Awake!, June 8, 1970

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Awake! — June 8, 1970

Source: jw.org

Contents

When Children Give Birth

Be Alert to Dangers of Spiritism

Birds Had Them First

The Danube—Europe’s River Giant

Is Your Doctor Afraid of You?

On Delicate Wings Through Life

Did You Know that It May Be Illegal?

Christendom’s Clergy and Morals

Pesticides—Blessing or Curse?

Visiting Argentina’s “Flower City”

We Should Love, Not Hate

Watching the World

What Do You Know About the Bible?

Do You Know the Title of This Book?

When Children Give Birth

A LITTLE girl less than six years old is usually still playing with dolls and living a carefree life under the protection of her parents. But one five-and-a-half-year-old girl in Peru gave birth to a child back in 1933. Said the obstetrician who delivered the baby by cesarean section: “By a fantastic trick of nature, her reproductive organs had fully matured.”

More recently, during 1967, ten-year-olds, one in Mexico and one in Argentina, became mothers. In 1965 some authorities in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were expressing concern that “a significant number of unwed mothers are elementary school girls aged 11 and 12.”—Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, December 6, 1965.

“Amazing!” is the usual reaction to such accounts. Yet childbirth among children is becoming more and more widespread. In England the number of girls aged twelve to sixteen who mothered illegitimate children increased from 1,032 in 1939 to 2,048 in 1960. Commenting on the same problem here in the United States, an officer of the Medical Society’s maternal welfare committee in New Jersey had this to say: “A high rate of illegitimate births among teenagers reflects problems of low intelligence, broken homes, low social and economic background, and, to a large extent, ignorance.”

Normally young girls become potential mothers at the age of twelve to fourteen. In a healthy moral climate they are generally spared the rigors of parenthood until they have enjoyed in ample measure the innocent happinesses of adolescence. It is true that in earlier ages—the time when a patriarchal arrangement existed among the Hebrews, for example—young females did produce children. However, that form of society protected against abuses and difficulties attending such births. The young couple did not set up a separate establishment and fend for themselves. They continued under the supervision of elders, and doubtless older women saw to it that the infant, as well as the young mother, received care and training.

But the situation is different today! Now, when young girls become pregnant, they bring upon themselves and their offspring a great deal of hardship. Indeed, very young women usually lack the desirable qualities of a good mother. Often they thoughtlessly abuse their children, let them look out for themselves, and frequently are even glad to be rid of them if someone will take them off their hands. Premature motherhood is a cruel imposition on the child-mother. It reveals serious degeneration of conditions and attitudes of modern society.

Pointing to one angle of child corruption, a survey in England produced evidence to show that the number of young girls becoming mothers prematurely began to climb steeply after 1955. That, it was claimed, was when specially designed magazines aimed at the teen-age sector of society began to make their appearance, some of them bordering on the pornographic. That, too, was when garment firms began promoting immodest teen-age fashions, and when commercial TV began to cater to teen-agers with programs heavily loaded with sex.

Delinquent parents also must bear a heavy share of the responsibility for such conditions. They permit children a large measure of freedom for which such youngsters are totally unprepared. They lack the moral courage to lay down rules for the household and enforce them consistently. They fail to set a good example for the younger generation. They shut their eyes to the evil practices on the part of their children, such as smoking tobacco, using drugs, petting and other undue familiarities between the sexes. Animals discipline their young and lovingly protect them through their most vulnerable years. Human parents should do as much, and more.

Today, many believe that more sex education in the schools is the answer to this problem of children giving birth to children. The fact is that proper education on such intimate topics needs to start before the children go to school—yes, right in the home. If young folks are taught from a tender age Biblical morals, self-control, honesty in dealing with others, they will not so easily become the victims of depraved adults or greedy commercial exploiters.

And speaking of depraved adults, imagine the moral degradation, the beastliness of those males who, in order to gratify their passions, will not hesitate to have sexual relations with little girls! But are such conditions surprising? Not to students of the Bible, for they have noted Jesus’ prophetic words regarding these significant times: “Because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off.” (Matt. 24:12) And why this cooling off? Because of rejecting God and his righteous standards as set out in the Bible, and because of accepting the false teachings and philosophies of men.

Readers of the Bible can see that these are the “last days” of a wicked society, for they recall these words of the Bible writer Paul: “In the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, . . . having no natural affection, . . . without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, . . . lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God.”—2 Tim. 3:1-4.

No wonder God’s decree is directed against this entire wicked society on earth and its shocking moral conditions, calling for its early destruction! (Zeph. 3:8) No wonder he purposes bringing to their end all of its haters of good, its sadists, its sex perverts, its stonyhearted parents, and its greedy, unscrupulous exploiters of children! It is his loving purpose, soon to be fulfilled, that little children should have the opportunity to traverse safely the juvenile years—years that will equip them to live a satisfying adult life everlastingly.

Be Alert to Dangers of Spiritism

Why is spiritism dangerous? How can you protect yourself from its influence?

WOULD you put your hand on a stove to see if it was hot enough to burn you? If you were thirsty and saw a dark-colored bottle containing some sort of liquid, would you drink some of it, hoping that it would do you good?

“Why, that, would be unreasonable,” you may say. Well, it is the same with becoming involved in spiritism in its many forms and variations. Not only is such involvement unreasonable, it is also dangerous. In fact, it can be even more dangerous than touching a heated stove or drinking poisonous liquid.

For this reason God long ago commanded his people: “There should not be found in you anyone . . . who employs divination, a practicer of magic or anyone who looks for omens or a sorcerer, or one who binds others with a spell or anyone who consults a spirit medium or a professional foreteller of events or anyone who inquires of the dead. For everybody doing these things is something detestable to Jehovah.”—Deut. 18:10-12.

Then why do so many people dabble in spiritism? One reason no doubt is that their religious organization has not taught them what God’s Word has to say on the matter. It has not pointed them to the Scriptures.

Why People Consult Spiritists

In the island of Puerto Rico a large number of persons were asked why they go to diviners, fortune-tellers, those who cast spells, and to others who claim spiritistic powers. Their answers were very revealing. They showed that in the majority of cases there was a selfish or materialistic reason. The individual hoped to gain something thereby.

For instance, in certain cases the person consulted a spiritist because he was sick and desired a cure. Other individuals were afraid that their marriage mates were unfaithful, and so visited a spiritist in order that some sort of spell might be cast upon such unfaithful ones. Still others sought success in business or help in getting out of difficulty. On the other hand, some visited spiritists simply out of curiosity. In God’s eyes there is no valid reason for consulting spiritists.—Gal. 5:19-21.

Spiritistic Experiences

Is there really anything to spiritism? Can it produce any results or effects?

Obviously there is a powerful source connected with spiritism. Fortune-tellers, spirit mediums and other spiritists without question have produced supernatural effects. If it were not so, world leaders would not regularly consult them. For instance, Jeanne Dixon, a fortune-teller in the United States, has frequently been consulted by men of prominence.

Not long ago James A. Pike, resigned Episcopal bishop, now deceased, visited spirit mediums for the purpose of getting in touch with his son who had recently died. In Look magazine of November 12, 1968, Pike himself reports on the results. Included among those present at one visit by Pike to a spirit medium in England was Vice Provost of Southwark Cathedral Canon John D. Pearce-Higgins. The following is part of the conversation that Pike reports having had with his son Jim on this occasion:

“‘Thanks, Jim,’ I replied. ‘. . . I’ll be calling your mother to tell her about what’s going on here now.’

“‘Good,’ was the response. ‘I want her to know—to know I really love her—that I’m alive.’

“‘She believes that, Jim,’ I responded reassuringly. ‘She did all along. By the way, about things in your new situation: are you . . . alone, or—’

“‘I have masses of people around me, and hands lifting me up, as it were,’ came through—and, after a pause, ‘I was so unhappy until I could make you know.’”

Pike was deeply impressed by such communications produced as a result of his visits to spiritists. “Taking everything together,” he said, “I feel the whole thing is sufficient for an affirmation that there is continuity with people who have passed on.” Many other people have had similar spiritistic experiences, and have reached similar conclusions.

Why Spiritism Is Dangerous

But someone may ask: “What is wrong with such consultations with spiritists? Why does God’s Word condemn all spiritistic practices? What is wrong, for instance, in trying to communicate with dead loved ones?”

This is wrong and dangerous because it exposes a person to demonic influence. Actually, spiritism is getting in touch with wicked spirit creatures. One of the common ways in which these wicked spirits mislead people is by talking to them, either through a spirit medium or by a “voice” from the invisible realm. The “voice” pretends to be a departed relative or a good spirit. But “anyone who inquires of the dead” is inviting communication with the demons.—Deut. 18:11; Rev. 21:8.

Nevertheless, a person may feel convinced, even as did Bishop Pike, that the one with whom he has communicated is a dead loved one. Yet this simply could not be the case, for the dead are not conscious. The Bible emphatically says: “The living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all . . . there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol [the grave], the place to which you are going.” At death man’s soul does not survive, but the Bible shows that it dies: “The soul that is sinning—it itself will die.”—Eccl. 9:5, 10; Ezek. 18:4.

Since the dead are not conscious and hence are incapable of communicating with the living, it is to the influence of wicked spirit creatures that a person exposes himself when he dabbles in spiritism. It is with good reason, therefore, that God warns his people to keep free from every form of spiritism. Do not treat lightly the Bible command to avoid anyone or anything that has to do with spiritistic practices. (Eph. 6:11-18) Coming under demon influence can be a terrible thing. It can lead to permanent disability and death.

Be Alert to Danger Signs

To keep free from demon influence it is vital to recognize danger signs. First it would be wise to examine the teachings of your religion. Does it teach that the dead are still conscious, and that, therefore, there is possibility of communicating with them? If so, flee that religion! As the scriptures that you have just read show, it is teaching untruth. And if you believe this falsehood, then in time of need or grief you might turn to spiritism in an effort to communicate with ones you believe are still alive.

Also, be alert to customs that may seem be harmless but that can expose one to demon influence. For instance, in Puerto Rico many persons put a small amulet on the arm or wrist of a newborn baby. This is known as the “Piedra de Azabache” and is usually a little figure of a hand. Its purpose is said to be to turn away the “evil eye.” Another practice of many in Puerto Rico is to build a little house in their garden to entertain spirits with shelter, food and water. It is felt that this will keep the home free from harm by such unseen ones. However, such practices involve spiritism and one should have nothing to do with them. They lay one open to demon influence.

It is wise also to be alert to objects in the home that are definitely associated with spiritism and to get rid of them. Recently a young couple who had been subject to harassment by demons began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s witnesses. The lady of the home was accustomed to hearing noises and seeing figures in the house. When the Bible study would begin, a small bell would be heard ringing. Then the sound would grow louder and louder until it was impossible to study. Since the family had a history of association with spiritism, it was suggested that a search be made for objects through which the demons might gain entrance to the home. Even though this was done, the harassment continued.

Then one day the husband noticed that his wife had a chain around her neck to which was attached a wedding ring that had belonged to her grandmother, who had been a spiritist. So they got into their car and drove down to the water’s edge, and soon out over the water sailed the ring. What a surprise they both had at that moment! For as the ring left the thrower’s hand a voice was heard crying, “Ah . . . aah . . . a-a-a-h” until finally the ring hit the water and there was silence.

Now there is peace in the home of this couple. They can study the Bible and attend Christian meetings, and all is tranquil. This illustrates that when such difficulties are being experienced, it is important to get rid of everything that has anything to do with spiritism.

Break Free and Remain Free

How can a person break free from demon influence? What should you do if attacked by demons?

First of all remember the words of the prayer Jesus taught his followers: “Deliver us from the wicked one.” (Matt. 6:13) Yes, turn to Jehovah God and rely on him and his Word for guidance. Study God’s Word the Bible and then apply Bible principles in your life. Be positive and alert, and take action even as the disciple James wrote: “Oppose the Devil.”—Jas. 4:7.

The apostle Paul agreed with this ‘opposing’ action and so tells us: “Put on the complete suit of armor from God that you may be able to stand firm against the machinations of the Devil; because we have a fight . . . against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:11, 12) A person who puts on armor expects to fight. He cannot let himself get sleepy while in the thick of the fight, but must be alert. Otherwise, he may be overcome.

Sometimes even those who claim to be Christians have let themselves think they are so protected that they cannot come under demon attack. However, this is dangerous thinking. Satan and his demons are particularly interested in waging war against God’s servants. (Rev. 12:17) Therefore, one should never let down the barriers, but should always “oppose.”

Take as a warning example the case of a family in a small town in Puerto Rico. They had for some time been bothered with demon attacks, which caused them much distress. Windows would open and shut by themselves, noises could be heard all around the house and the small child would wake up with teeth marks on her arms as if some animal had held her arms in its mouth. But then a Bible study was started with this family by Jehovah’s witnesses. As the family began to put on the “complete suit of armor from God,” the influence of the demons diminished.

About a year passed and all was at peace in the home. Then one evening when the family returned home from a group Bible study, the father put his Bible and books on a table and said: “We now have the truth and are free, so just let us see if the demons can do anything to us now.”

Almost at once books started to fly in all directions. They were put back on the table and a Bible was placed near the door. But once again the books began to fly from the table. Since the Bible was not found in the room, the door was opened to see if it was outside. Sure enough, there it was on the steps! Then screams were heard from the daughter’s bedroom. She was found almost choking, with her nightdress wound around her neck! The whole family had to take refuge for a while in the home of a minister of Jehovah’s witnesses.

What a mistake this father made! He did not oppose the demons, but taunted them, and they accepted the challenge. Do not become overly confident. Continue to pray for Jehovah to ‘deliver you from the wicked one.’ Look to Jehovah as your refuge.—Prov. 18:10.

Another person who had broken free from spiritistic practices was overcome by a sickness that caused partial paralysis. No doctor could find the cure. However, it was noticed that during Bible sermons he gave he used certain appendages of demon worship to illustrate his points. Could these items be responsible for his sickness? Yes, for as soon as these articles were destroyed the Christian minister began to recover from his sickness.

Do not these examples emphasize the need to be alert to the dangers of spiritism? Do not fool yourself. Spiritism involves contact with wicked spirit forces. It is for this reason that God Almighty warns his people against all spiritistic practices.

Do you desire to come under demon influence? If not, be alert to the dangers of spiritism! Have nothing to do with anyone or anything that is connected with spiritistic practices. Put on the complete suit of Christian armor. Study the Bible. Pray to God incessantly. Associate regularly with God’s people, his true witnesses. Oppose the Devil at every turn. In this way you will realize protection from wicked spirit forces.

Birds Had Them First

● The snorkel and the periscope are by no means modern inventions by man. A bird, designed by the Creator, had them first. When the pied-billed grebe, a North American water bird, suspects that danger is lurking near, he will sink beneath the surface of the water, swim away to a safer area and then stick the tip of his beak out of the water, snorkel-fashion, for air. Eventually, when he decides to check if the danger is past, like a periscope he brings his head up just enough for an eye to survey the situation.

The Danube—Europe’s River Giant

By “Awake!” correspondent in Germany

THE last strains of the Strauss waltz The Blue Danube softly fade away. Visiting Vienna, we are anxious to learn more about this blue Danube, which has inspired waltzers over the years. Wandering through the streets and avenues of the Austrian capital, we inevitably encounter the river. Even in the haze of evening grayness, the Donau (as it is called in German) is intriguing.

The Danube’s source is in Germany’s Black Forest, where trickles become brooks and where rivers are born. This one grows into a 1,770-mile-long giant, which gushes 300,000 cubic feet of water into the Black Sea every second. It is Europe’s most important river as regards its volume of flow, and the Volga is the only one that is longer. From Regensburg, Germany, a train of Danube barges can carry a load of fifty railway boxcars 1,625 miles, through parts of the eight Danube countries, to the Black Sea.

Sitting down here on the bank in early evening, we watch such a train of barges glide through the water. The red, white and green striped pennants identify them as Hungarian. The sailors on board call the river the Duna. Yugoslavians and Bulgarians speak of her as the Dunav. Romanian fishermen put their nets down into the Dunarea. The Czechoslovakian geography student studies the Dunaj, and Russians call the river the Dunay. But regardless of how the name varies, or the way people’s lives along the shore differ, this giant is a binding chain between nations.

Do you see those metal containers on the barges twinkling in Vienna at night? These forty-foot-long “container loads,” as they are called, are designed to carry goods over rail, river and ocean to Asia Minor without unloading. The Danube’s easterly countries have steadily expanded trade with western Europe, and likewise goods from the west are seen on barges floating downstream to Yugoslavia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania.

It has become cool here on the bank. But the enchantment of the Danube fascinates us, even as the strains of the Strauss waltz linger on in our minds. We decide on a boat trip down the Danube.

First Leg of the Trip

We board a beautiful excursion ship that in six days will carry us over 1,250 miles down the Danube to the Soviet city of Izmail, located near the mouth of the Danube on the Black Sea.

Our steamer heads downstream, and is immediately welcomed to the heavy traffic by a train of barges under the blue, yellow and red flag of Romania. Soon we pass into Czechoslovakia, and east of Vienna we come to Bratislava.

The swelling breadth of the watery highway begins to impress us. From its German childhood and Austrian youth, an adult Czech Danube has developed. The growing pains of a stream cramped by the narrowness of the valley between upper and lower Austria is now behind.

After a few miles of flowing entirely in Czechoslovakia, the Danube soon becomes the boundary between that country and Hungary. In time it turns south, and we grow in anticipation as we approach the Hungarian capital of Budapest, one of the oldest cities of Europe. Buda, the smaller section up on the hill, and Pest, the larger portion stretching out on the plains, form one large city, every street and alley of which seem to lead to and over the river.

We are able to leave the steamer to do some sight-seeing. A stroll through the city reveals eastern Europeans who are greatly inclined toward Western ways. Some say that Budapest is the Paris of the East, where gypsies can aptly portray the lives of the people on their violins.

The ship’s whistle denies us an excursion outside of Budapest to Lake Balaton, its 231 square miles making it the biggest lake in central Europe. Instead, the river offers us a view of the huge Hungarian low plains called Alföld. On the left begin the grasslands. Here are found settlements of national tribes that have remained nomads even into our day.

Under the Sign of the Cross

As the river continues to widen, we see a distant cross on the shore. This religious symbol directs our thoughts back to a frightful drama of terror. Boats loaded down with war-horses and wagons moved down this same river under the sign of the cross—the Crusaders! Godfrey of Bouillon, Duke of Lorraine, who was to become the first Occidental king of Jerusalem, used this river to reach the Black Sea, before sailing on to the Holy Land.

The use of the Danube as transport for armies dragged on for centuries, but her waters could hardly be blamed for the streams of shed human blood that resulted. Eventually, in the fourteenth century, a remnant of defeated crusaders were followed upstream by the Turks, whose brandishing sabers pushed the Ottoman Empire up the Danube Valley as far as Vienna. The chiming of church bells on the river became an alarm, bleakly tolling out coming misery over the waters.

Onward to the Iron Gates

But we are living today, and the characteristic covered well and bucket call our attention back to the Hungarian “puszta.” Here on this vast grazing land horse raising is prominent. Women in colorful skirts and men in wide pants busily go about their chores, while twenty full-blooded stallions acknowledge our presence.

Continuing directly south, we enter Yugoslavia, and on the third day of our trip we reach Belgrade, the country’s capital. This city holds a significant spot on the East-West teeter-totter. The brightly colored pants of the men and the gaily dressed women reflect the variety of the landscape, but a variety with a common denominator: a life of hard work.

Our impressive mile-and-a-quarter-wide giant now turns eastward, becoming the boundary between Yugoslavia and Romania. Then it courageously wedges its way into the Carpathian Mountains.

At the Iron Gates it is funneled down to a mere few hundred feet. The turbulent water rebels, with eddies, whirlpools and reefs, a terror to the sailors of earlier centuries. However, most of the obstructions in the Iron Gates were blasted out toward the end of the nineteenth century and the channel was deepened. Nevertheless, all passengers are speechless at the forceful display of the waters.

Here Romania, There Bulgaria

Near the ancient Roman city of Turnu-Severin, the Danube veers south again. After some miles it once more turns east and forms the boundary between Romania and Bulgaria. The mountains and cliffs politely step back, as we are guided into the lowlands, accompanied by the lutes of fishermen.

Here we find poor, humble people in the service of the world’s luxury. Their catch is sturgeon, which means caviar for the kitchens of the world. They are friendly people whose industrious hands knit colorful shawls and wraps. We see artists trying to capture with brush what God has created. Their lives are all interwoven in the history of the river.

Someone among us says, “Bulgaria is small, but its spirit is large!” This spirit sparked rapid development of the country after the second world war. Industrialization began, factories were erected and highways were built, and good ones too.

Last Leg of the Trip

Rather than continuing all the way eastward to the Black Sea, the Danube cuts north, flowing through Romania toward the Soviet border. At Cernavoda man has built the longest bridge over the river. The ship passes on to the city of Galati, where we turn east toward the Black Sea.

Soon we note that the river conquers the land and continues to fan out into a network of veins and capillaries. It is the delta! The thousand-square-mile delta area is inhabited by people in mud huts, by frogs, fish, woodcocks, sea gulls and storks that instinctively take over possession of chimneys. And we see a star, the red Soviet star, as a reminder that the Kremlin controls the delta.

We leave the ship to see more and reflect upon what we have seen. We have experienced the pulsating life of bustling cities and the simple country life of amiable peasants. The river has carried us not only across national boundaries, but also through the centuries. No, the Danube has not disappointed us.

This river, as it were, speaks seven languages, possesses citizenship in eight countries and simultaneously feeds the Bulgarian peasant and the Parisian millionaire. It plays an important role in the life of the London commercialist and the Hungarian horse raiser. It has impartially served in the armies of nomadic tribes and world powers. But it has also inspired a man to write beautiful music, danced to around the world: The Blue Danube.

[Map on page 9]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

GERMANY

CZECHOSLOVAKIA

AUSTRIA

HUNGARY

ROMANIA

YUGOSLAVIA

BULGARIA

Black Sea

Adriatic Sea

Mediterranean Sea

[Picture on page 10]

The Danube as it winds its way through Austria

Is Your Doctor Afraid of You?

HOW often patients have expressed fear or anxiety about going to the doctor’s office! It now appears, however, that the situation may be reversed.

Recently a Senate Subcommittee on Executive Reorganization finished a two-year study on the medical malpractice problem in the United States. According to the Medical Tribune of December 1, 1969, the report noted: “The rising number of malpractice suits is forcing physicians to practice what they call ‘defensive medicine,’ viewing each patient as a potential malpractice claimant.”

Fear of a lawsuit is causing overly cautious physicians to order excessive diagnostic procedures, or they avoid a needed test because it entails risk. Thus, patient care and costs often are affected.

The American Medical News stated that “higher judgments and settlements are increasing the cost of physicians’ insurance premiums, which are being passed on to patients, health insurance companies and federal medical programs in the form of higher fees.” Thus, according to the Senate subcommittee, a federal role seems imminent.

Increasing Number of Claims

The first reported medical malpractice claim in the United States was made in 1794. So malpractice suits are not new, but they certainly are rapidly increasing in number. Between 1930 and 1940 malpractice claims reportedly increased a thousand percent! The rise has continued to skyrocket.

In its May 10, 1958, issue the Journal of the American Medical Association said that a claim had been made against one out of seven of its living members at some time during his career. It was reported at about the same time that in New York and Washington, D.C., one out of every five doctors had been sued for malpractice, and that in California the number was one in every four.

Does it appear that this trend will change? No; for last year it was reported that at least one doctor in five in the United States could expect a claim to be filed against him sometime before the end of his career. And it was said that it might out to be one in four.

Of course, many of these are nuisance suits, brought on flimsy grounds in hope of a quick settlement. It is estimated that only one out of every 100 malpractice suits reaches an appellate court. Since there were 266 malpractice cases decided by appellate courts in the United States from January 1, 1946, through June 1956, this indicates there may have been some 26,000 suits filed during the same period.

Judgments Against Medical Profession

Judgments against the medical profession have often been very expensive because they involve two of the patient’s most precious possessions—his health and his life. In one case a spinal anesthetic given to a woman caused respiratory difficulties, and cardiac arrest (heart standstill), resulting in irreversible brain damage. A judgment was brought for $317,000 in a New York court.

In New Jersey a jury awarded the parents of a five-year-old child $250,000 because of improper care given at the time of the child’s birth. It was held that negligence resulted in the little girl’s loss of sensory powers, and her inability to sit up and feed herself.

In another case a doctor’s wife was given a general anesthetic, even though she had eaten a full meal and a midnight snack within six hours of the onset of labor. When she vomited and then choked on the vomit, doctors failed to inject a muscle relaxant or perform a tracheotomy, which would have permitted her to get oxygen. Thus she suffered irreversible brain damage. The jury verdict was for $416,000.

Blood transfusions have figured in a number of malpractice suits. In a New York case a nurse and intern gave a patient a blood transfusion that had been ordered for someone else. Even when the patient told them the blood was not meant for her, they gave it anyway. The hospital was held liable.

In a similar case the plaintiff sued an anesthetist, a surgeon and a hospital for pain, suffering and death of a surgery patient to whom blood intended for another person was administered. A jury verdict was rendered against all three defendants jointly for $130,000.

Transfusion of incompatible blood has also been involved in several judgments. One for $150,000 was awarded to a naval officer for the death of his wife. In another case, the plaintiff and her husband were awarded $50,000. She had suffered a hemolytic transfusion reaction from incompatible blood.

The record award thus far was made by a Florida appeals court—for $1,500,000! The suit was brought on behalf of a thirty-five-year-old mother of three minor children who allegedly suffered severe iatrogenic (doctor-induced) brain damage. The action was based on the accusation that drugs were administered in excessive strength and amounts “contrary to proper and accepted medical practice.”

But this is not the only million-dollar-plus award that the courts have made. There have been at least four of them during a two-year period.

One might think that the patient or his family receives the major part of these huge awards. But this is not so. One insurance company told the Senate subcommittee that only 30 percent of the settlement funds actually goes to the patient. On the other hand, 15 percent goes to the patient’s attorney, and 55 percent is taken by defense attorney fees and defense investigation costs.

Another company said that 38 percent of each claim goes to the patient, 35 percent goes to the patient’s attorney and 27 percent is taken by defense attorney fees and investigation costs. Thus the report found that the major part of the expenses of malpractice actions goes to the attorneys and their assistants.

The Effects of the Judgments

The effects of the many judgments against the medical profession have been diverse. On one hand, they have apparently served a good purpose. As Dr. Cyril Wecht, president of the American College of Legal Medicine, observed: “There is no question in my mind that some of the severe malpractice verdicts have led to beneficial changes in medical techniques or facilities.”

Citing some examples, Dr. Wecht explained: “In the OR [operating room], negligence suits have produced more effective labeling on gas tanks and medications, and double or triple checks on the sponge and instrument counts. When I was an intern, the anesthesiologist, if present, was treated as a flunky; the all-powerful surgeon was in command. Now, a hospital is well advised to let the anesthesiologists run their part of the show. This is a blessed event. It is better for medicine and better for the patient.”

However, on the other hand, the judgments have also produced bad effects. They have caused many doctors to fear a lawsuit from their patients. And some feel that this adversely affects their ability to serve their patients properly.

Claims Dr. John B. Dillion, chief of the division of anesthesiology at the UCLA School of Medicine: “The ability of the physician to diagnose and treat is not only threatened, but to a degree may be controlled by the constant incubus of a lawsuit.” So he believes: “It is essential for the public good that the profession seek relief.”

Insurance Increases

An obvious bad effect of the many judgments against the medical profession has been a rapid increase in doctors’ insurance rates. Fifteen or twenty years ago, malpractice insurance was a negligible part of their professional budget. But this is no longer the case, as more patients sue and juries give higher awards.

In southern California, 11,000 doctors are receiving, on the average, a 100-percent increase in their malpractice premiums. The annual premium for more than 7,000 physicians in Los Angeles County reportedly is about $5,000. But for those who have been the target of past claims, the rates are much higher, up to $16,000 apiece annually! Already, according to the Senate subcommittee, 350 physicians in California have quit medical practice because of rising insurance rates.

But the problem is by no means limited to California. Across the country about 90,000 other physicians reportedly will have rate boosts of from 10 to 100 percent this year. About 5,000 osteopaths are reportedly in for 150-percent increases. And some doctors in New York have agreed to rates from three to five times normal in order to stay in practice.

Some doctors are finding it difficult to obtain insurance coverage—at any price. Certain insurance companies have entirely ceased handling malpractice premiums, leaving doctors in some areas stranded. Not only older doctors, but younger ones too are having trouble in obtaining coverage. In fact, Senator Abraham Ribicoff remarked: “The rising cost of malpractice insurance premiums will make it very difficult for young doctors to begin practicing or to continue in practice.”

Why So Many Malpractice Suits?

Why has this become such a monumental problem? Why has there been such an avalanche of malpractice claims in recent years?

There are a number of reasons. A fundamental one is that the American community today is prone to sue for wrongs done to its members. Selfishness and greed have increased. And people are inclined to look for material awards, wherever these might be found.

This is not to say that the medical profession is not frequently at fault. It is. Dr. Ralph Gampell, a physician and practicing attorney, told a California State Senate judiciary subcommittee that most malpractice suits are justified. However, he observed that they could be greatly reduced if “incompetent doctors were disciplined or removed from practice.”

So a contributing factor to the problem is the shortage of qualified physicians. Dr. Paul R. Hawley, who served as Director of the American College of Surgeons, said: “It is reliably estimated that one half of the surgical operations in the United States are performed by doctors who are untrained or inadequately trained to undertake surgery.”

But no doubt an even more important factor is the breakdown in the physician-patient relationship. Care by the family physician has generally diminished. Now much of the patient care is in the hands of specialists and surgeons whom the patient rarely sees. There is little opportunity, and too often little inclination, to build up a warm acquaintanceship.

Also, physicians frequently take a superior attitude toward their patients and this causes resentment. Observing this, Howard L. Oleck, Professor of Law, Cleveland State University, wrote in the Medical World News of December 5, 1969:

“I would suggest to my friends in the medical profession that there would be much less malpractice litigation if physicians generally would stop acting as though they are somehow the anointed ones of God and would admit that they are just human beings doing the best they can. It is the sanctimonious attitude of many physicians, fundamentally, that inspires most malpractice suits when bad results to the patient occur.”

Improving Doctor-Patient Relations

Most people still appreciate a friendly doctor who will take a few moments to discuss their problem and what might be expected with a certain medical treatment or operative procedure. They do not consider it belittling for a doctor to call in a consultant in a given case. In fact, they often point to this act as further evidence of the competence of their physician. The matter of fees might also be discussed, preferably in advance of treatment so that there will be a mutual understanding.

The public has a responsibility too. It should use discretion when listening to reports about new medicines or seemingly miraculous operative procedures. A case at hand is the heart-transplant procedure. But in all fairness to the medical profession, it should be noted that many informed physicians warned against optimism with regard to this operation.

It is the duty of the physician to exhaust all reasonable methods of securing a diagnosis and to perform to the best of his ability. If he manifests honesty, conscientiousness, friendliness and integrity he will almost invariably receive the high esteem of his patients. On the other hand, it is in the best interests of patients to assist the doctor in his endeavor to help them.

In the final analysis, integrity, honesty, fairness, moral uprightness, and love of fellowman are needed by all involved.

On Delicate Wings Through Life

By “Awake!” correspondent in Brazil

IMAGINE, if you can, a delicate display of colors fluttering from blossom to blossom. The rays of sunlight play on its silky blue wings as it settles on a large hibiscus flower. Nearby you might overhear a discussion such as this:

“What does it do on the flowers?” young Mary asks.

“Watch closely and you will see,” replies Uncle Will.

While still hovering just above another blossom, the insect unrolls its slender coiled tongue, lowering it deep into the nectar container of the blossom.

“Why, its tongue is just like a tiny hose,” exclaims John.

But not really. It is split in half. Located between the two bulging eyes, it is coiled like a watch spring when at rest, but extends straight out when in use. The suction, incidentally, is performed by a pump much like a bellows.

As you watch this dazzling winged jewel, the Brazilian Blue, various others appear on the scene, all busy refueling. Young John runs after one and soon comes back, holding it by the wings.

“Now your hands will be full of fine ‘dust,’ John. Look here! I brought along this pocket microscope. Put some of the ‘dust’ from your fingertips on the slide. Do you see the shape of the particles of ‘dust’? They are actually minute scales. In different species the shape of these scales varies. Often they are arranged in regular rows on the wings.

“Now you know,” Uncle Will continues, “why butterflies and moths get the scientific name, Lepidoptera—a word derived from Greek words, lepis (scale) and pteron (wing), that is, ‘scaled wings.’”

“What wonderful blue!” exclaims John.

“And so fragile!” adds Mary.

“Well, actually, on both counts appearances are deceiving,” explains Uncle Will. “Seen under the microscope, the color is plain brown, but the transparent scales on top interfere with the light rays in such a way as to make the color appear different. And these creatures are not really as fragile as one might imagine. The legs are tubular parts of the skin, which serves too as skeleton, affording protection and resistance. Also, within the body, composed of head, chest and abdomen, there are a heart and a stomach.”

An Amazing Transformation

“Tell us, Uncle, how butterflies are born,” Mary begs.

“Well, little one, first the male and female butterflies must get together. For this purpose the males are equipped with a pair of antennae made up of many tiny segments, and with this they can detect the presence of a female at great distances, even several miles away. Perhaps odor is the secret, for the male always has his antennae turned to the wind.

“When the male approaches the female of his choice, it is said that he displays all his colors in a kind of fluttering dance. After fertilization the female secretes some substance with which she covers herself in order to repel any other male. Then she lays her eggs, perhaps as many as a thousand. Having achieved her purpose in life, she refuses to eat, lives only a few days and then dies. The male, too, soon dies.”

“Then what happens, Uncle?”

“The eggs hatch, and out come caterpillars, hungry caterpillars, Mary. This usually occurs eight to ten days after the eggs are laid. And they don’t need mother to feed them, for they come equipped with strong jaws and eight to ten eyes with which to search for food. Juicy green leaves are their bill of fare. Observers once noted that during a fifty-two-day period one caterpillar devoured 120 leaves, drank fifteen grams of water, and grew to 86,000 times its weight at birth!

“Caterpillars are quite vulnerable to enemies,” continues Uncle Will, “so they have to watch out. Some feed only at nighttime; others on the underside of leaves; still others hide in webs or tubular retreats made of twisted leaves. Others have the most amazing ability to camouflage. The reflection of light from their immediate environment produces a nervous response, resulting in a change in the color. For example, the larvae of the red underwing moth, when subjected to green surroundings, become bluish green, and in a dark-colored background they become bluish gray.”

“What finally happens to the caterpillar?” John asks.

“Well, one day, it instinctively retires to a hiding place, spins out some silky threads into a cocoon, and enters into its last stage, the chrysalis—something that looks like a horny, cylinder-shaped wrapping. This stage can last from one week to several years. Inside the cylinder a real miracle takes place, the remaking of the body of the caterpillar into another creature. Then, one warm day, the tight shell bursts open, and what do you suppose emerges?”

“I know, I know,” bursts out Mary. “A butterfly!”

“That’s right, a butterfly or a moth, whatever family the egg belonged to. But imagine! No longer a slimy caterpillar, but a breathtakingly beautiful, winged creature—and perhaps a very colorful one. It spreads its wings, injects into them a fluid from its inner body, and when the wings dry it is ready for its maiden flight.”

Earth-wide Distribution

“Are there many kinds of butterflies?”

“Well, Mary, counting butterflies and moths, at 80,000 species have been described, and it is believed that some 120,000 species exist. Brazil is understood to have the greatest number. One naturalist observed in the Amazon region seven hundred in the space of just an hour.”

“So can they be seen in all parts of the world?” queries John.

“Their range is practically the same as for flowering plants. Only the very cold regions such as around the poles are avoided. At least forty-six species extend within the Arctic Circle. But no resident butterfly is known in Iceland. The most beautiful ones live in the tropics.

“Fossil butterflies have been found, too,” notes Uncle Will, “such as those embedded in Baltic amber. Yet such ancient samples exhibit no material difference from those fluttering around today. There are no traces of development over the thousands of years. They were evidently made by God according to their kind on the fifth creative day, to which the Bible refers.”—Gen. 1:20-23.

Curious Wanderers

“But Uncle, do butterflies travel far?” “Yes, John. Here again, though, there are wide variations. Most species live but a few days or weeks and stay in one locality. Others live for months, and fly thousands of miles either alone or in large groups. Take the monarch butterfly, for instance. In summer it is common in northern latitudes as far north as Hudson Bay. It winters in California or Mexico, each successive generation returning to the same locations. In spring this butterfly has a new lease of life and takes to the air for the long trip north again. By June it arrives there, lays its eggs and dies.”

“How are they able to migrate to the same locations, Uncle?”

“God gave them that ability, Mary. It has been suggested that scent plays an important role here. Each hind wing of the male monarch has a dark spot, and the scales on this spot are black and hollow. They give off a perfume faintly resembling that of the honeysuckle. It is used mainly in connection with mating, but it could be that they also leave a scent trail behind when traveling in large masses.

“Of course, not all species fly in the same direction. In Africa, masses of butterflies headed in different directions have been observed meeting and crossing paths, so to speak. But each kind keeps to its own course. Not even a rainstorm deflects them. And some of their swarms are huge. One band was observed in Europe that was forty miles wide and took three days to pass over a given spot at a speed of six miles per hour. The number in the swarm was estimated to be about three billion.” “Is that their usual speed?”

“Not necessarily, John. Research into the matter has produced some really astonishing facts. Butterflies observed in England were clocked at forty-two kilometers per hour. One, followed by a helicopter, flew 220 kilometers in 4 hours 42 minutes. And these insects do not burn up anywhere near the fuel used by man’s flying machines. The helicopter consumes 4 to 5 percent of its weight in fuel in a one-hour flight; an airplane uses 12 percent. But the butterfly in the same time uses only six-tenths of one percent of its weight.”

Other Oddities

“How big do they get Uncle,” Mary asks.

“There are some really big ones. The female Troides Alexandre of New Guinea, for example, is ten to twelve inches across. The Ornithoptera Cassandra of North Queensland, Australia, is six and a half inches, and another species in Borneo is seven inches across the open wings.

“Then, too,” continues Uncle Will, “there are the ‘skunks’ of the butterfly world. These give off an obnoxious odor to ward off enemies—mainly birds. Also, their wing designs are often well calculated to provide camouflage. In one type the wings look like the eyes of an owl; another looks like a dry old leaf; yet another has a design similar to the number 80 or 88 on the underside of its wings.”

“So what is the difference between moths and butterflies?”

“Generally speaking, John, butterflies fly by day, moths at night. But there are exceptions. Indeed, you have probably seen moths flying around in daylight. When at rest the butterfly usually keeps its wings, the front ones at least, closed and vertically erect. The moth leaves its front wings open, obliquely inclined. And then, too, moths do not as a rule sport such vivid colors as do butterflies.”

“One more thing, Uncle. Are butterflies useful for anything?”

“Yes, they are, Mary. In addition to being a delight to the eyes of appreciative people, they also perform an important function in behalf of plants. They carry pollen from one flower to another, in this way making possible the reproduction of the plants. Also, you have heard of the silkworms. They, too, become moths, but in the larva stage they spin cocoons of pure silk, which man uses for his own purposes. But now, children, the sun is going down and it is time to be on our way.”

“Thank you, Uncle,” says John, “for telling us all about the lepi . . . what was that again?”

“Lepidoptera. Remember? Scaled wings.”

Did You Know that It May Be Illegal?

CHAIN letters—have you heard of them? In many countries individuals have participated in sending letters of request that are generally referred to as “chain letters.” Some persons view sharing in “chain letters” as an innocent pastime. But did you know that this may well be an illegal activity?

Usually someone receives an unsolicited letter that reads something like this recent one: ‘Below are listed four names. Within four days send $1.00 [or a gift or other item] to the first name on the list. Make four copies of this letter, eliminating the first name and putting your name last. Within twenty days you will receive $250.00 in bills. Do not break the chain.’ Often the letters contain some threat of tragedy for the recipient if he should break the chain.

This procedure is obviously contrary to Christian principles. Jesus stressed loving one’s neighbor and doing to others what you would want them to do to you. (Matt. 7:12; 22:39) A Christian cannot imagine Jesus forcing an unwanted and unnecessary obligation on his acquaintances and threatening harm or loss if they did not cooperate.

But another point of interest is that in some places “chain letters” are illegal. In the United States Government pamphlet Mail Fraud we read: “The Post Office Department warns against participation in chain-letter schemes. Any chain-letter that requires payment of anything of value, even if it is only a handkerchief or a dish towel, is illegal under the Federal lottery statute. . . . Many persons do not realize that in addition to violating the lottery law, chain-letters are also fraudulent in that they seem to promise the possibility of large returns for a small investment. A few persons starting the scheme may receive more than they put in. The great majority of participants receive nothing at all.”

With good reason, then, many persons who have received “chain letters” have simply thrown them into the garbage, not wanting to share in unchristian and possibly illegal activities.

Christendom’s Clergy and Morals

THE clergy’s views on adultery and fornication often appear in the newspapers. Their expressions show that ever-increasing numbers of them condone that which Jehovah God emphatically condemns. (1 Cor. 6:9, 10) Do you uphold the Bible’s standard of morality? Does your church? The following experiences illustrate what some persons have done when confronted with the facts:

An elderly man in England writes: “My wife and I tried various denominations, hoping to find a religion that would bring us closer to God. None gave us the spiritual food and strength we needed. Finally, we invited a Church of England clergyman to our home with the thought of going to his church.

“To our disgust and surprise he did not condemn present-day sinning, blasphemy, adultery and trial marriages. He said blasphemy was a present-day form of expression and not to worry about it. As to unmarried couples sharing the same bed, his reply was, ‘Well, if they do not see things our way, then we must be understanding and see things their way.’ In other words, agree with their sinful conduct or condone it.

“During this time, two witnesses of Jehovah had been calling on us. So after dispatching the clergyman promptly, my wife declared, ‘I know where our religion lies. It is with Jehovah’s witnesses.’ And now we too are Jehovah’s witnesses because they respect God’s high moral standards outlined in the Bible.”

An Illinois woman writes: “We were active members of the Methodist church. My husband served twice as president of the Sunday-school class. He was on the official church board and a trustee. I was a Sunday-school teacher for two years.

“When Jehovah’s witnesses called on us, I became very interested in their message about God’s Kingdom promises. I had no intentions of becoming one of them, but I was very interested in the Bible, and I wanted to know more about it. So I accepted their offer to study it with me. After a few months of study, we realized that we had learned more about the Bible than we had in all our years in the Methodist church.

“We decided to get out of false religion as fast as we could. Two things helped us to do this. One was that one of the Methodist Sunday-school books actually taught evolution, which directly contradicted the creation account in Genesis. The second was that a Methodist minister from Morton, Illinois, gave a sermon on the advantages of adultery. He has since written a book advocating it. He was not excommunicated but continued in good standing with the Methodist church. Now we attend the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses regularly and share what we are learning with others.”

From Canada another woman writes: “I attended the United Church for nineteen years. Often I asked my minister and others about the meaning of Revelation, but no one could explain it. When Jehovah’s witnesses called, I asked the woman calling to explain portions of Revelation. I was overjoyed to hear her answers to questions that had bothered me for eleven years.

“At this time the United Church had brought out its new curriculum. In the teacher’s guide the Bible was discredited as containing myths. It denied the virgin birth of Jesus Christ and downgraded the first eleven chapters of Genesis.

“The minister in the church said that one could engage in premarital sex as long as it did not bother one’s conscience. One Sunday-school teacher left her husband, and even though she was living with another man she was welcomed with open arms at the church.

“After reading in the Watchtower magazine of the need to abandon false religion, I no longer felt comfortable in the church. So for two months during the summer I made a deep, personal study of the Bible with the aid of one of the Watch Tower publications.

“When I returned to church that fall I felt like an outsider. I was asked to teach the new curriculum, but my conscience would not allow me to do this. I made my decision to leave the church for good. I told the minister that I could not accept the church’s teaching and that I was leaving. He told me not to go to another church because what I found in his church I would find in all churches.

“Today I am enjoying the wonderful spiritual food as served in the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I dedicated my life to Jehovah and symbolized it by water baptism in January 1967.”

Pesticides—Blessing or Curse?

EACH year the land and crops of many nations are drenched with millions of pounds of poisonous chemicals. Chemical pesticides are used to kill unwanted insects, rodents and fungi. Chemical poisons are also used to kill weeds and defoliate plants.

The degree to which chemical poisons are used in some areas was noted by the New York Times of December 26, 1969. Speaking of cotton farms in the state of Mississippi, it said:

“From March through November, the air is filled with chemicals to keep weeds from sprouting, and others to kill them if they do; with chemicals to kill boll weevils, boll worms and other insects; and finally, at harvest time, with a foul-smelling defoliant to take the leaves off the cotton plants. . . . Altogether, the chemicals are spread 10 to 20 times a season.”

Evidence Mounts

Yet, there were those who for many years warned against the trend of using more and more chemicals on crops and lands. They argued that harm was being done that could have serious long-term consequences.

Today, the evidence is mounting that pesticides and other poisons are doing what these persons said. In recent years the harsh consequences of the heavy use of pesticides have become evident. These poisons have proved to be killers of large numbers of birds and fish, rendering some species almost extinct.

It has also been found that some of the long-lasting pesticides such as DDT were finding their way into humans. Newsweek of January 26, 1970, stated: “American women carry in their breasts milk that has anywhere from three to ten times more of the pesticide DDT than the Federal government allows in dairy milk meant for human consumption.”

Thus, even government officials and scientists are worried now. Dr. Charles F. Wurster, biologist at the State University of New York, said: “The danger is no longer debatable; it’s established, scientific fact.” Another scientist who examined the evidence remarked: “I’m scared.”

Animal Life Affected

Chemical poisons are carried through the air when sprayed, or washed from the land into rivers and lakes, affecting the fish. In the Mississippi River, mosquito fish were found to contain so much poison that Dr. Denzel B. Ferguson of the Mississippi State University zoology department declared: “These fish are living bombs. Anything that comes along and eats them is just doomed.”

Last year the United States government seized 28,000 pounds of Lake Michigan salmon. It was contaminated with too much DDT and dieldrin. The salmon contained nearly four times as much pesticide as the allowable limit.

American birds such as the bald eagle, peregrine falcon and brown pelican are in danger of being wiped out. In the ocean off California, tiny marine plants and animals known as plankton absorb pesticides that have washed off from the land or have been carried to the ocean through the air. Fish eat the plankton and build up pesticides in their systems. Then, as pelicans eat the fish the pesticides build up in them. This has upset their intricate reproductive system. Now female pelicans lay eggs with such thin shells that the eggs crack and fall apart almost immediately. Eggs that may last a few days are so fragile that when the female sits on them, they break apart under her weight.

…

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Awake!, June 8, 1970