The Secret Murder of Joy: An Ecofeministic Study on Alice Walker’s Possessing the Secret of Joy

Throughout the history of evolution of humankind, there has been disparity and discrimination. Diversity in nature and its creation has always been upheld through this discrepancy that exists in the society. Ecofeminism essentially is an amalgam of the feminist and ecology movements, the former centring on the concern for women and the latter on nature. It emphasizes the relationship between human beings and nature, since it stresses that the human being has an organic connection with nature. The focus of this research paper is to explore the status of Black Women through an Ecofeministic lens as portrayed in Alice Walker’s possessing the Secret of Joy. Walker launches an uncompromising attack on the plain sexist culturalism of female genital mutilation where the female body is subjected to disfigurement on account of patriarchal ideologies. As a way of opposing colonial Imperialism, Tashi, the protagonist of the fiction goes under the knife and Walker explicitly parallels the subjugation of native black women and nature through the label called culture by the androcentric society.Keywords: Ecofeminism, Black women, sexist culturalism, FGM, subjugation

Homemade remedies causing contact dermatitis: case report on two patients with acne.

Natural products are often perceived as safe due to the absence of artificial or chemical materials in its content. However, many are unaware that some of these compounds, albeit natural in existence, can cause harm. Cinnamon and lemon are two commonly used home remedies for acne. Both these naturally existing ingredients are capable of producing dermatitis upon contact with the human skin. The aim of this article is to create awareness among physicians that natural remedies are not free from harm hence, should look out for any possible untoward reactions that these products may cause. Physicians need to explore the possible use of homemade remedies to treat common or minor ailments during history taking as this information may not be given voluntarily. Early identification of the offending agent, adequate management and future avoidance could help prevent further episodes of contact dermatitis and its complications

A tale of two boys: case report on non-consanguineous siblings with cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy is a common cause of childhood disability. It has a great impact on parents and caregivers, especially when it reoccurs in the same family. Although familial cerebral palsy is relatively uncommon, cases have been reported among children from consanguineous, non-consanguineous marriages and multiple pregnancies suggesting a possible complex genetic mode of inheritance. Physicians need to be aware of the possibility of familial cerebral palsy for early detection and counseling. We describe a rare case of two male siblings from a non-consanguineous marriage affected by cerebral palsy

Effectiveness of buerger's allen exercise on improving the lower extremity perfusion among patients with Diabetes Mellitus admitted at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

Effectiveness of buerger's allen exercise on improving the lower extremity perfusion among patients with diabetes mellitus admitted at apollo hospitals, chennai The Objectives of the study were, 1. To assess the lower extremity perfusion in control and experimental group of patients with diabetes mellitus before and after buerger's allen exercise. 2. To evaluate buerger's allen exercise by comparing lower extremity perfusion in control and experimental group of patients with diabetes mellitus before and after buerger's allen exercise. 3. To determine the level of satisfaction in patients with diabetes mellitus regarding Buerger`s Allen exercise. 4. To find out the association between the selected demographic variables and the lower extremity perfusion in control and experimental group of patients with diabetes mellitus before and after buerger's allen exercise. 5. To find out the association between the selected clinical variables and lower extremity perfusion buerger's allen exercise in control and experimental group of patients with Diabetes mellitus before and after buerger's allen exercise. The conceptual framework for the present study is based on Sister Callista According to Sister Callis practice centred discipline geared towards persons and their responses to stimuli and adaptation to the environment. This model is based on the concepts of input, throughput and output. The investigator used demographic variable proforma, clinical variable proforma, buerger's allen exercise were the various tools used by the researcher. The validity was obtained from various experts and reliability was obtained through test retest evaluation and found to be highly reliable. The main study was conducted after the pilot study. The investigator collected the data from Apollo Main Hospital, Greams road, Chennai and Apollo Speciality Hospital, Vanagaram, Chennai. The observation time schedule was from 7 a.m

Awareness and acceptance of anticipated pediatric COVID-19 vaccination in rural South India

Background: The objective of this study was to assess the awareness and acceptance of anticipated COVID-19 pediatric vaccination among parents in rural south India.Methods: Objective questionnaire based online cross-sectional study in out-patient department, school WhatsApp groups and the community between 01 July 2021 to 15 July 2021. Sample size 873. Parents of children less than 18 years of age willing to participate in the study were included. Parents not willing to participate in the study were excluded.Results: 64.6% parents accepted pediatric COVID-19 vaccination; 96.4% felt it beneficial to vaccinate children prior to re-opening of school. 96.68% were positive that vaccination in children shall play a pivotal role in the projected third wave. 35.39% were hesitant and wanted to delay vaccinating their children and 14.14% do not believe in vaccine efficacy. 14.53% parents were weary of giving vaccine to their children due to personal experience of adverse effects they had suffered, and 22.45% parents refused vaccination due to hearsay adverse effects. 17.6% parents felt that post COVID-19 infection, children don’t need vaccination. 38.95% of parents were concerned about interaction of COVID-19 vaccine with other vaccines of immunisation schedule, 19.36% felt that children don’t need specific COVID-19 vaccine since the regular immunisation schedule prevents COVID-19 infection.Conclusions: Parents of rural India are aware of the pandemic and its lasting impact in our society but its effect on children is still beyond their comprehension. Most parents are willing and accept pediatric COVID-19 vaccination, however vaccine hesitancy and misconceptions are significant entities that can derail full coverage of children.

Menstrual care for individuals with disability: a case report

Individuals with disabilities have different needs and concerns at different stages of life. The arrival of puberty brings about new challenges especially for females with issues related to menstrual care involving both the patient and their caregivers. This case report is about a 13-year-old girl with Down syndrome who was cared for by her widowed father since the age of six. She was suffering from severe mental disability. Her father was concerned, because she was unable to maintain personal hygiene during menses such as changing sanitary napkins and managing stains, hence requested for menstrual manipulation. Options for menstrual manipulation for individuals with disabilities include both medical and surgical interventions. Hormonal therapy options include oral contraceptive pills, depo-provera, progestin implants and progesterone release intra-uterine contraceptive devices. Surgical options such as hysterectomy or endometrial ablation may be considered as a last resort as it is more invasive and irreversible, involving ethical and legal implications. Selection of the suitable therapy involves shared decision making between health care provider and caregiver taking into consideration the patient’s best interest. This case report also highlights the role of family physicians in managing and coordinating care on delicate issues related to menstrual care for people with disabilities. This case report may serve as a guide to physicians and families with special needs children, while approaching issues on menstrual care

Contact dermatitis presenting as non-healing wound: case report

Topical antiseptics are commonly used in the management of minor wounds, burns, and infected skin. These agents are widely used by health professionals and are often self-prescribed by patients as they are easily available over-the-counter. This case illustrates a 73 year old man who presented with a non-healing wound on his right forearm for 4 weeks. The wound started from an insect bite and progressively enlarged with increasing pruritus and burning sensation. Clinically an ill-defined ulcer with surrounding erythema and erosion was noted. There was a yellow crust overlying the center of the ulcer and the periphery was scaly. Further inquiry revealed history of self treatment with a yellow solution to clean his wound for 3 weeks. Patient was provisionally diagnosed to have allergic contact dermatitis secondary to acriflavine. Topical acriflavine was stopped and the ulcer resolved after treatment with non-occlusive saline dressing. Skin patch test which is the gold standard for detection and confirmation of contact dermatitis showed a positive reaction (2+) to acriflavine. Acriflavine is widely used as a topical antiseptic agent in this part of the world. Hence, primary care physicians managing a large variety of poorly healing wounds should consider the possibility of contact allergy in recalcitrant cases, not responding to conventional treatment. Patient education is an important aspect of management as this would help curb the incidence of future contact allergies

Challenges in managing dementia in a primary health care setting: A case report

Dementia is a condition that is frequently associated with ageing. However, many fail to recognise that dementia is a treatable condition if detected early. This case report illustrates a 64-year-old man who was initially presented in a primary health care (PHC) centre in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, with gradual changes in his behaviour. Initial assessment concluded that he suffered from depression and he was treated accordingly. However, over time his condition deteriorated and the diagnosis was re-evaluated from depression to dementia when he developed poor cognitive and memory function. The patient defaulted on his follow-up appointments due to poor understanding of the illness and poor family support.Keywords: dementia; elderly; primary health car

The Secret Murder of Joy: An Ecofeministic Study on Alice Walker’s Possessing the Secret of Joy

Throughout the history of evolution of humankind, there has been disparity and discrimination. Diversity in nature and its creation has always been upheld through this discrepancy that exists in the society. Ecofeminism essentially is an amalgam of the feminist and ecology movements, the former centering on the concern for women and the latter on nature. It emphasizes the relationship between human beings and nature, since it stresses that the human being has an organic connection with nature. The focus of this research paper is to explore the status of Black Women through an Ecofeministic lens as portrayed in Alice Walker’s possessing the Secret of Joy. Walker launches an uncompromising attack on the plain sexist culturalism of female genital mutilation where the female body is subjected to disfigurement on account of patriarchal ideologies. As a way of opposing colonial Imperialism, Tashi, the protagonist of the fiction goes under the knife and Walker explicitly parallels the subjugation of native black women and nature through the label called culture by the androcentric society