[Upd-discuss] hi

[Adam Moran]

it's quite now, well at least here
i understand there's been all sorts of curious folk checking on you
have been busy or had have been here myself,
and i wanted to get you something ...
and i'm here now
but i'm aware that things are imminent

so i thought - well what ever i thought
let me tell you what i did last week:

i took my youngest to a specialist ... it's nothing and it's something 
... eczema ... he's had it since his first winter ... he picked up 
chicken pox at 9 months and since that time he's suffered from eczema 
... dunno if the two are related ... it's in his notes

we didn't need to wait long before we were seen ... a lady dr saw us 
first; took further notes and examined my lad ... she had a nice 
friendly voice, similar to Edith, from the 'Colin and Edith' show ... 
funny how we have radio 'shows' ... i answered her questions as she 
examined him

"you seem to be very clear ?"

    "yes, isn't he though ?
     but we restrict his diet loads."

"no thickening of the skin
  do you use hydrocortizone ?"

    "maybe a small tube every 18 months ...

     we use aqueous cream mainly ...
     loads ...

     and emulsion

     but we dun't let 'im have stuff like oranges ...
     tomatoes ...
     or any thing with vitamin c in it ...

     and eggs ...
     or anything with eggs in it"

"he seems healthy ?
  children can grow out of these things ...

  we have some kids here in wet-wraps"

    "i know ...

     but i wanna know what sparks it off

     you test for allergies don't chu ?"

"we do
  but there are environmental factors
  for which we can't test

  but if you could wait here
  i'll ask the chief consultant"

we waited for may be 5 minutes,
my lad faffing about with a large role of paper
used to cover the examination couch
me telling him to be careful
not to upset the elephant whose toilet paper it was ...

then the two drs returned and the chief said

"we can do some tests if you like ...
  but i'd advise against it ...

  you see,
  i can think of 20 or so environmental factors that may be responsible
  and the test at best will tell us no more
  than you've found out yourself by trial and error"

     "when would you recommend these tests ?" i asked

"hardly ever these days
  but we can do them if you wish"

     "i don't wish dr, if you don't wish
      but i wish to increase his diet
      without sparking off his eczema"

"take things slowly ...

  there's no nut allergy is there ?"

  - the chief addressing his second in command rather than me

"eggs ...

  let him have some yorkshire pudding ...

  or a pancake ...

  something cooked in a hot oven ...

  then wait and see ...

  if he's clear then fine,
  if not stop and ask his G.P. to put it in his notes

  how is he with avocados and mangoes ... ok ?

  good, good, then try him with citrus slowly

  if he's clear
  then fine,
  if not stop
  and ask his G.P. to put it in his notes

  can you do that ?"

       "yes, a controlled experiment"

"yes, quite so" -- the chief got up and made to leave

       "dr ...

        these environmental factors ...
        do you study them ?"

the chief grinned

"yes

  i've studied them for 20 years and associated theories, and ..."


       "... and ..."

"and ...
  are you familiar with google ?"

       "yes
        it is a good tool"

"then that's where you'll find the answer my boy,
  other than that,
  its a controlled experiment"

it made me laff but at least it's honest

anyway close your eyes i got you something

i know you've been cheesed off recently
with the reports of me drawing castles again ?

i just wanted you to feel secure

and we must remember we do live like royalty
compared to most of the world

it's took some generations but do

you can open them now

here ... do you like ?

a red cross and a pink rose