Story: Hope

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days and weeks passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it for himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."

Epilogue: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.

15 Insects that could Save Life!

1. Blow Fly Larvae to Treat Wounds and Infectious Bone Disease

When the blow fly lands in an open gash, it does what all flies do – it lays maggots. But these maggots are special; they secrete a curative chemical known as allantoin. Today’s doctors use allantoin (extracted from blow fly maggots) to treat osteomyelitis... kind of gross, but effective.

2. Maggot Therapy
Some doctors, however, don’t even bother extracting the allantoin. Instead, they insert maggots directly into the open cut in a process known as maggot debridement therapy (MDT). As the maggots squirm they eat infection-causing bacteria and dead tissue.

3. Bee Venom Therapy
Pat Wagner gets stung 200 times a week. Intentionally. Even though she may seem like a nutcase, her reasoning is sound; bee venom (which is rich in enzymes, peptides, glucocorticoids and other curative components) has been proven to help with everything from rheumatoid arthritis to Multiple Sclerosis.

4. Ant Venom to Treat Arthritis

Interesting fact #1: ant bites contain traces of venom. Interesting fact #2: ant venom reduces swelling and eases joint pains. “Treatment” used to mean haphazardly stepping on a colony, but modern doctors are harnessing the venom and using it as an alternativetreatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

5. Green Tree Ants used as Medicine by Australia Aborigines
Ironically, green ants make for a mean tea... one that gets rid of headaches and colds, or can be used to clean wounds. And yes, the aborigines really drank concoctions made from the crushed carcasses of these ants. Strangely, the ant brew has about the same gustatory quality as actual green tea.

6. Army Ants Used for Wound Sutures
In the jungles of South America and Africa, some natives use army ants to close open wounds. After the ant bites into the flesh, they rip off the body so the head acts a biological “staple”. And just look at those jowls! Hard to picture them having any use besides biting into living flesh.

7. Cobwebs Used for Wound Dressing
Clean cobwebs have been used as a make-shift bandage since the Middle Ages. Just keep an eye for any poisonous inhabitants before ripping apart their home. There is even talk of using manufactured spider silk for ligament replacement and bone grafting.

8. The Power full Cantharidin from BlisterBeetles

It’s only a myth that frogs give you warts, but it’s a verified fact that certain beetles can get rid of them. The secret ingredient, if you want to call it that, is cantharidin – an oil that forms blisters on the skin. When ingested, cantharides are ridiculously poisonous (as little as 10 mg can kill you) so using it to cure mouth warts (or as an aphrodisiac a la Spanish Fly) is not recommended.

9. Cockroaches Brain Could Be Used As Antibiotics
Cockroach brains contain a powerful antibiotic that can obliterate E.coli and MRSA infections. But you have to eat or drink them. The doctors may have to change the name (rochie pills?) if they expect patients to buy in.

10. Curing Syphilis with Malaria Mosquito Stings

Malaria can kill you, but syphilis kills you worse. At least, that’s the reasoning to giving syphilis patients bits from malarial mosquitoes. The malaria feeds on the syphilis, leaving the patient healthy... if the antimalarial agent kicks in fast enough to keep the patient alive.

11. Cartepillar Fungus - An Ancient Chinese Medicine

Caterpillar fungus gained popularity after National Games winning runners claimed a fungus tonic helped by relieving stress. Chinese doctors also believe it can spike energy levels, cure various diseases and jack up sexual drive. Who knows? Take enough caterpillar fungus pills and you may turn into a sex hungry deviant with the energy of 3 men and the overall health of Greek god.

12. Cochineal Beetle Cough Remedy
Cochineal beetles are one of the ugliest insects on the face of the planet (see above). However, a couple of handfuls of them – when doused in alcohol and drank - make for a great cure to whooping cough, urinary tract infection and asthma.

13. Cicadas Used As Diuretics

Cicadas ate the biblical Egyptians out of house and home. Somewhere along the line, humans got hip and starting eating the cicadas instead... leading to the discovery that they can cure urinary tract infections. All across the land, the people finally rejoiced that it no longer burned when they eliminated fluids.

14. Silk Moth to Treat Heart Disease
Silkworms are good for more than cloud soft dress items; they’re also a source of a curious biochemical known as Serratia E15. For silkworms, Serratia E15 helps them transition from slithering abominations into semi-graceful moths by dissolving their cocoons. For men, it helps prevent heart disease through some undocumented process.

15. Insects as Food Supplements

If you’re not a big fan of Brussels sprouts or broccoli, insects are definitely the way to go. They’re rich in vitamins and nutrients. Plus, until you’ve experience the crunch of a roasted termite (iron) or the squish of silkworm moth larvae (copper, iron, thiamine, zinc, riboflavin) you simply haven’t lived!