People's Pharmacy

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Keep Raw Eggs Out Of Child's Milk Shake

Posting Date: 12/13/2004

Q. I have relatives that make milk shakes for my five-year-old granddaughter. They always put a raw egg in the milk shake.

They seem to think the uncooked egg is better for the child. I believe I have read that all eggs should be cooked before eating. Is this true? What is the danger of eating or drinking uncooked eggs?

A. Raw eggs can be contaminated with salmonella. Such bacteria can cause food poisoning that can lead to serious illness. Any food that contains uncooked eggs, such as homemade cookie dough, cake batter or eggnog, can pose a hazard.

Pasteurized egg products can be purchased in the refrigerated dairy case. They would be far safer.

Q. When I was a boy I had a lot of trouble with asthma. When I was 10 I started playing the harmonica. The blow and draw of the music forced me to develop diaphragmatic breathing, as singers do. Without realizing it I conquered my asthma.

I still play chromatic harmonica (virtuoso style). During World War II I carried two harmonicas through combat in Italy. I haven?t had asthma in over 70 years.

A. Deep breathing can have many health benefits, including lowering blood pressure, easing anxiety and helping to control asthma. Although people sometimes grow out of asthma, your harmonica playing may have helped.

Readers who would like to know more about the power of deep breathing for asthma and other conditions may want to listen to our one-hour radio show on this topic. A CD of the show is available for $15 from the People?s Pharmacy (CD-489), P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Q. Recently I heard of a remedy for bed sores or similar wounds. You take 4 parts sugar and 1 part betadine and make a paste. Then you apply it directly to the wound. The nurse who mentioned it swears by it and has used it when conventional remedies have failed. Needless to say I am reluctant to believe this but I do have an open mind when it comes to natural remedies. Any ideas?