Prevent ear infections in your Bassett Hound

One of the distinctive features of a Basset Hound are his long, velvety ears. They help give him that appealing, mournful expression. However, although they are cute, those floppy ears have a negative side- they prevent air circulation and cause moisture retention within the dog's ear canal. The resulting warm, damp environment is ideal for the development of bacterial or yeast infections.

Keeping the dog's ears dry and clean is important. Routine ear cleaning for a Basset Hound is a preventive measure meant to keep those large, silky ears healthy.

Regular cleaning should be done two or three times a week. Assemble the necessary materials beforehand. You will need: cotton balls, cotton swabs, an ear-cleaning solution for dogs and a damp wash cloth.

Ear-cleaning solution may be purchased from your veterinarian or from a pet supply store. As an alternative, a mixture of half-and-half white vinegar and sterile water may be used. Both should be at room temperature when beginning the cleaning routine.

Proceed as follows:

(a) Wipe down the ear with a damp wash cloth or moistened towelette.

(b) Moisten a cotton ball and clean the crevices around the outer portion of the ear. A swab may be used to clean inside the wrinkles. Do NOT use the swab to probe down inside the ear. You may cause pain or actual damage.

(c) Gently pour enough solution into the ear to fill the canal.

(d) Hold the dog's ear up to prevent the solution from running out. Massage the base of the ear, on the outside, for 15-20 seconds, to enable the solution to loosen the normal dirt and wax build-up.

(e) The Basset Hound will naturally shake his head after a few seconds. This action will help dislodge any internal debris.

(f) Dry as much of the ear as you can reach with a cotton ball, but don't push the cotton down into the ear canal.

(g) Repeat the procedure with the other ear.

Sometimes, an infection will develop inside the dog's ear even when it has been well cared for. Left untreated, ear infections can lead to serious problems. Since your pet cannot tell you when his ear is painful or itchy, you must be alert for the following signs of discomfort:

* Frequent scratching or rubbing of one or both ears

* Shaking his head

* Tilting his head to one side

* Soreness around the ear area.

Additional signs which indicate a yeast infection in particular, are an unpleasant odor and a brown discharge noticeable inside the dog's ear.

When any or all of these symptoms appear, it is time for a visit to the veterinarian. Besides an infection, the problem might be an allergy, or a serious build-up of wax. Only the vet is qualified to accurately assess and treat these problems.

Your Basset Hound will give you many years of affection, pleasure and companionship. As the owner, it is your responsibility is to provide your dog with love, food, shelter, and veterinary care. With this breed in particular, ear care is an important component of a routine health-care regimen.

How to gain self-confidence

The Oxford English Dictionary defines confidence as "a positive feeling gained from a belief in your own ability to do things well", and "faith in someone or something" For most of us, confidence in self develops slowly. It is acquired as we experience repeated successes in a certain area. For example, after I have prepared dinner for many different guests over a period of months, and received enthusiastic compliments on my culinary skill, I begin to have confidence in my ability as a cook.

Developing confidence requires that our efforts be affirmed by other people, or at least one other person. If my husband likes my coffee, and often tells me so, I gain confidence in my ability to make a cup of coffee that he will always appreciate. If the large staff which comprise my department at work, frequently compliment the coffee I make, and compare it favorably to the brew at the neighborhood coffee shop, my confidence will grow by leaps and bounds. The more votes of confidence we receive on our ability in a certain area, the greater our confidence becomes.

It is important for every child to develop confidence in his ability in at least one area. Many children who are not outstanding in academics, will have another talent, such as artistic ability or sports competency. Wherever his aptitude lies, his knowledge of its existence is an important factor in the overall growth of a healthy character. When he has episodes of disappointment or failure, as we all do, he will think, "Well, I may not be much good at Math., but our team wouldn't have won the trophy, without me!"

You will also have confidence in other people. If your dentist repairs your teeth, and gives you a sparkling smile, over a period of years, you gain confidence in his skill and will confidently recommend him to friends and family. Many of these trusting relationships will develop during one's lifetime: with the doctor, hairdresser, clergy person, and others who give consistently satisfactory service. It is important to verbally acknowledge their skill and express appreciation, so that their self-confidence may grow and they will perform even more efficiently.

We also develop confidence in products or things which have given consistently good service over a period of time. For example, at this time when foreign-made toys have been found to be actually dangerous to children, how many parents have taken time to write a brief note of appreciation to American or Canadian toy-makers who have produced safe and durable playthings for years? If these manufacturers receive enough votes of confidence, they will show their appreciation by ensuring that our children have safe, reasonably-priced toys for years to come.

Self-confidence, then, is a valuable commodity. It gives us the assurance to continue to do what we do well, and thus enrich the lives of the people around us and society in general. Self-confidence develops as others express confidence in us.

In our turn, we are obligated to express the confidence we feel in others, including the manufacturers of quality products, so that their self-confidence may grow. In this way, a circle of success is established. A society consisting of reliable, self-confident individuals who interact favorably with one another, can only be advantageous for all of us.

You're never too old to write

You can become too old to do lots of things: get pregnant, dance the limbo, be an astronaut, or swim the English Channel, but, as long as you can carry on an intelligent conversation, you will never be too old to write. You may need a secretary to do the actual pencil pushing or typing, but the thoughts, the ideas, the conclusions drawn should be your very own.

In fact, it can be argued that the older the writer, the better and more insightful the literary material will be. The mature person has had many opportunities to experience, to observe, to compare the similarities and differences among people. Through a lifetime of participating in dialogue, they have become skilled at drawing accurate oral descriptions of personalities, surroundings and situations.

The older the author, the more conflicts or difficulties he has experienced himself, and the more often he has watched others struggle to overcome the rough spots in life. He has seen how challenging situations have been resolved. He has reflected on the outcomes. Were they satisfactory? Were the solutions arrived at effective or only partially so? What questions remain to be answered?

The older writer probably has at least a dozen plots for engrossing novels tucked away in his mind. All he need do is choose one, arrange the events in sequential order, change the names and locations to protect the innocent ( and himself from lawsuits), and flesh out the story with interesting details and graphic descriptive passages. There you have the ingredients for a best-seller, maybe even a series of novels, as you follow one of more characters through a series of dramatic life events.

For those who choose to write non-fiction, an older writer again has many advantages. He has years of experience in a profession or trade, the details of which may be interesting to others. He has participated in hobbies, volunteer activities, a particular religious group, fraternal orders, all of which arouse curiosity in some circles. Merely by living years in a particular country, participating in a culture, in a particular time period, provides the older writer a plethora of choices for his literary efforts.

I only started writing after retirement. I'm enjoying it immensely, especially since I've joined several online writing communities. I don't think I could have tackled writing in my younger years. I was too busy, I didn't have time to plan, to reflect, to make connections or corrections as I do now.

I hope the time never comes when I'm too old to write. If it does, I hope those around me will keep it a secret. Personally, I have no plans to stop at all; I'm just getting warmed up!

My city: St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.

I believe I live in the best location on the face of the globe. My city is St. Catharines, in the province of Ontario, in Canada. St. Catharines, known as the "Garden City" is situated on the eastern end of Lake Ontario, about fifteen miles from Niagara Falls and the border to the United States of America. It is home to about 130,000 people. This part of Ontario is often known as the "Banana Belt", because of our moderate climate, in comparison to the rest of Canada.

Our weather is varied enough to be interesting, but we have been spared severe events such as hurricanes and tornadoes. The summer months, June, July and August, are often very warm and humid, but we have several pools and the Lake Ontario waters in the north end of the city are sometimes open for swimming. Sunbathing and barbecues on the beach are enjoyable for some residents while others prefer to take to the water for boating and fishing. Spectacular sunset scenes over the lake, as seagulls swoop and glide around the picturesque lighthouse, are the stuff of which rich summer memories are made.

The Welland Canal, which forms St. Catharines' western boundary, is a favorite spot for tourists during the shipping season. They can watch cargo ships from around the world traverse the man-made waterway which joins Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.

Autumn, in our city, from September to November, is cool, comfortable and colorful. The leaves of many varieties of deciduous tress change to brilliant hues, then flutter to the ground. Gardens are resplendent with Fall flowers, and abundant harvests of fresh fruit and vegetables are offered for sale at the downtown Farmers' Market.

Annually, in this season, we celebrate the "Folk Arts Festival" during which the club members of different cultural societies host Open Houses. Visitors enjoy touring each one, sampling national dishes and admiring crafts, costumes, music and dancing from many different countries.

We also have an annual "Wine Festival" in September. Tourists, farmers, friends and neighbors gather for a week of festivities in Montebello Park, an expanse of green space in the downtown area. Tours are conducted to many lush vineyards around St. Cataharines, which produce world-class wines. A Wine King and Queen are chosen and they ride in regal splendor in the grand parade as it winds its way through the downtown streets, on the following Saturday.

There are also number of Fall Fairs in surrounding communities which showcase the fine agricultural products and prize-winning livestock which thrive in the green belt of Southern Ontario.

Winter in St. Catharines is cold with many snowy days. Mittens, hats, scarves, snow boots, and heavy coats are the order of the day. We have several arenas for ice skating, and a hockey team, the "Ice Dogs". You can make day trips to excellent skiing facilities in the Central Ontario, and the northern New York State regions if you wish, but for some of us, the winter season, from December to February, is time to cocoon and recharge our batteries.

The Christmas season is an exception, when office celebrations, private parties, and New Year's Eve bashes relieve the snowy, white calm of the winter months. During the month of December, most families decorate their houses with colorful lights and decorations. Many St. Catharines' streets resemble winter scenes from Fairyland.

With the month of March, Spring arrives and the weather gradually begins to warm up. The golfers prepare their clubs for the first game of the season on one of the fine courses in the area. On Easter, churches of all denominations are crowded with worshipers. In May, green grass and leaves reappear, and tulips and daffodils erupt in splashes of color heralding the approach of another summer season.

Spring also brings "Education Week" when schools host Open Houses and hold other special events for parents and the community. St. Catharines boasts many fine schools, high schools, Brock University and Niagara College, all of them excellent educational facilities. Our young people have every opportunity to receive the best possible education.

Larger universities, offering more diverse courses of study, are situated in Hamilton and Toronto, which are 40 and 80 miles away respectively, over the well-maintained surface of the Queen Elizabeth Highway.

Because of our proximity to the Great Lakes and efficient filtration facilities, St. Catharines enjoys an abundance of fresh, clean water. We also have nearby electrical power generation plants to supply us with dependable electricity. Our citizens are currently learning to cut back on the use of these resources, in the interests of ecology and economy.

Like many Ontario communities, St. Catharines needs more family physicians and specialists to serve the needs of its people, many of whom are in the retirement phase of their lives. However, a new state-of-the-art regional hospital and cancer treatment center are being constructed in the western end of the city. We hope that this modern facility, along with the many amenities the Niagara Region offers, will act as drawing cards for the medical professionals we need.

From the quieter, more settled area of St. Catharines, a quick jaunt down the highway will bring you to the lively tourist center of Niagara Falls, which provides all the stimulation and night life anyone could desire. With its natural grandeur, the casino which frequently hosts big name stars, its fine hotels, elegant dining establishments and visitors' attractions, it's the answer to many a tourist's prayer.

But for ordinary, everyday living, where you reside with your family in safety and comfort, with necessary resources and desirable amenities conveniently close at hand, I'll choose St. Catharines every time. As far as I can judge, it's the best place to live on the face of the globe.

Breafasts to burn calories

For everyone, but especially for those interested in losing weight, breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. It kick-starts your metabolism so you immediately start burning calories; your blood sugar level rises and you feel satisfied. You have energy to work steadily and productively through the morning and you are less likely to reach for high calorie snacks or to overeat at lunch and supper.

In the weight loss battle, it is important to choose breakfast fare wisely. Here are several suggestions for a diet-wise morning meals. An orange, or a glass of orange juice followed by one of the following:

- a serving of steel cut oatmeal topped with skim milk and sprinkled with berries and/or nuts

- a omelette with chopped onion,green peppers and mushroom slivers

- chopped nuts mixed into fat-free yoghurt

Finish the meal with a cup of coffee or tea with skim milk and sweetener if desired.

* A high fiber cereal will fill you up, yet be very low in fat. Oatmeal or bran are high in insoluble fiber. Steel cut oatmeal (also known as Irish oats) is the wisest choice because it's in whole grain form and takes longer to digest. It can be cooked the night before and heated in the micro wave. Oatmeal helps reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) and helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

* Skim milk is high in protein and low in calories. It supplies calcium, vitamins A, B, and D with no saturated fat. Milk has been called nature's nearly perfect food and the fat-free variety can be a real help for dieters.

* Citrus fruit. Fruit is loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. However, it must be eaten in reasonable amounts, because it also contains carbohydrates and fructose (natural sugar), which can sabotage a weight loss program if consumed in unlimited amounts.

* Vegetables, except for those which contain a lot of starch like potatoes, peas, and corn, have few calories and no fat. However, they contain essential minerals and vitamins that speed up the metabolism of the body.

* Eggs are packed with nutrients including protein, zinc, iron and vitamins A, D, E and B12, but contain just 85 calories each. There has been concern that the cholesterol in egg yolk might be damaging to cardiovascular health, but recent studies show that a healthy person can safely consume one egg daily.

* Yoghurt. The fat-free variety contains the all the nutrients of milk, is filling, and has been shown to promote loss of dangerous fat in the stomach area, rather than the loss of lean muscle mass. Three servings a day are recommended to those who wish to lose weight in a healthy manner.

* Water and water-rich foods help speed metabolism of the body and help burn fat. Water flushes out toxins and helps the body to stay healthy. Certain foods rich in water content help in the process of fat reduction: water melon, cantaloupe, cucumbers, papaya and Swiss chard.

Substituting high-calorie, processed food with some of the above healthy choices can result in weight loss success without a great amount of effort or will power. But remember, starting the day with a good breakfast is a necessity, and using some or all of the above suggestions will keep you feeling satisfied and on track all day.

The origin of the Olympic Games

The first Olympic Games were religious festivals. They were held every four years in honor of Zeus, the king of the Greek gods, on the plains of Olympia, a city-state in ancient Greece. Olympia was the well-known site of the temple of Zeus, which housed a twelve-meter-high statue of the god made of gold and ivory. This marvelous edifice was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

The ancient Greeks put great emphasis on physical fitness and intellectual ability. Gymnasiums, stadiums and training facilities were built by the city-states and many athletic and musical contests were held where both mind and body would be tested. The most prestigious of these were the Olympic Games. The winning athletes of the various events brought fame and honor to their home city and were sometimes even deified for outstanding athletic accomplishments. They were exempted from taxes and received free meals for the rest of their lives.

The first games were held in 776 B.C. and continued for nearly five centuries. There were strict rules to which entrants had to adhere. The games were open only to free Greek males. Slaves and non-Greeks could not compete, nor could any man who had committed a crime or stolen from a temple. Married women could not enter the Olympic stadium or attend the games, although young girls and the priestess of the goddess Demeter were welcomed.

The punishment for any woman found attending, was to be thrown off Mount Typaeum. Anyone attempting to corrupt a judge or an opponent was punished by whipping.

The Olympic Games were initially a one-day event, but by the fifth century B.C. they had been expanded to five days. The schedule was as follows:

-Day 1: a competition for trumpeters and heralds. The winners had the honor of sounding the start of all events and announcing the names of victors. Athletes and officials made sacrifices to their own particular patron gods.

-Day 2: boys' races, wrestling, boxing matches took place. The pankration, (a sport combining wrestling and boxing skills) for boys was also held.

-Day 3: this day was for the equestrian events and the pentathlon, a combination of five contests- jumping, running, javelin, discus and wrestling,

-Day 4: the day began with the sacrifice of 100 oxen to Zeus by the athletes, officials, priests and others. The ceremonies were followed by men's wrestling, boxing, running, and pankration events.

-Day 5: on the final day all the victors gathered in the Temple of Zeus wearing red headbands and carrying palm branches. A crown of wild olive leaves was placed on the head of each victor. Heralds announced the victors' names and their home city. Then a great feast was held in honor of the victorious athletes.

Because of the general dedication to physical fitness, many famous Greek citizens attended or even participated in the early Olympics: Socrates, Pythagoras, Plato, Aristotle, and Hippocrates were known to have been attendants.

The Olympic Truce ( in Greek, ekecheiria, literally the "holding of hands"), was in effect during each festival. It was an important aspect of the Olympics. It allowed travelers to attend the events in safety. It also cut down in the rivalry and disputes which regularly appeared between the city-states. When the warring parties gathered for the competitions, they often realized they had more in common with their adversaries than they had remembered, and breaches were healed.

While the truce was in force, legal disputes and the carrying out of death penalties were suspended. It also had a beneficial political function. Alliances were often formed and inter-state disagreements resolved. The Olympic Games helped maintain the peace between the city-states of Ancient Greece.

After Rome invaded Greece in 146 B.C., the Games began to decline. In 393 A.D., the Roman emperor Theodosius I, a Christian who considered the Olympics a pagan festival, abolished them.

The Olympic Games were revived and made international in 1896. The Winter Games were added in 1924. World Wars I and II forced cancellation of the Games in 1916, 1940 and 1944. They resumed in 1948 and have been held on a regular basis ever since.

 And so, a great and ancient tradition continues and develops. May it also continue to solve disputes, heal breeches, and promote brotherhood as it did during its origins in Ancient Greece.

Should the U.S. and Canada share a common currency?

I am certainly not an economist, or even a very skilled mathematician, but as an average Canadian citizen, I would welcome having a shared currency with the US. Our dollars are currently at par, so this might be an ideal time to take the step.

When my husband and I travel in the United States, it is a nuisance to have to exchange Canadian money for American. As soon as you get a few miles from the border, if you happen to get a few pennies mixed, the cashier will look at you oddly and remark, "We don't take any foreign money!" Now really, is this the way neighbors should interact?

The United States has a larger population and thus, a larger tax base, a more favorable climate, more scientists, a greater range and supply of technology, and a larger and better-equipped military force than Canada.

In the event of a third world war, our two countries would be thrown together as close allies in the joint defense of the North American continent. It would make sense to prepare for that eventuality, by at least sharing the same currency. In a time of crises, troops, weapons and supplies will need to cross the border quickly and efficiently. There will be no time to stop and figure out the current exchange rate.

Canada has a vast expanse of unsettled land in its northern regions. The climate is harsh now for many months of the year. With global warming, that may change. Canada also has a vast number of  natural resources but the government often lacks the technology, the finances, and the manpower to garner and develop them. The United States could supply all these, and the two countries could share the profits. A common currency would be facilitate this mutually-beneficial arrangement much more readily.

For many years, the Canadian dollar has been weak, compared to the American dollar. That has given Canada a slight advantage when it comes to foreign trade. Now that the dollars are at par, many industries are complaining that they will have trouble competing with the US. In my opinion, that's just too bad. Maybe it's time they stopped whining and brought their quality and production methods up to the level of the competition. If they can't or won't do that, they deserve to lose money.

The countries in Europe have adopted a common currency, and it seems to be working well for them. It may be time for the countries of  North America to take a similar action.

Since the dollars have reached parity, cross-border shopping has increased tremendously. It is too easy for unscrupulous merchants to deduct an extra penny or two, saying the exchange rate has increased. Shoppers can't possibly keep up with every little fluctuation, and that fact is well-known to those who wish to exploit them.

When my husband and I travel, once we pass customs, it is easy to forget that we're in a different country. Our people are similar in language, traditions, and culture. Sharing a common currency would seem to be only a natural progression of our common heritage. It would be extending the concept of neighborliness one more step, and that can't be a bad thing.

Is the flu vaccine effective?

It's that time of year again. The wisest among us will make an effort to get the best protection medical science has to offer against the flu virus.

The composition of the flu vaccine differs from one year to the next. It is designed to protect against the specific viruses expected to be in circulation for the current year. The vaccine should be administered in the Fall, before the cold weather and flu season begin. It takes about two weeks before the expected immunity becomes fully effective.

No one wants to suffer through a case of the flu, so getting the vaccine is a wise precaution for everyone. It is especially important for the following groups:

* Children between 6 months and 19 years

* Pregnant women

* Anyone 50 years or older

* Anyone with a chronic medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, or heart, kidney or lung disease

* Anyone with a weakened immune system, from HIV, medications, or other causes

* Residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities

* School personnel, health care workers and child care workers.

The effectiveness of the vaccine varies with age. For healthy people below the age 65, the flu shot is 70% to 90% effective. When a vaccinated person does get the flu, he'll get a much milder form, with decreased risk of complications.

For adults over 65 who live at home, the flu shot is 30% to 70% effective in preventing hospitalization from the flu or from pneumonia.

For nursing home residents, the shot is 50%-60% effective in preventing hospitalization and pneumonia, and 80% effective in preventing death from influenza.

The vaccine is not as effective for older people, because they produce fewer antibodies in response to the virus. Still, it is much better than no protection at all. Of vital importance, is the fact that the vaccine reduces the risk of complications such as pneumonia, heart attack, stroke and even death for older flu patients.

There are some people who should not get a flu shot. Among them are:

* Anyone who had an allergic reaction to the vaccine in the past

* Anyone allergic to chicken eggs

* Anyone who developed Guillain-Barre syndrome after a past shot. This occurs about once in a million cases, and the patients usually recover.

* Anyone with a fever. Wait until your temperature returns to normal.

The flu vaccine is also available in the form of a nasal mist, but it is less effect than the shot.

It is necessary to have a new flu shot every year, because the virus mutates easily, and new viruses often enter our hemishere from different lands around the globe.

The vaccine is usually given in the arm. The liquid in the healthcare worker's syringe contains dead viruses, so it can't possibly make you sick. Your body manufactures antibodies to these viruses, and when you're exposed to an actual, live flu virus, these antibodies should be able to fight it off.

The flu vaccine is a gift from medical science to the people of our generation. It can save a person from being incapacitated, or worse from a miserable case of influenza. It is easy, fast and inexpensive to receive. There are virtually no side effects.

Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale, the inspiration and guiding force behind the nursing profession of today, was born in Italy on May 12th., 1820. She was the daughter of a wealthy English landowner, William Nightingale. She spent most of her early years in Derbyshire, England. Having no sons, Florence's father treated her as his friend and companion and gave her an excellent, thorough classical education.

From 1837 to 1839, Florence and her parents travelled in Europe, where she witnessed many incidences of poverty, sickness and suffering. During this period, she became interested in nursing and insisted on visiting hospitals whenever she could, as the family continued its travels.

After returning home, Florence refused the attentions of several suitors. At age 25, she informed her parents she wanted to become a nurse. They were completely opposed to her plan because, at that time, nursing was considered an unattractive, menial occupation, performed by untrained, lower-class personnel.

However, her resolve to be a nurse was strengthened by Elizabeth Blackwell, whom she met at a hospital in London. Miss Blackwell, having overcome a great deal of prejudice, was the first woman to be qualified as a doctor in the United States. She encouraged Florence to pursue her dream.

In 1851, Florence's father finally gave his permission for her to train as a nurse. Now 31, she studied for two years at the Institute of Protestant Deaconesses in Kaiserwerth, Germany. When her training was finished, she was appointed resident lady superintendent of a hospital for invalid women in Harley Street, London.

In 1853, Britain became involved in the Crimean War. Nightingale volunteered her services and was eventually given permission to take a group of 38 nurses to Turkey. Arriving at the army hospital in Scutari, she found the conditions appalling.

The staff lacked supplies, the wounded soldiers were filthy, and diseases such as typhus, cholera and dysentery ran rampant. Actual war wounds accounted for only one death in six. Under Florence's direction, efficient nursing procedures were established, and strict standards for cleanliness were imposed. The death rate dropped significantly. Florence worked in her hospital until the war ended.

In 1856, she returned to England and was greeted as a national heroine. She was dubbed "the angel of the Crimea". In honour of the many, long nights she had patrolled dark hospital aisles, lamp in hand, to check on her patients, she became known as "the lady with the lamp".

 Florence immediately began to reorganize the army medical service in England. She helped hospitals arrange for better ventilation and drainage systems. She oversaw the hiring of competent, trained orderlies.

She introduced a system of precise record keeping, and published two books to publicize her reforms: "Notes on Hospitals" (1859) and "Notes on Nursing" (1860). The latter was the first known textbook for nurses and was translated into many languages.

In honour of her service in the Crimea, money was raised to build the Nightingale School and Home for Nurses at St. Thomas' Hospital. The graduates from her school soon opened nursing schools in other hospitals, and thus, Florence's effective new method of training nurses spread rapidly. Thanks to her influence, nursing became recognized as the respected medical profession it is today.

During her later years, Florence's advice was continually sought on matters concerning everything from designs for hospital construction to policies of public health. Besides receiving many honours from foreign governments, she became the first woman to receive the British Order of Merit in 1907.

Florence suffered poor health in her later years. In 1895, she became blind. Soon after, she lost the use of other faculties and needed full-time nursing care. She lived as a complete invalid in London until her death in 1910.

Florence expressed her deep conviction about the wide scope of responsibilities a nurse should properly assume:

" I use the word nursing for want of a better. It has been limited to signify little more than the administration of medicines and the application of poultices. It ought to signify the proper use of fresh air, light, warmth, cleanliness, quiet, and the proper selection and administration of diet all at the least expense of vital power to the patient." Notes on Nursing (1860)

Miss Nightingale was a great lady who practiced what she preached. Patients since her time, who require hospital care, have reason to remember her with gratitude.

Beware the banshee

The Banshee mournful wails
In the midst of the silent, lonely, lonely night,
Plaining, she sings the song of death.                                            (Old Irish poem)

The banshee tradition occurs throughout Ireland and nearby islands. The Gaelic term used most frequently to describe the banshee is the "bean-sidhe" (a female dweller of a sidhe, or fairy mound).

Originally the banshee would appear for only six important Irish families: the O'Neills, the O'Briens, the O'Connors, the O'Learys, the O'Gradys and the Kavanaghs. However, time and intermarriage has extended the list to a considerable length.

The banshee, when spied upon, will take on one of several forms: a young woman, a stately matron or a ragged old hag. She wears a grey, hooded cloak or a shroud similar to the garment of someone prepared for burial. Her long, fair hair is tangled and she has been seen combing it with a shiny silver comb.

Irish children are warned that, if they ever see a beautiful silver comb lying on the ground, they must never pick it up. It has been placed there by banshees to lure unsuspecting humans. Anyone who picks it up will be spirited away.

In Scottish legend, the banshee may appear as a washerwoman and is seen near a stream or river, apparently washing the bloodstained clothes of the one about to die.

The most distinctive feature of a banshee is her cry. Legend has it that she will wail around a house if someone in the family is about to die. The first night, only the one to die hears a series of low moans. They are warnings to get one's affairs in order.

The second night the family will hear her howling for an hour or more around midnight.

The third night the banshee comes and shrieks, with keening screeches that will break glass. Everyone in the vicinity knows that a death will occur that night. It is said that a banshee's wails will cause its hearers to break out in cold sweats and experience a great sense of fear.

It is possible that the legend of the banshee arose from a mixture of traditional Irish funeral customs and their belief in the supernatural. When a citizen in an Irish village died, a woman would sing or "keen" at the funeral. Music in those days was often connected to spirits or fairies. Possibly, the ritual and the superstition merged to create the legend of the banshee.

The knowledge of these mythical creatures survives to this day, along with that of fairies and leprechauns, although few will admit to having any personal experience with these supernatural entities.

Gaelic oral traditions were passed down for centuries, and many were written down only in the last five hundred years, so there are many versions of tales and legends about fairies, banshees, leprechauns and other Irish sprites.

It's been suggested that the banshees emigrated with their chosen families: the O'Neills, the O'Briens, the O'Connors, the O'Learys, the O'Gradys and the Kavanaghs, their offspring and their relatives.

Just because you no longer live in the ancestral homeland, is no guarantee you'll never be visited by a banshee. Now, at least you'll know the message they've come to convey.