In 1953, Dr. Ernst Wynder presented a paper suggesting a connection between cigarette smoking and lung cancer. Apparently, at the time, such an idea was seen as wildly speculative and radically against the collective grain. Well, sometimes time proves such crazy ideas as this one correct. It would appear that this is such a case.
So where are the coins with Dr. Wynder on them?? The stamps?? The bank notes?? Doesn't this country know a national hero when it is handed to them on a silver platter?? Why the heck isn't this guy a household name?? And why wasn't a world class non-smoker such as myself familiar with him until now??
Credit must be given to T.R. Reid, who mentions Dr. Wynder in his extremely important and well written book The Healing of America: a global quest for better, cheaper and fairer health care. The book is a handy, fascinating, easy to read overview of the different kinds of health care systems found throughout the world, which in turn serves as a prescription for fixing the American health care mess. You will find mention of Dr. Wynder, and more about his work, in the chapter on preventative medicine and public health ("An Apple a Day").
Come to think of it, T.R. Reid is also an American hero for writing this book. By bringing this information to our attention, he is doing the U.S. a huge service. So where are the postage stamps?? The coins?? The bank notes?? The grade school essays?? I will add both names, Wynder and Reid, to my list of unsung American heroes.
So where are the coins with Dr. Wynder on them?? The stamps?? The bank notes?? Doesn't this country know a national hero when it is handed to them on a silver platter?? Why the heck isn't this guy a household name?? And why wasn't a world class non-smoker such as myself familiar with him until now??
Credit must be given to T.R. Reid, who mentions Dr. Wynder in his extremely important and well written book The Healing of America: a global quest for better, cheaper and fairer health care. The book is a handy, fascinating, easy to read overview of the different kinds of health care systems found throughout the world, which in turn serves as a prescription for fixing the American health care mess. You will find mention of Dr. Wynder, and more about his work, in the chapter on preventative medicine and public health ("An Apple a Day").
Come to think of it, T.R. Reid is also an American hero for writing this book. By bringing this information to our attention, he is doing the U.S. a huge service. So where are the postage stamps?? The coins?? The bank notes?? The grade school essays?? I will add both names, Wynder and Reid, to my list of unsung American heroes.
yes, but think of all of the billions of tobacco dollars those commies pulled out of our economy. Heroes? I say hang the bastards!
ReplyDeleteFunny in Mad Men how all the top people at the American Cancer Society are depicted as smokers. That's mid 60's.
Ideas, no matter how right or well-intended, are often just that: cognitive events.
To which I say, being wrong is its own punishment.
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