h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

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That's really too bad. Having someone in the medical community to check for accuracy of medical entries was quite a useful feature. The possibility of BBC using their own 'medical reporters' to assume that job really scares me.

I agree. Certainly someone should have checked the accuracy of the entry titled "neuropathy". As someone who actually suffers from a type of neuropathy, I know more about this particular subject than most, having used the net to find out as much as possible about a syndrome that is highly complex and the subject of much (but not enough!) research by the medical profession.

The Guide entry on this is, in my opinion, completely biased towards alcohol abuse as being the most likely cause of this sort of nerve damage. This is FAR from the case; the causes are currently being investigated intensively; and while chronic alcoholism MAY in some cases be implicated, the syndrome is well documented in people who have never consumed alcohol!

The statement at the end of the article also gives the impression that full recovery is virtually impossible; this again is ill-informed and likely to cause enormous anxiety to someone who has just been diagnosed searching for further information about the condition from this source.

Upon investigation of the author of the article (reading his home-page, journal remarks etc.) it becomes clear that he is basing the Entry on his own personal experience of "caring" for a sufferer who has a particularly severe form of the condition which appears in this case to be related to previous alcohol abuse. Whilst his account is undoubtedly harrowing, in my opinion articles purporting to give medical information to the public should as far as possible be unbiased.

Along with several other Researchers affected by disorders of the nervous system, we have recently set up a support group/ discussion forum dealing with such matters; "De Myelin Nation" A889194. We do not offer medical advice or opinions OTHER than those based on our own experiences; I will contact the author of this and suggest he visits us there and makes a contribution.

I would be very interested in your comments on this -- I realise it is written in a more formal manner than is usual on h2g2, but as I HOPE you are aware, conversations are being featured on Google's "h2g2 cache"; therefore the whole web can read them! (Personally I find this an even more scary thought than the one you originally raised!)

Allthe best,Terri.

Excellant that is GONE How did you know where to complain? Did U yikes it?

IT'S GONE?????????????????????????
I'LL just go & check.
All I did was the above in reply to Anonymouse, who had obviously clicked onto the h2g2 med. team; she may not have contacted them via our favourite article but some other one though.
See you back at HQ
Terri

No, I think we're at cross-purposes here, Abbi!
The h2g2 medical team has gone, ie from what I can gather there is no "independent" advisory panel to edit Medical Entries. This is what Anonymouse was concerned about; which I am too.

I find it even more worrying now since 360 directs people to not only the "neuropathy" article; but his previous attempt "Alconeuropathy"; which is designed to be even scarier! (As far as I can gather, this one wasn't published, but can be accessed via his home page.)
Terri.

O IC !!! YIKES can we bombard it with negativity? That was there a very long time ago I think. Totally misunderstood! Too I make MORE mistakes then. Sorry. Well thats pure BS! Gotta be able to do something!

Well, if we all added something on "discuss this entry" at least it would show somebody's looked at it!
We could put a plug for De Myelin NationA889194 at the same time!
Not sure how you actually 'yike' an article; I think it might be wiser to suggest replacing it with one that's more up-to-date (ie: that WE write & submit)
I wish I knew what had happened to the poor soul who made the first comments about the article; shame they didn't have a name.
Terri

Awww yes, I bet it upset many whom did Not leave a message. Did you reply there? I think a linK would be good,its the very least we can do!

Yes, I did, on the 1st night I joined h2g2. As for a link, I'm baffled by such things, you'd have to consult with .
Just as long as it makes clear that we DON'T agree with it!
Terri

interesting...