Category:
Disease
Disease
Hand Waving and Heart Disease
Back in 1997, Dr. Alan N. Rennie reported in the British Medical Journal a correlation between arm movement and heart disease. People who moved their hands and arms around a lot while talking seemed more prone to heart disease. Rennie offered this possible explanation:The most obvious explanation of these findings is that type A personalities are prone both to gesticulation and to coronary heart disease. It is possible that people with coronary heart disease move their arms more because they are otherwise physically inactive or their disease causes them to become agitated. However, my own suspicion is that arm movements over a lifetime may be a factor–combined with other known factors–in the development of coronary heart disease.
Good to know that my lazy lack of movement actually has a health benefit.
Chicago Tribune - Jan 10, 1997
Posted By: Alex - Sun Dec 03, 2023 -
Comments (1)
Category: Health, Disease
Pin-Worms may be a family affair
"Fidgeting, nose-picking and a tormenting rectal itch are often tell-tale signs of Pin-Worms . . . Entire families may be victims and not know it."I'm imagining the families who thought the tormenting rectal itches were nothing out-of-the-ordinary.
Super Science Stories - March 1950
Posted By: Alex - Thu Sep 28, 2023 -
Comments (0)
Category: Health, Disease, Advertising, 1950s
Social Distance Zapper
I'm assuming this is a gag gift, but nowadays it's hard to tell.I'm adding it to our list of weird social-distancing products (see social-distancing shoes and cooler).
Available from Kikkerland Design Inc.
Watch with wonder as the Social Distance Zapper extends from one foot folded to five feet extended! Keep the anti-maskers at bay with just three LR44 batteries to power this 4.5 v zapper.
Posted By: Alex - Sun Dec 12, 2021 -
Comments (4)
Category: Hygiene, Disease
The Door-Knobs Threaten Them
Another example of the early 20th-century advertising industry trying to terrify customers into buying their product.Although they were right that door-knobs can transmit disease.
Ladies Home Journal - 1926
Posted By: Alex - Sat Dec 05, 2020 -
Comments (0)
Category: Advertising, 1920s, Disease
Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, “High Blood Pressure”
Medical intervention is definitely required for this singer and his gyno-pathic disease.
Posted By: Paul - Mon May 04, 2020 -
Comments (0)
Category: Music, 1960s, Disease
Medicated Under Vest
Not only a medical miracle but a fashion statement as well."has proven itself to be the very Perfection of Prevention from Pneumonia…. keeping the skin in a most delicious and healthy glow and the internal organs in that healthy and vigorous condition which is the Only Safeguard Against Disease."
Posted By: Alex - Fri May 01, 2020 -
Comments (6)
Category: Fashion, Underwear, Health, Disease, Nineteenth Century
Personal Bubble
If you’re worried that a face mask isn’t enough to protect you from the coronavirus when you’re out and about, consider getting a personal bubble.The one below was created by Chinese architect Sun Dayong. It's made out of carbon fiber and worn like a backpack. The website dezeen.com explains:
Wires embedded in the plastic would heat up to a temperature high enough to kill any pathogens on them, creating a sterile environment inside for the wearer.
Currently this is still in the concept phase. So you can't buy one yet.
Posted By: Alex - Tue Mar 10, 2020 -
Comments (4)
Category: Disease
How to Catch a Cold
Disney and Kleenex: a match made in...Madison Avenue?Plus: excess square-dancing opens you up to germs.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Mar 26, 2019 -
Comments (0)
Category: Body, Business, Advertising, Health, Disease, PSA’s, 1950s
Pre-Infected Tissues
The company Vaev claims to be selling tissues that have already been sneezed into. For about $80 it seems that you get a box containing one infected tissue. The idea apparently is that you can infect yourself with a cold, and this will somehow strengthen your immune system, thereby protecting you from further colds or the flu. Although the company's website is very vague on details, offering only this:We believe that when flu season comes around, you should be able to get sick on your terms. We’re not about chemicals or prescription drugs here at Væv. We believe using a tissue that carries a human sneeze is safer than needles or pills. This isn’t like any tissue you’ve used before, but we love using them, and you will too.
The idea is so odd that I wonder if it isn't some kind of hoax. Note that it isn't actually possible to buy these things because the company's online store claims to be sold out.
More details at Yahoo News!.
Posted By: Alex - Thu Jan 24, 2019 -
Comments (4)
Category: Health, Disease, Overpriced Merchandise, Cures for the common cold
Eye worm art
Artist Ben Taylor drew a painting that featured “psychedelic colors and wormlike patterns inside a perfectly round circle.” Only later did he realize that he had parasitic worms in his eye, and he thinks they might have subconsciously inspired him. From The Durango Herald:"I definitely believe that the worms had a hand in that painting,” he said, adding later: “When you kind of look into the nitty-gritty of how much of the human body actually contains your DNA versus the billions of different bacteria that live within us, you start realizing that you’re an ecology of beings that live within us.
He later adapted his painting to make it more obviously an eye infected by parasitic worms, and as a result it’s been chosen as the cover art for this month’s issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Posted By: Alex - Mon Aug 13, 2018 -
Comments (2)
Category: Art, Health, Disease, Eyes and Vision
| Who We Are |
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| Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Contact Us |