LOW CARBOHYDRATE AND HIGH FAT: CONTROL OF LIFE STYLE DISEASES.

Low Carbohydrate High Fat(LCHF)

LCHF (Keto) Something not yet published on medical journal or in the medical educational but practiced in general and well known dietary  plan for weight control, cholesterol reduction and sugar control.

Carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are starches, dextrins, glycogen and cellulose such as sucrose,lactose maltose and glucose, etc. They all form economical  sources of energy in human diets. Most of the carbohydrate  is initially stored in liver as glycogen and released into the blood as glucose. This is oxidized in tissues to provide energy yielding 4 calories per gramme. When not needed for sudden use, the released glucose is stored again as glycogen, in muscles and other tissues, to be oxidized in tissues to provide energy or converted to fat. Insulin accelerates conversion of glucose to glycogen and the oxidization of tissue carbohydrates and adrenaline accelerates conversion of liver glycogen to glucose. The complete metabolism of glucose depend upon an adequate supply of vitamin B1.

Fat

Fats mainly serve mainly as a source of reserve energy and constituent of body tissues. They are necessary in the structure of all tissues,specially brain and nerves and serve as heat insulators under the skin and provide padding  to keep the body organs. vessels and nerves in place and acts as a vehicle for fat soluble vitamins. Dietary facts are mixtures of esters of glycerol and fatty acids and comprise a wide range of organic compounds. The various fatty acid give different characteristics to different fats. particularly the melting point.  All fats for human consumption melting points as near  the body temperature.When the melting point is high the digestion is slowed and unabsorbed fats may appear in faeces. The unsaturated fatty acids are of special importance in human nutrition.The higher proportion of saturated fat in diet the greater to have risks to coronary risk factors.During digestion fats are split into their component fatty acids and glycerol. the action of the pancreatic and gastric lipases.

Normal Requirements for a Human Body

The necessary nutrients must be absorbed and utilized in amounts for the maintenance of health. Health does not change suddenly when a diet is changed. The change for better may take place so slowly that is not easily observed. Water is the main requirement of body and principal component forming 70% of body weight. It holds in solution all nutrients for quick intake by  the body cells and the metabolites to be quickly excreted through urine and sweat. The fluidity of blood is necessary for blood cells to travel to distant parts of body. Electrolyte.PH. osmotic and all other vital quick functions of the body depend upon the water balance in the body.


During digestion,fats are split into there  component fatty acids and glycerol, by the acting pancreatic and gastric lipases. Bile in the small intestine act as emulsifying agent and increases the solubility of fats so that enabling lipases to come in effective contact with fat globules. Fatty acid are then phosphorylated to phospholipids, vitamin b2 complex. A considerable portion of the phosphorylated absorbed fat appear in the liver discharged in to the blood stream. Some reconstitution of fat also  occur in the local wall, it is removed via the lymph to the blood stream. After Absorption fat
may  be oxidized yielding nine calories/ gramme or may be stored in the fat depots as a reserve of fuel for the future. glycerol is probably oxidized to 3carbon compounds resembling those forward in the intermittent metabolism of carbohydrates. Normally the fatty acids undergo beta-oxidization ending in carbon-dioxide and water. The long carbon chains of fatty acids in the liver in to keto-acids which also can be off fatty acids and not necessarily harmful substances in diabetics,starvation or the diet containing too much fat and  too little carbohydrate incomplete oxidation of fats resulting in ketosis with an accumulation of acetoacidic acid and acetone in the body,  as their normal break down needs simultaneous carbohydrates.

This is a perfect diet for anyone who is currently overweight  or obese, higher sugar levels or with abnormal lypid profile. This has given long term results whoever following and adapted Keto Food habits. Within 2 weeks you can see major difference in your body weight and energy level.

If there any sickness or other major treatment is going on, this should be followed by consulting your physicians.


P M Kutty

SWIMMING POOLS AND WATER PURIFICATION

SWIMMING POOL

Introduction

The swimming pool as a place of healthy exercise and relaxation should be attractive and lead to some end to the promotion of health physically and mentally well being. That must be healthy surroundings and protected from pollution. The pool should have a shallow gutter running around just above the permanent water level in the pool and other one always above the edge of pool. A place for undressing must be provided as an append to the bath together with sufficient sanitary urinals and lavatories and shower booths, which every bather must use before entering the swimming pool. The pool should provide an average of 3 sq meter of surface area per bather as calculated at the peak hours and the length should be at least 3 times the breadth and depth of 3 to 5 times at the deep end. For very young children a separate bath is preferable. Swimming pool can become dangerous sources of transmission of many diseases like upper respiratory tract infections, for example influenza, common cold, cerebro spinal fever chickenpox, nasopharyngitis and intestinal diseases including dysentery, diarrhea, jaundice, and other water borne diseases. Certain fungal infections like athletes foot can occur at bathing pools. Ear drum injuries and eye diseases like conjunctivitis also caused through swimming pools. The full area around the pool and premises and the pool should be always clean thoroughly.

Prevention of infections

In addition to ensuring the purity of water certain rules of conduct for the bathers have to emphasized. Those must be framed and exhibited in visible places at the pool. Those rules are based upon are, dogs are not to be allowed near to the pool, an another shower bath must be taken after swimming, persons suffering from intestinal, eye and ear and skin infections, upper respiratory infections, discharging sores and wounds and also passing discharges from any parts or openings of the body must be prohibited from using the swimming pool. before entering the the pool all bathers should ease their bowels and bladder and throat discharges and have a shower bath with soap. Interchange of costumes should not be allowed. Women must wear a waterproof cowl to cover their hair. Before entering the bathing pools bathers should dip their feet for few minutes in 2 t0 3 % chlorine solution kept near the diving boards, platforms and ladders. Bathers should not spit into the pool. Gutter around the running just above the surface of water in the pool must be used for this purpose. Separate cloak rooms and dressing rooms and toilet rooms and bath rooms should be maintained for both genders. Special care for children bathers like protecting ear by plugging with cotton rounds and also they should be taught to swim with out taking water into the mouth and swallowing it. Due to these a most of the respiratory, ear and intestinal infections can be avoided.

Purification of water in swimming pools.

When a daily change of water or continuous flow is not practicable the water in pool must be renewed at least once a week and at least ten to fifteen % of water is to be replaced by a flow of fresh water every day. When bath water is emptied the sides and bottom floor is scrubbed and washed with lime water before refilling. To prevent algal growth and accumulation of slime(mud) in sides and bottom of the pool,  mix an addition of copper sulfate 2 grammes per 1000 liters of water once a week. When continuous wholesale change or inflow not carried out, some swimming pools are equipped with the continuous filtration and chlorination system, but fill and empty system is found usually. Attention is very necessary to ensure that water is maintained in a pure state continually at such baths. Sedimentation is rarely possible, when possible a separate settling tank must be provided for the sedimentation process. It is carried out by adding 70 gm of alum per hundred liters of water and allow the water for 4 hours stay in settling tank before refilling the pool by syphonage. In all the systems of clarification ten % of water should be drained out and replaced by fresh water at every turn of clarification.

Sterilization process carried out not only for the initial sterilization of water but also maintains a  minimum sterilizing to neutralize soon any ineffective organism/material,etc.introduced by bathers. Chlorination is always necessary and is carried out by injecting chlorine gaseous by using chloronome plants or by liquid chlorine or adding water sterilizing powder, having find out by the required amount of water sterilizing powder by doing Horrocks test calculation. WSP may be added at the water inlet when the swimming pool is being refilled with a special dosing apparatus. The swimming pool water from 4 to 5 different points should be tested for a colour test daily half an hour after adding the water sterilizing powder solution. If a blue colour is not obtained the daily dose of wsp must be increased. This method is satisfactory where a daily change of water in the swimming pool is carried out and this may be acceptable when water clarification is efficient highly. Bacteriological tests should be carried out weekly from 5 different parts of pool, and an hour after the maximum concentration of bathers. Chlorination by mechanical injector is the ideal method. In all modern water works armed with a highly efficient system of   ensuring a high clarity of water, such as are obtained in large municipal corporations or base areas, chlorination by use of gaseous or liquid chlorine mechanically in water by means of chloronomes is carried out.

 

 

PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF CHOLERA

INTRODUCTION

Cholera is an acute dehydrating diarrhea along with rice watery or colourless  stool as a consequence of vibrio cholera or vibrio El Tor stains. Mortality is more in vibrio cholera and morbidity and  carrier state is more in El Tor. It was spread over vast areas of world in the past and the most important epidemic centre in the world was Bengal in India from where the pandemics had, and also important centers are central India and south Tamilnadu and Uttarpradesh and deltas of main rivers in India, so that India was known as home of cholera. There are also endemic areas in China Yangtse valley and in Burma and Philippines. It increases with the onset of monsoon and decreases rapidly after monsoon. Places of pilgrimage are the main epidemic centers for its dispersion all over the countries. Pandemics and epidemics follow the routes of travel.

Cholera EL Tor stain

A research worker in 1905 on the shores of Red sea isolated peculiar strains of from the bodies of pilgrims of from mecca, who had shown no signs and symptoms of cholera, but shown in laboratory just reacted like vibrio cholera bacillus except that it produced a haemolysin. Because the pilgrims had not really seen died of cholera. Thus it was thought that vibrio E Tor was not a disease producing bacteria till it was proved and established in Celebes causing a severe disease exactly like cholera. The infection remained and confined for a long time to small areas of the island of Celebes till 1961 and it attacked many countries in pacific region and in south east Asia from where cholera had disappeared, encroaching upon the traditional areas of classified cholera. During 1955 El Tor cholera spread in many countries and epidemics broke out in India, Nepal, Pakistan,etc, and question raised whether the cholera El Tor is a variation of classical cholera or is a different disease from practical point of view been settled in 1962 by WHO research group on cholera. The illness caused by the El Tor vibrio is indistinguishable from that caused by the vibrio classical cholera. It is, therefore, now regarded necessarily identical with classical cholera and must be treated as such and international health regulations also redefined cholera to include cholera El Tor. Man is the reservoir of infection. 

Source of infection

Cases suffering from cholera and polluting water, food, etc, are the immediate source of infection. Route and mode of transmission are infection by vibrio cholera by ingestion and most common vehicle of infection being water.Organism of cholera can survive in water with saline and organic contents for a long time. Mild cases cholera defecating daily on the river bank or near collection of water, like ponds, for few days can start an explosive out break of cholera amongst those who drink this water. Vegetables and fruits washed or watered with polluted water may also carry the illness if eaten raw. If milk is diluted with polluted water can spread the disease and also flies may infect food in the presence of a cholera case close by. Mineral water is also a vehicle when it is made by unpurified water. Food contamination by polluted water, cooks and other food handlers serve as a vehicle of infection. Incubation period is less than 5 days and may be little as 12 hours. A case of cholera is ineffective during the incubation period, the course of disease and about 7 days there after.

Prevention and control

Protected water supply purified, protected, chlorinated and proper disposal of night soil and sewage. Safe and protected milk supply, protected wholesome food, and washed green raw vegetables and fruits like watermelon and absence of flies and healthy habits of eating, drinking and defecating and personal hygiene. A prohibition of employment of workers who may be carriers to handle food are the principal preventive measures. Regular preventive inoculation campaign in endemic areas of cholera. It confers protection for 3 to 6 months after which re inoculation is required. All the cholera vaccines manufactured in India contain El Tor component. International Health regulations by WHO are important to prevent the international spread of cholera which has become very easy because of the increase of speed of  modern travel. Under the regulations people coming from areas where cholera persists, must be vaccinated and are carefully screened. Preventive measures are taken on arrival from suspected areas by ships, aircraft, trans and road vehicles. A better standard of living, personal cleanliness, clean water supply, better health services permitting rapid hospitalization of cholera cases, better food hygiene and health habits are the important factors in the control of and research in cholera is to be hoped that the long standing epidemicity in India will disappear and spread of cholera El Tor will be prevented.

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BODY EXERCISE, FATIGUE AND RECOVERY

INTRODUCTION

 EXERCISE

The  body requires normal strain. Physical inactivity leads to obesity, low muscular laxity, low katabolism, low cardiac tolerance and a low threshold for physical and emotional stress. Physical activity is a stimulant to the growth of children and adolescents and promotes and increases mental relaxation in adults. It increases resistance against heart disease, respiratory infections, etc, prevents obesity and physical and mental dullness. Excise should not be so excessive as to cause extreme fatigue as like all stimuli, it becomes a stress making factor if it is excessive. It should be sufficient to produce pleasant weariness demanding relaxation. Stage of relaxation recovery must follow exertion causing.  Relaxation and sleep are necessary for recovery of the body from fatigue eliminating biochemical products and psychological  effects of mental and physical exertion. Sleep should be sound with out any artificial aids like pills of tranquilizers, seductives. A sound sleep is make sure by freedom from ill health, good feeding and enough mental and physical exercises and comfortable from thermal environments, freedom from pests like bedbugs, mosquitoes, rats and sand flies and so on, and also comfortable garments, bed, bedding and bed linen and free from noise.

USE OF LEISURE

Recreation for persons to get interest in healthy out door and indoor activities and games, recreational outings, visits to places of historical, cultural and religious interests and hobbies like painting, music, handicraft, photography and other past time re creative engagements for using leisure in healthy endeavor to attain produces a healthy attitude of life, inhibits temptation to indulge in unhealthy activities, aimless loitering quarrelsome behavior and provides relaxation. All facilities may be provided and men to be induced to take full advantages. Ethical, religious and moral teaching keeps the mind of people geared to healthy thought and action which provides a strong inhibiting factor in unhealthy pursuits like promiscuity and alcoholism or heavy smoking habits. A high physical standard is achieved by regular exercise. Drinking and smoking should be avoided.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE MEASURES AGAINST DISEASES.

Active preventive measures against diseases may be non-specific and are to be build highly resistant positive health against ill health like use of mosquito net against insect borne diseases like malaria, filaria and and protection of eyes with dark glasses and use of proper cloths in winter and summer to avoid adverse effects climate such as heat stroke, cold injuries like frost bite,etc. immunization is a single most protective measures against some specific diseases. Observation of personal protective measures should become a part of our behavior pattern. There are direct or indirect measures which protect against physical injuries, mental break down and such other non-preventable diseases. For example maintenance of vehicles, good training, precautions to to avoid accidents, physical and mental fitness are some of the some of the non specific measures.

MODIFICATION IN MODE OF LIFE

Modification becomes essential under certain conditions. Life in extremely hot surroundings like desert require a high water and an adequate salt intake. similarly life in high altitude needs sufficient caloric food intake to meet effects of cold and hypoxia. Adequate protection by proper use of extra clothing is necessary in cold at an high altitude. Use of dark glasses is necessary to protect from snow blindness at high altitude areas. Protective clothing must be used to take care of insect vectors, leeches and snake bites. similarly living in different terrains wants good habits of living in harmony with the surroundings. Regarding personal hygiene men should should get facilities each day for washing and changing inner clothes and socks. At the same time dangers of bathing and washing in revers and lakes which are polluted with sewage to be remembered.

CARE OF THE FEET AND PREVENTION OF SORE FEET

All men are to wash their feet minimum twice a day, normally in tepid water if available. After this they should be steeped in cold water for ten minutes. Soaking them in a solution of salt water is useful to harden very soft feet. It is useful to wear a pair of thin nylon or cotton socks. Changing into chapels at the end of the day work is great value.Those with a tendency to sore feet should dust with foot powder each day. Feet must be kept clean always.

PREVENTION OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Introduction

Diseases are mainly divided in two groups namely, communicable and non communicable groups. The communicable diseases showed the greatest decline in the country some diseases like tuberculosis,  poliomyelitis,etc. while some others have shown an increased incidence. Non-communicable diseases and injuries are similar to the communicable diseases and shown a trend of increasing accidental injuries and non communicable diseases, there fore, primary, secondary and tertiary prevention is applicable to non-communicable diseases as in the case of communicable diseases group. A few of the such examples of diseases  shows below. These diseases chosen due to their trend is rising in population or may be expected to rise in the near future more and more. The following examples are stress diseases, mental illnesses, hypertension, heart diseases, stroke, cancer, peptic ulcer, goitre and  allergic disorders and accidental injuries, etc. 

Stress diseases

In this sense stress is a link of certain chain of reactions which makes the process of development of final resistance to the strains. Resistance produced may be specific or general. In the biological consideration of stress these reactions produce the general acclimatization and specific adaptation syndromes. These syndromes are in reality the normal mechanisms of the development of resistance and not the symptom complex. The symptoms do not manifest themselves if the process of production of resistance is smoothly. The general adaptation mechanism is produced when the general defensive process of the body are excited. Biological stress is caused by pathogenic organisms and physical stress is caused by physical factors like heat, cold, burn, injury and psychological stress is produced by an adverse situation, emotional or social challenge, proximity of an aggressive or over showing personality. A group of diseases presently considered to be produced or influenced by such strain and stress of life are called stress diseases. Individual with resistance against stress may be recognized  in their childhood and their inherit resistance boosted up by providing proper environments. Mental illness, hypertension, heart diseases, cancer, peptic ulcer, goitre, etc and its prevention are written in  my previous blogs. please see.

Allergic disorders

The meaning of the word allergy is altered reactivity, just a maladaptation syndrome which is making its appearance of morbidity in all over the world. Some of the manifestations of stress termed as psychosomatic such as skin rashes and upper respiratory bronco-spasms can not be distinguished from the ones with allergic reasons(aetiology). Stress or psychosomatic aetiology plays some role precipitating allergic manifestations. Allergy is another type of detest reaction of hypersensitivity to the antigen produced by antigen-antibody coalition which shows during the process of development of immunity against it. Allergy may exist not only for against a foreign protein but also to physical factors like cold, heat, and biological factors like certain plants or chemicals like, sulpha, by getting conjugated with serum protein and acting as antigens. The tissue response to antigen is brought about by an inter-action of antigen and antibody.

Accidental injuries

Accidental injuries make the second major cause for sickness. The first is being the respiratory group diseases.These injuries vary to a great extent in degree of severity and may be only out patient treatment or may be serious requiring prolonged hospitalization may knock out the individuals from work from a considerable time and some individual should require restorative and rehabilitative treatments after curative treatments in the cases of severe burns and rail and road transport accidents and fire works explosive  accidents  in religious functions of temples, masjids, churches where lot of persons are gathered. Major injuries are simple fractures, compound fractures and complicated fractures, and also head injuries and chest injuries and perforated abdomen and deep lacerated wounds of soft tissue parts. Minor injuries are  abrasions, contusions, sprains. small incised and lacerated wounds.In a majority of motor transport accidents the driver is at fault. Over speeding, negligence and carelessness are the factors. The road may be narrow and with sharp bends specially in hilly areas or it may be slippery with slushy. Industrial injuries caused by electricity and fire, suicidal injuries including hanging and drowning,  poor maintenance of machinery and equipment and explosion, etc.

Preventive measures for accidental injuries

Most of the accidental injuries are preventable if attention is paid for for health promotion. All should  be given about health education on promotion of health of injuries on the various causes of injuries and its prevention. Physical fitness of persons by balanced diet, good living conditions, and proper medical and health care to workers including periodical medical check ups, and providing healthy work environments, specially to industrial workers. Proper anti fire precautions and removing all types of stresses and guarding of dangerous machines. Supervision of workers and investigation of all injuries and good house keeping. Disability limitation and rehabilitation : Early treatment by physiotherapy will prevent disability in many cases of injuries. Early treatment will prevent prevent prolonged hospitalization. Rehabilitation of all injured patients important in making them useful members of the society and also to help them gain confidence in making them their livelihood. There should be medical, psychological, social and vocational rehabilitation.

preventive measures for allergy

In the case of allergy a careful search for the agent which is a person is sensitized, required by a skin tests and advise to avoid them to save man power and man-day wastage.In all cases precautions to combat allergy if it rises must be taken. Desensitization by giving gradually increasing doses can be carried out if the allergy is proved. Any food stuff  like vegetable or some sort of fruit is seems to be allergy after consume it is better to avoid it. Many persons are allergic to chocolate biscuits and ice creams and there by increasing bronco spasms and running nose and suffering from asthmatic complaints after taking some food stuff. It is always better to prevent than cure by taking some anti-allergic medicines. some persons are allergic to cold and in winter season those will increase with allergic manifestations e.g. asthma.etc.

Prevention and control for stroke and heart attack

The artery which supply blood to cardiac muscles is blocked then the person gets heart attack, similarly the artery which supply blood to brain is blocked, will get stroke which is also known as cerebro vascular accident(cva). The block takes place in right or left common carotid artery or in both which supplies blood to head and also to brain by its branches.If the cerebrum in right side is affected, left side of the body is paralised, same way if the left side of cerebrum is affected , the right side of the body is similarly affected. A by stander if he knows the signs of stroke he can save the life of patient by asking to speak a simple sentence, or tell to rise his hands or try to make smile. If he can not to do any one of these he will be taken to a hospital with in 3 hrs where a neurologist is available, then his life may be saved. Heart attack some times will not show pain in chest in the diabetic cases, but other symptoms like feeling of vomiting(nausea) excessive sweating, pain chin and radiation of pain to left hand. Normally heart attack begins at the early hrs of morning from 5 to 10 am while the heart is taking rest in the early morning hrs. Drinking one glass water before going to bed prevents stroke and heart attack. It can be prevented by dehydration by drinking water, says cardiologist. Take aspirin tablets before going to bed by  the advise of your health  provider, dose, and time he may tell you. The 65% people may get attack at night in the early hrs of sleep may not get up, but may wake you up with pain from your sound sleep,then you must call your neighbor or close relative nearby him and wait by the arrival of doctor or make the patient lie down in a stretcher and take him to hospital,do not make him to walk or move  till the pain subsides after giving injection to relieve pain by doctor.

 

INSPECTION OF FOOD ITEMS AND PREVENTION OF FOOD ADULTRATION

INTRODUCTION

Food is a substance when taken inside, meets 3 requirements of body, such as it is essential for energy production, replacing of the worn-out tissues and promotion of tissue growth. Mainly its either by themselves or in a combination with others in the body having among their functions which are regulating these 3 processes. For the purpose to appreciate of influence food on health and the factors which effect food requirements, it is necessary to know the chemical compositions of foods and their metabolism in man. This knowledge is for assessing the food requirements of  in the practical theory, the clinical effects of diets varying stands and their rectification is possible only if the basic facts are estimated justly. The common constituents of food necessary for human nutrition are proteins, fats and carbohydrates which yield energy and carry tissue growth and repairs. Energy is required for maintaining body temperature and main actions of organs and for mechanical work. Vitamins are organic compounds required in small quantities for normal growth and maintenance of a healthy life. Vitamins are mostly available in fresh milk, meat, eggs, vegetables and fruits. 

Inspection of food stuffs.

The prevention of food adulteration act, 1954 is to control quality of food stuffs kept for sale to the public. The inspection of food items offered for sale is necessary to ensure that they are of an adequate nutritive value,will not cause food borne diseases. Composite laboratories are available for special tests and analysis. Food inspectors and regional vigilance food inspectors are appointed  in municipal corporations and panchayaths by state governments. The service of food inspection officers are enlisted to work with food laboratories to ensure the quality of food and if any adulteration is found in tests the seller will be prosecuted and if found guilty then punished with fine and imprisonment. Adulteration of food at storage and selling of adulterated food to public are offense as per food adulteration act,1954.

Inspection principles

Sampling of the products requiring inspection is the first important procedure. Samples should be adequate in quantity. For example if tinned milk is being examined it may be essential to sort the consignments into different brands. In the analysis of sample obtained the factors should be noted are the appearance, taste, physical condition, smell of the commodity in relation to its normal characteristics and its keeping qualities. For the food items in bottles, in cartons. bottles and cans,etc, the internal and external condition of the container, expiry date of warranty period and name of manufacture are to be considered.

Disposal of food stuffs after examinations.

Food may be considered fit for issue with out conditions, fit for issue with in a limited period, or unfit for issue. The only difference between atta and flour, these two wheat products are, in the the point of view of inspections, is that atta contains more pericarp or bran and of the germ of the wheat berry. So it is a grayish colour as compared with refined flour. Fresh flour or atta smells good and having a uniform and has a band taste devoid of sharpness. Prolonged storage normally results deterioration or from adverse storage conditions.The main causes for rejection are poor baking quality, infestation of larvae by common during monsoon, mould infection may occur in moist condition, and etc. Ordinary bread is made of white flour and must be well risen and aerated and free from large cavities and with a elastic peace of bread. It can be consumed after 24 hours after baking, and the main defects in bread are heaviness and sourness and soddenness. All these may be due to bad storage and bad baking. Biscuits are made of flour, sugar, salt, hydrogenated oil, water , milk and bicarbonate of ammonia. On examination it should be noted appearance, colour, odour, hardness, palatability and presence or absence of insects. The main defects are rancidity, softness and presence of moulds. The main principles of inspecting fresh milk supplies is to find out visible dirt and adulteration and assess nutritive value and keeping quality and ascertain efficiency of pasteurization. The specific gravity of milk is1.029 to 1.033. But adulterated milk by water with will show below normal, but still can show normal by adding sugar or corn- flour. This can be detected by laboratory tests.

Appearance of rice and degree of milling, insect infestation, mouldiness should be  noted while inspecting rice.And milk products and hydrogenated oil, tinned fruits and jam, sugar, dals and beans and peas, condiments, tea, salt, tinned meat and fish and etc are to be inspected  periodically in shops and in hotels where food is served and samples also to be taken and sent for laboratory tests to find out adulteration in food stuffs displayed for selling to public.

pm kutty

INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE ON HUMAN HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

INTRODUCTION

The beneficial effects on the health and well-being and progress of mankind is from the adaptation. Even after acclimatization the physical, physiological, psychological and functional abilities of human being are maximum with in a certain range of atmosphere and climatic conditions. Climate decides the energy level of man in a given environment. In a tropical climate to counter act the difficulty of in heat loss. Man has adopted a lower rate of heat production. The main capacity of young healthy adults living near the equator is only a little more than half of the vital capacity in similar individuals living in a temperate climate. Sub tropical and temperate climate are more suited to the fullest efficiency of man as moderate variations maintain the vigour of developmental progression.

THE METEOROLOGY

This is recently developed branch of science which studies the effects of climate living organisms. the branch of biology which deals with the inter-relation ship of organisms with their complete environs, inclusive of earth, water, atmosphere, radiation, plants and other living organisms is called ecology. The science concerned with atmosphere, weather, climate and inter relation between the components of atmosphere is called meteorology. Bio meteorology consists of the ecology of living things; plants animals and man. It joins biology, ecology, and meteorology in the study of system in which organisms and atmospheric component of the total environment interact. It has got 3 sub divisions namely, the plant, animal and the human bio meteorology. The favorable reactions maintain the internal normality and lead to adaptation and biological success of the organisms; unfavorable reactions lead to internal imbalance, non adaptation of living things and its biological defeat and disease process.

THE ADVERSE EFFECTS

Climate adversely effect on human health directly of its whimsical and extremes; indirectly by influencing mans metabolism or defensive mechanisms and remotely by modifying his complete environs. The direct adverse effects are caused when exposed to climatic extremes and if the homeostatic mechanisms fail, either due to severity or rapidity of or prolonged exposure or non-adaptability, or  due to physiological dysfunction. This conditions produce like heat stroke, cold injuries, heat exhaustion and high altitude hypoxia, etc. Incidence of infection and illness, functional deficiency or inefficiency due to them are commoner than due to the direct influences. The remote mode of causation of disease is by adversely changing the external environments so that it affects human physiology hurtfully. Thus prolonged shortage of water in areas with low rain fall may be associated with higher malnutrition. Meteorological changes also bring about the evolution and devolution of disease on the pathogenic organisms either by direct influence or indirectly through change in the socio-economic and cultural patterns of the community. There are three types of reactions occur in response to exposure to climatic extremes. The first type occurs when the homeostatic mechanisms inadequately meet the challenge of climatic vagaries and extremes in an inadequately acclimatized person and the second type happens when the homeostatic mechanisms are quite adequate but the external conditions are excessively severe or prolonged and the third type occurs when the homeostatic mechanisms completely surrender because of stretched beyond normal tolerable critical limits and the failure of general adaptation mechanisms and general collapse results.

A knowledge of the principles of bio meteorology is necessary for health staff from the point of view of promoting health, prevention of ill effects and prevention of and control of diseases and maintaining of high physical and mental efficiency.

EFFECTS OF POWERFUL SOLAR RADIATION

Solar radiation affects the health directly or indirectly. The direct effects occurs directly to eyes and skin. Various wave lengths of the component rays in the solar spectrum which penetrate the atmosphere cause biochemical, luminous and thermal effects rays are Ultra-violet and violet, Blue are biochemical rays. luminous rays are Green, Yellow, orange and heat rays are Red infra red. The combined effect of solar radiation is to provide radiant thermal energy to warm the skin and stimulate metabolism to produce a biochemical effect on the living organisms and plants. In temperate climates sunshine promotes a feeling of comfort, cheerfulness and physical well-being. Moderate exposure to sun rays is beneficial even during hot weather when it promotes adaptive mechanisms. Forty percent of the solar radiation is reflected away from the unclad skin reducing the thermal heat load to a great extent. And also clothing reduces the penetration of solar radiation. Very little of ultra-violet and longer infra-red rays are reflected from the skin surface, and there fore they are absorbed in the upper horny layer of skin. The infra red which penetrates beyond the epidermis causes heating in the dermis and the deeper layer which produce vitamin d and destroy micro organisms.

In the tropics so much sunshine is uncomfortable, irritating and enervating and dangerous to health. Constant exposure to the intense glare from the sun is irritating to the point of causing distress, head ache, mental irritation and exhaustion. There are heat effects but are the radiation effects may occur in the tropics, sub tropics and high altitude or even in the arctic zone. The long term effects of exposure to intense unfiltered sunshine as at high altitude or in tropical or sub tropical regions are ageing of skin with wrinkling and loss of elasticity and in the long run even the rodent ulcers and skin cancers. The rays at high altitude are unfiltered of its short ultra-violet portion and causing harmful effects. Similar effects are seen in those parts of the world where sun rays are mostly unfiltered due to paucity of terrestrial dust and water vapour. for example in Australia and Newzealand where rodent ulcers are common.

PROPHYLAXIS AND FIRST AID

Clothing removes a larger portion of the  ultra-violet rays. It should be based on the fact that skin pigmentation is increased by rays of wave lengths different from those which produce sun burn and dermatitis. Protective s should be the applications which filter out the shorter sun burn portion but allow longer pigment-forming portion of ultra-violet rays to pass through. Application of calamine lotion is the first measure for sun burn and solar dermatitis. The best preventive measures for eye is wearing of glasses as advised by ophthalmologist or by an authorized person. The symptoms are intense pain, photo phobia(fear of looking to light), etc. Coloured glasses and plastic filters can absorb most of the ultra violet components of actnic rays. In advising sun glasses all the three regions of the spectrum have to be considered. The best glasses are ordinarily green or rose smoke colour. Infra-red transmission through them is slight and also they completely filter out the harmful portion of ultra-violet spectrum and transmit fifteen to twenty percent of visible radiation.