was workin' at the shipyards in Algiers an' he got the flu an' in four day... ...arolina Writer’s Project. [14] â€Å"J. D. Washburn,† Interview by Douglas Carter. [15] â€Å"History of Career (import) of J. H. Kimbrough,† Interview by Marie Reese. [16] â€Å"Mountain Sharecroppers,† Interview by Anne Winn Stevens. [17] Porter, Roy. 484 [18] â€Å"Dr. William W. Wood,† Interview by Miss Effie Cowan. [19] â€Å"Reminiscences centered around Call Field,† Interview by Ethel Dulaney. [20] â€Å"Dr. Wood†, Cowan [21] â€Å" Coal Fields to the Cotton Mill,† Interview by South Carolina Writer’s Project. [22] â€Å"J. D. Washburn,† Interview by Douglas Carter. [23] â€Å"The Influenza Epidemic,† Interview by Jane K. Leary. [24] â€Å"Note French Canadian Personalities,† Interview by Robert Grady. [25] â€Å"The Influenza Epidemic,† Interview by Jane K. Leary. [26] â€Å"Glenn Kanipe.† Interview with Ethel Deal. [27] â€Å"Melinda Parker,† Interview by Louisiana Folklore

Kazakhstan’s 20 Years of Independence

Kazakhstan’s 20 Years of Independence When Kazakhstan became independent after the collapse of Soviet Union in December 1991, many experts had predicted the collapse of the Central Asian nation under the burden of economic and social problems. But 20 years since then, the country of over 16 million people has become the largest economy in the Central Asian region due to its enormous oil, gas and uranium reserves and bold market economic reforms and political stability in the nation of 130 ethnic groups.According to official figures, Kazakhstan's GDP per capita grew from $700 in 1994 to more than $9,000 last year. In fact the growth was five years ahead of the schedule, and faster than in any other country in the first 20 years of its independence. Kazakhstan held year-long celebrations across the nation to celebrate its success and look towards what needs to be done to maintain the growth curve. The rapid economic and industrial growth of the oil and energy rich nation is attr ibuted to Kazakhstan's concerted efforts to create a stable, investor-friendly environment.Despite the 2008 economic downturn, Kazakhstan retained and attracted a remarkable inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI). Last year, the nation scored among the the top 10 nations attracting FDI in the entire world. According to official figures, the country has attracted $132 billion in FDI in the last 20 years. Officials attribute the reasons to the economic growth to the political stability in the country and some of the bold decisions by President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Nazarbayev moved the capital from Almaty to Astana in December 1997 which has proven to be a critical moment.The new capital has come up as a dynamic centre of a rapidly growing nation and a modern 21st century city of some 750,000 people. The model of inter-ethnic relations that has preserved peace and harmony in the ethnically and religiously diverse society of Kazakhstan is another cause for the countries strong growt h. On the political front, Kazakhstan is now moving towards multi-party democracy with the parliament elections to be conducted in January next year. Kazakhstan was the chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2010 and hosted the OSCE summit at Astana in December.An Astana Commemorative Declaration was signed, renewing commitment to a better cooperation within the organization of 56 participating states from North America, Europe and Eurasia. In 2011, Kazakhstan also chaired the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, seeking to strengthen it as a critical instrument of promoting multi-faceted cooperation among its six members. And in June, Kazakhstan assumed the one-year presidency in the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation seeking to promote peace, cooperation and development.

Nixon’s Policies Versus the Strategies of Cold War

It is at the peak of The Cold War that Richard Nixon assumed his position. He felt the need to change the country’s foreign policy because it is at this time that thousands of American troops were sent to Vietnam. Then, there was a strong urge to win The Cold War over and stop communism at any cost, Nixon rather wants to divert it to another way that points to a productive initiative that basically highlights cooperation. Nixon believed that the only key to a more stable world is a stronger America. He then emphasized the bigger importance of partnership to win back not the war but peace between countries. Nixon even stated to provide shield to those countries in alliance to them in case of nuclear threats. He even said that the United States would also keep its commitments to other nations, as well as manpower to those who needs defense. His strategy turned out to be more civil and diplomatic than that of the heated cold war policies. He engaged more on changing the approach so as to better see the problem and make it into something more favorable to everyone (Nixon's Foreign Policy: A Global Balance Of Power ). Reference Nixon's Foreign Policy: A Global Balance Of Power . (n.d.). Retrieved october tuesday, 2007, from free essays: http://www.freeessays.cc/db/38/pbk80.shtml   

jfk assassination essays

jfk assassination essays Since November 22, 1963, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy has aroused a number of questions concerning the person or persons behind the vile murder. Arguably the most controversial murder associated with politics in the 20th century, the number of unproven theories regarding John F. Kennedys death is remarkable. Theories including how many shooters were involved and how many shots were actually fired on the frightful day of the assassination are nothing more than factual hypothesis. Countless numbers of people have added their thoughts on each of the theories: none of which are one hundred percent certain. In hopes of finding answers, this research paper will gather as much authentic information on each theory in question as possible. At 1:30 P.M. on November 22, 1963, all of the theory-related questions emanated. In relation to the Zapruder film, certain assumptions could be made about how many shots were actually fired from Lee Harvey Oswalds 6.5 millimeter Mannlicher-Carano. One could also argue that there was not enough time in between shots that struck Governor Connally and John F. Kennedy. In such a case, there must have been a second gunman. Supporting the lone gunman theory, the Warren Commission (hand-picked by Lyndon B. Johnson one week after the assassination of John F. Kennedy) came to the conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the murder. The Commission also added that they found no evidence that led Lee Harvey Oswald to any conspiracy, foreign Other discussed theories such as the single bullet theory are yet to be determined by experts. Whether or not one bullet hit both Governor Connally and President John F. Kennedy is still being debated. Certain inquisitors state that more than one shot was fired: others, a so-called magic bullet. The House Select Committee on Assassinations concluded that a shot was fired from the legendary grass...

All [Woman and] Men Are Created Equal essays

All [Woman and] Men Are Created Equal essays It is disturbing to see that in society today I see as many unjust women as men. Most women have declared that women and men should have equal rights and I, as a woman, have to agree. However, many women today are abusing their rights for their benefit. What happened to equal rights? We may have equality in rights but we are not created equal, yet in some situations, e.g., in the workplace, many women lash out their anger and blame men. We are put on earth to do different things. We are built differently and we think differently. Naturally, women and men will have disagreements now and then. However, women must recognize that misusing their rights to take revenge for what men did in the past will not solve anything. Many women still believe that most men today view women as inferior, but when the fight for equality becomes distorted, women can be as sexist, prejudice and biased as men. Many men have subtly degraded women for many years. Its either that many women do not notice it or choose to look the other way. In the essay, Invisible Women, Yun Yung Choi explains how one man, Confucius, changed the lives of women for the worse in Korea. Choi states, Throughout the first half of Koryo period, which lasted from 918 to 1392, and throughout the Yi dynasty, women were important and contributing members of their society and not marginal and dependent as they later became. Women were, in large extent, in command of their own lives. She also states, With the introduction of Confucianism, however, the rights and privileges that women enjoyed were confiscated (187). In her essay, Choi quotes from Confucian proverbs such as Men are honored, but women are abased and A daughter is a robber women who carries household wealth away when she marries (187). Still today, many men have the same thoughts that Confucius had. I have worked with battered and ab...

How Learning Strategies Have Changed and May Continue to Change in Essay - 1

How Learning Strategies Have Changed and May Continue to Change in Relation to the Application of Information Technology (IT) in Schools - Essay Example This report stresses that information technology continues to change to achieve the objective of simplicity. These changes are brought about by the need to change leadership in learning institutions as it relates to strategic planning and the role of information technology. This paper makes a conclusion that application of information technology in schools has changed the teaching and learning strategies of students and teachers. Traditional learning strategies such as classroom instructions were dropped and use of communication technologies to transfer information has been adapted in most schools. Changes in information technology have also made it possible to learn through e-learning. Communication between instructors and students has been made possible through use of information technology devices such as computer-aided instructions. Digital libraries also make it possible for students who school through e-learning to access large volumes of information. Information technology continues to change so that it can become simpler. Complexities in technology make use difficult for a number of individuals. Simplicity will ensure technology will be accepted into more learning institutions. Application of information technology can therefore raise personaliz ation of learning strategies and still ensure labor costs are kept at a minimal. This will have positive impacts as it will motivate students and improve the education system.

Chewing tobacco Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Chewing tobacco - Research Paper Example & Johnson, C, 2000, p.2). Moreover, the statistics of the tobacco users and its addiction shows that the problem is of large scale and of serious nature. According to a report of the Surgeon General (1989), the negative health consequences of addiction to tobacco through smoking and oral use has been revealed through number of medical and scientific researches (Johnson, D. & Johnson, C, 2000, p.2). The sad news is that the number of people who use tobacco but are not even prepared to quit it is more than 50 million in the US alone (Johnson, D. & Johnson, C, 2000, p.2). This shows that either people are not aware of the hazardous consequences of tobacco dependence or they are so addicted to it that they are not able to quit it. Hence, the only way to tackle the problem of tobacco dependence successfully is to prevent it at any cost, and not to fall in the trap of the ‘safety’ of chewing tobacco and the ‘charm’ of smoking tobacco. Smokeless Tobacco Smokeless t obacco is the tobacco that people chew, take orally or inhale, instead of consuming (i.e. smoking) it through cigarettes, as is usually done (Ghodse, 2010, p. 121). ‘Smokeless tobacco’, the tobacco that is consumed by chewing, is the term used generally in Southeast Asia as the oral use of tobacco is more common in Southeast Asian countries (Ghodse, 2010, p. 121). In Asian countries, chewing tobacco is common practice not only in men but also in women (Ghodse, 2010, p. 121). By adding flavors and nuts, the tobacco is made easy to consume on daily basis (Ghodse, 2010, p. 121). People in Asia have a peculiar way of chewing tobacco. To enhance the taste of tobacco and to make it linger in mouth for a long time, the nicotine is permitted to be absorbed slowly through oral cavity by placing the ‘moist’ ground tobacco between the gums and the cheek (Ghodse, 2010, p. 121).However, as this method also makes the user to spit frequently, it is not a popular method of consuming tobacco (Ghodse, 2010, p. 121). The method of nasal inhalation or dry snuff, which can be taken orally, is the method which is used by most people to consume smokeless tobacco (Ghodse, 2010, p. 121). It is assumed that as chewing tobacco does not involve inhaling or exhaling smoke, it is not harmful to health. However, it has been found that chewing tobacco causes more harmful health problems than smoking tobacco. Dangers of Chewing Tobacco The tobacco industry has always tried to minimize health worries related to tobacco use by introducing new ‘safe’ brands to the public through manipulative advertisements and campaigns (Johnson, D. & Johnson, C, 2000, p. 3). The tobacco advertising campaigns in 1970’s and 1980’s made people believe that they can reduce the health risks related to tobacco use by adopting the ‘safe’ way to use tobacco, i.e. chewing or tasting it, rather than smoking it through cigarette, cigars or pipes (Johnson, D . & Johnson, C, 2000, p.3). However, it has been found that chewing tobacco is, in fact, more harmful than smoking tobacco. Through the sensitive linings of mouth and tongue, the nicotine enters the bloodstream of the user who chews tobacco (Johnson, D. & Jo