Stories about health
• PET PROTECTION: Having siblings, keeping a pet, or living on a farm helps protect infants against the development of allergic diseases, but early infections increase the risk. Danish researchers found the risk of allergic dermatitis increased with each infectious disease before six months of age which contrasts with the common belief that infectious diseases early in life may protect against the development of allergic diseases.
• MEDICAL JOURNAL: Irish Medical Law and Ethics, a new journal covering topical and relevant subjects in law and ethics, has been launched by Irish Me'dical Information. The bi-monthly electronic bulletin will deal with legal news, medico-legal dilemmas and ethical principles and conflicts. Dr Simon Mills, barrister, GP and ethicist, has been appointed managing editor. The journal is free to doctors. Contact imle@medicalimi.com
• HEALING MUSIC: A seminar in Dublin on Saturday, May 15th will highlight the value of music therapy for children with mental health problems. Music therapist Jim Cosgrove will give an overview of music therapy and explain how it can help children deal with emotional trauma and/or behavioural problems in a non-verbal way. The seminar takes place in the Child Guidance Unit, Mater Hospital, Dublin from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost 25. Tel: 01 2835853.
• MARRIAGE GUIDANCE: Has marriage been good for you? Could you help others make a success of their marriage? If so, Accord, the marriage counselling service, is interested in hearing from you. Information evenings in preparation for training as a marriage education facilitator take place on Monday, May 17th at 8.30 p.m in Accord Centre, 39 Harcourt St, Dublin 2 and on Tuesday, May 25th in the Iona Centre, Idrone Avenue, Knocklyon, Dublin. Tel: 01 4784400 for further details.
• ME MEET: Contrary to what was indicated last week, there is a €5 admission to the ME Awareness Week public lecture by Malcolm Hooper, from the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Sutherland on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the Royal Dublin Hotel, O'Connell St, Dublin. ME Awareness Week runs from Saturday until Saturday, May 15th. Tel: 01 2350965.