Nukes
You Will Survive Doomsday
By Bruce Beach
Table of Contents
MYTHS
MYTH #07: Radiation sickness is not contagious so there is no danger
in assisting those affected.
The statement that radiation sickness is not contagious is often
found in the literature. That is true. The erroneous conclusion is
drawn, however, that being around persons with radiation sickness is not
dangerous. The danger arises from the manner in which radiation kills.
Sufficient radiation can cook the vital organs, but more often what
happens is that it kills the white corpuscles and the ability of the
bone marrow to make more of them. It is the white corpuscles that are
the body's defenders against viruses, bacteria, and other disease
causing bodies.
Once these defenders are lost the person succumbs to a disease they
might have otherwise warded off, and once that disease takes hold in the
individual they may become highly contagious.
In this manner there is grave danger of plagues breaking out, and all
sorts of illnesses one does not generally see, becoming very threatening.
For this reason rigorous quarantine, sanitary measures, and health defense
measures must be imposed and enforced.
Becoming aware of such unexpected and unpleasant snares may initially
make one feel that the situation is hopeless. The danger really arises
from a person's unfamiliarity with the circumstances. There is the
story of the explorer who asked the young native if there were
crocodiles in a certain stream. He was assured there were not. While
then swimming in the stream he once again saw the young lad on the bank
and asked for reassurance that there were no crocodiles. "Oh no sir!",
replied the shocked young fellow, "They won't come here.
They are all afraid of the piranha."
The young fellow would have found himself equally in danger from
things with which he was not familiar in our society, like automobiles
and electrical appliances. It is not that the hazards are so onerous,
but simply that we are not familiar with them.
FOOD - Some Important Considerations
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