WMN Editors

Plants that Bite and Sting

/in , , , , , /by

It is estimated that there are around 375,000 species of plants on our planet, of which 297,366 have been identified and named. There are about 260,000 flowering plants, (they have flowers and reproduce by pollination and seeds), and 15,000 bryophytes (they reproduce by spore production – liverworts, hornworts, and mosses).

Without plants life as we know it would not exist. This is because, through the process of photosynthesis, plants have the remarkable ability to combine carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O), using photons of energy from the sun, to form glucose. Glucose is how plants store energy. Animals consume the plants, extract and digest the stored sugars, carbohydrates, and starches, and use the stored energy to survive. These simple sugars, glucose and fructose, are the fuel that the engine of life utilizes to sustain and maintain itself.

ISSN-1059-6518

Read more

WMN Editors

ANIMAL BITES AND THE RISK OF RABIES

/in , , /by

March/April 2011  ISSN-1059-6518  Volume 24 Number 2

By Frank Hubbell, DO

Animal Bites and the Risk of Rabies

You are leading an ecotourism trip in rural Central America. As your group is walking down a narrow dirt road leading to a mountain village, a dog comes out of a local farmhouse with his tale wagging, appearing quite friendly. Your co-leader leans over to greet the dog and is promptly bitten in the face. She has several puncture wounds on the left side of her face, which are relatively minor, and the bleeding it easily controlled. The question becomes: what are the risks of rabies and should you be concerned? The answer is a definite, YES!

Read more

WMN Editors

Porcupine Quills

/in , /by


March/April 2011  ISSN-1059-6518  Volume 24 Number 2

The Tale of the Porcupine Quills

By Frank Hubbell, DO

You decided to agree to co-lead an overnight hike into the mountains with the youth pastor and youth group from your church. It is a beautiful summer weekend. The weather forecast looks perfect; they are a great group of kids; these trips are known for good food and fun; so, you have no reason to doubt that this will be an enjoyable event.

 

It takes about four hours to hike into the shelters. The walk in was uneventful, and, once there, the kids quickly go to work setting up camp and helping to prepare the evening meal.

 

All is well, until there is a sudden burst of activity as one of the kids realizes there is an animal under one of the shelter platforms. In all their excitement to get a better look, everyone gathers around when suddenly the beast from beneath decides it had better make a run for it. Out from under the platform emerges one very large and startled porcupine that is determined to get away. In the process one of the kids manages to get swiped by the porcupine, and your extremely well-behaved dog decides to defend the camp and bats the porcupine with his paw. Fido is now in pain and mad at the porcupine. He decides to bite it. Wrong decision, Fido.

Read more

WMN Editors

Bedbugs

/in , , /by
November/December 2010  ISSN-1059-6518  Volume 23 Number 6

By Frank Hubbell, DO

Illustrations by T.B.R. Walsh

Bedbugs:

For the past 5 issues of the WMNL, we have discussed human ectoparasites. In this issue we will complete the topic with a discussion about bedbugs.

Read more