I meant this post to be a compilation of a few pleasant links to celebrate Christmas, but then I got a dose of norovirus for the solstice, and if you have ever had norovirus you will understand, but if you haven’t yet: I spent Sunday feeling like complete crap, and the next couple of days recovering.
My best gift to myself was remembering that oral rehydration therapy would both be good to drink and do me good:
- 30 ml sugar : 2.5 ml salt : 1 liter water
- 2 tbl. sugar : 0.5 tsp. salt : 1 quart water
- 6 tsp. sugar : 0.5 tsp. salt : 1 liter water
ORT – simple solution of sugar and salt in water – is reckoned to be one of the biggest medical discoveries of the 20th century, which has probably saved more lives than any other. I wouldn’t have died of 24-hour norovirus: I am a strong healthy well-nourished adult. But people can die of prolonged vomiting/diarrhea due to dehydration and sodium depletion: and ORT both helps replenish fluid and the sugar solution helps the gut absorb the salt it’s losing. Although packets of ORT salts are manufactured under the supervision of WHO / UNICEF, anyone with access to water, sugar, and salt can mix up an ORT solution at home, and if you are even slightly dehydrated, it’s much safer to drink than plain water.
So, having cheered you all up: who’s going to watch The Bishop’s Wife? (BBC iPlayer til 30th December.)
Continue reading
Edinburgh Eye 