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You And Your Pet (by Robert L. Stear, D.V.M.) The American Humane Association: 99 Years Of Compassion Every year at this time, the American Humane association sponsors "Be Kind to*Animals week." It's a good time, I think, to salute the Association's many achievements and to review its ongoing animal care programs. The American Humane association will celebrate a century of service next year. During the past ninety-nine years, the AHA has worked to prevent cruel treatment of animals in human custody and to see that they are not deprived of their basic^jteeds. The AHA has led carn|>aigns for inspection, regulation, legislation and enforcement. These campaigns have resulted in the growth of veterinary services, rabies control in pet animals and wildlife, humane transportation and slaughter of food animals, and pet animal population control programs. Consultative services to motion pictures and television producers are also provided by the AHA during the filming of animal action. Additionally, the AHA provides inspection services for zoos, circuses, horse shows and rodeos. And once each year, the AHA awards prizes to animals whose antics are directed on television or in film. Lassie, Pyewacket the cat (from Bell, Book and Candle) and Trigger the horse are among the long listing of PATSY (Performing Animal Television Star of the Year) award winners. These awards help to call public at­ tention to the value of kindness toward animals. In many communities across the country, there is a growing c o o p e r a t i o n b e t w e e n veterinarians and humane organizations. By working part of full-time in an animal shelter, these veterinarians help solve problems that in­ volve the community's overall animal population. They help direct programs of nutrition, sanitation, isolation and vac­ cination. And since most of the( animals entering the shelter* have unknown health histories, the veterinarian makes a careful examination of the pets for parasites, inherited ab­ normalities and signs of in­ fectious disease. Both the American Humane association and the veterinarians who work with the association are particularly concerned with the pet population explosion. The AHA has calculated that one female dog, under ideal conditions, can be responsible for the birth of nearly 500 female dogs in a S- year period if each litter produces two females. If, on the other hand, each female produces three females per litter, the end result in five years is close to 5,000 females! These are startling figures when we consider that any community with a human population of 50,000 might have from 100 to 300 stray female dogs within its boundaries on any given day. Kindness, benevolence and compassion are important aspects of the humane movement. But so are all the animal health care aspects. Across the country, thousands of dogs and cats suffer needlessly each year because of the problem of over­ population alone. Some strays roam city streets in constant danger of being injured or of starving to death. And they're a public nuisance, besides. 'Pets Need Responsible Owners' is the theme of this year's "Be Kind to Animals week," and it's a good one to remember all year. I join the AHA in reminding you to keep your pets safe - at home or under your close control - at all times. (Dr. Stear regrets that he is unable to personally answer letters from pet owners. He suggests that readers consult their own veterinarians when their pets have problems). COMPLETE RADIOLOGICAL COURSE - McHenry County Emergency Services A Disaster Agency (MCESDA) recently issued certificates of completion for a Radiological Monitoring course to local area residents. Tie coarse was taught by Radiological Defense officer, John Scarbrovgh. and was originally developed to train people to measure the level of radioactivity in the event of a nuclear attack. In peacetime, the need has grown In Importance. Radioactive material Is being used in industry now more than ever and is being transported through, around and over our county on a regular basis. The presence of radioactivity cannot be detected by sight or smell but only by a trained person with proper instruments. Many participants in this class are members of police, fire departments and rescue squads lu this area. Pictured, front left to right, are Richard Mack. Mary Schmuhl, Shirley Hosie, Dee Hodgson, John Scarbrough, and Sam Wyatt; back, left to right, Reuben Frans, Richard Karolus, Robert Button. Barry Valentine, Donald Durbin. Robert Rocker, Terry Alcock, Lloyd Laufer. Robert Dagenais, Alf Sv in land, and John Shay, director MCESDA. There are twelve divisions in MCESDA. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer may contact the office at the courthouse at Woodstock or by phoning 81S43844N. LYLE KRAUSE PHOTO have a nice weekend... Watch a <l««4 Traffic Deaths Remain Near 1975 Figure The superintendent of the Illinois State Police, Dwight E. Pitman, has announced provisional figures which in­ dicate that during the month of March, 1976, 108 persons died from injuries sustained from traffic accidents on Illinois highways. Three hundred seventy-nine persons have been killed since Jan. 1 of this year. There were 377 persons killed during the same period of 1975, showing an increase of two. Captain James M. Murphy, "^district commander for the area including Lake, McHenry, DuPage, Kane and DeKalb c o u n t i e s , r e p o r t s t h a t f i f t y persons have been killed in these counties in the months of January, February and March, 1976. A breakdown of the counties shows that Lake has nineteen fatalities; Kane has fourteen fatalities; DuPage has twelve; McHenry has four and DeKalb, one. Captain Murphy wants to remind the motoring public that the weather is starting to get better so keep an eye open McHenry Pediatrician £ Breathing Club Speaker "Asthma in children and young adults" will be the topic of the May 11 Breathing club m e e t i n g , s p o n s o r e d b y t h e D u P a g e - M c H e n r y L u n g association, when the group convenes at 7:30 p.m. in the lower level conference room of Memorial Hospital for McHenry County in Woodstock. The hospital is located on W. South street. August Rossetti, M.D., McHenry pediatrician, will present the program to which parents, nurses and other in­ terested persons are invited. Dr. Rossetti is co-chairman of the Lung association's medical advisory committee, along with Robert Foresman, M.D. of Woodstock. Dr. Rossetti represented the association earlier this spring in Denver at a special course devoted to "the young lung", sponsored by the American College of Chest Physicians. for more pedestrians and bike riders. TIME SHARE MOST PETS IN AMERICA EAT BETTER THAN THIS ^ CHIL Join The Walk FOR WORLD HUNGER! 10 Mile Hunger Walk is SAT., MAY 8th at 9:00AM from McCracken Field FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 344-1333 Walk or sponsor a walker. Forms available at McHenry Jr. and Sr. High Schools and United Methodist Churches. L CROP VK7ST3|V THIS AD SPONSORED BY the Community Hunger Appeal of Church World Service How ClMrcli World Service b Supported McHenry Floral Co. Mitchell Buick & Olds Payton Chevrolet McHenry Realty Gateway Realtors Mar-Ray Costume Shop 1st National Bank of McHenry Overton Pontiac-Cadillac Buss Ford McHenry Trophies Don's Submarine Sandwich Shop Brake Parts Company Sunny side Dodge Co. McHenry Ice Cream Shoppe Mr. Don's 1 Hour Cleaning Torkelson Lincoln-Mercury O.E.A. Construction Co. McHenry Studio & Camera Center The Lung association reports that its loan bank of breathing m a c h i n e s f o r e m p h y s e m a patients has had heavy use the past year. Such equipment has given the family doctor a chance to try the machines' e f f e c t i v e n e s s b e f o r e prescribing it permanently for a patient. Further information concerning the May 11 meeting may be obtained from the Christmas Seal agency in Woodstock, at (815) 338^6675. Peach Meiba Drain one can (eight ounces) sliced peaches and one package (10 ounces) frozen raspberries, thawed Cook drained syrup with one teaspoorflemon juice and one tablespoon corn starch until clear and thickened. Add fruit, heat. Serve hot or cold over ice cream. Four to six servings. PAGE • • PLAINDEALER*WEDNESDAY. MAY i. 1VJ« i The Malpractice Situation (Editor's Note: Second in a series of informational stories concerning the medical malpractice situation in Illinois which should concern every citizen. TNa series is prepared in conjunction with the Illinois State Medical society and the McHenry County Medical society). Virtually all segments of our society must became involved in a reform at Illinois present malpractice dilemma. That flat assertion by Dr. William Larsen, president at the McHenry County Medical society, calle attention to the ways he feels the malpractice litigation problem it a matter that should be of concern to all citizens "People need to become informed on the various phaasa of tMo problem Then we hope they'll feel motivated to contact their legislators at Springfield and urge them to act on the malpractice reforms recommended by the Illinois State Medical Society this session Dr. Larsen divided the areas at "reform" into four categortee, and he indudea the physicians themselves, as follows: Judicial-Legal: 1. Juries and judgee must be provided with guidelines for appropriate damages Too often sympathetic juries award high damages to the plaintiff becauae "It won't coat the doctor anything since he's insured." Higher insurance payouts mean higher coats for physician and hoepital fees and higher health insurance premiums 2. Handling malpractice claims must be modified. Dr. Larsen says frivolous claims can cost a physician thousands of dollars to defend Valid claims may (hag on for years before a patient receives any money. "Arbitration must be examined as a poesible alternative to the present tort system," he said. S. Steps must be taken to see thst the patient who is a victim at actual malpractice receives a large enough share of any damages awarded by the court Coat of litigation (lawyer's fees and coats) eat up as much as 80 percent of an award, leaving a victim without adequate compensation for medical and hoepital coets and ioas of wages. 4. Rules must be established and enforced to deter plaintiff attorneys from pursuing casea which have no merit. Physicians and hoapitals must have the right to pursue counter-litigation against a plaintiff or his attorney. 5. Specialisation in the legal profession to develop more qualified defenae attorneys should be encouraged. Insurance: 1. Insurance carriers must be prohibited from setting suits that are apparently without merit. 2. Entire structure of the insurance system must be reexamined. Insurance companies answer to date has been higher claim reserve* and greater limits of coverage. Offering huge amounts as "umbrella" coverage is an invitation to sort, the "pot of gold." 3. Carriers must be more candid about their experience in underwriting professional liability insurance. Legislation: 1. Legislation must be passed to modify the preeent tort system As a result, constitutional challenges are unavoidable. Legislative solutions must "plow" new local ground if they are to be effective and any propoeals must be radical enough to raise constitutional questions Medical Prefessisu: 1. The medical profession must "clean its own house," aaosrts Dr. Larssn. Stringent peer review must be accomplished routinely, with procedures designed to deny privileges or even licensure if necessary. 2. Physicians who practice good medicine must be prepared to defend themselves More preciee record-keeping is one key to a good defense, and the physician must be willing to report incidents from which a claim might arise. 3. Physicians must restore the doctor-patient relationship Public Expectation: 1 The public must realise medicine is not an exact science and that no guarantees of successful treatment exists. Unreelistic expectations-fueled by television physician idee la-are causing many suits. 2. The public must be educated to its roaponelbilitieo. Patients should ask questions of their physician before undergoing any treatment or surgical procedure. If patients are aware of the risks, the number of suits would be reduced. 3. The public concept that all injured petients should he compeneatsd, regardless of whether there is any evidence of any negligence-must be examined Many physicians have bed judgements against them simply becauae that is the only available means of compensation. Summarized Dr. Larsen: "This indiestes the need for bread community participation in reaching solutions to the malpractice litigation problem by a great many people. Legialative reforms are needed, and they are needed now. I urge citizens to talk with their legislators and expreos their views on this potentially exploeive situation in Illinois. HOUSE of quAiirr Lossmann's Meats, Fish & Del 5000 WEST ROUTE 120 McHENRY, ILL 385-3401 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • M0N. THRU SAT. 9:00 TO 7:30 SUN. 9.00 TO 5:30 WE ACCEPT FOOD STAMPS STEAK OF THE WEEK Prime Top Sirloin Butt Steaks I Sea Cove f i i WI-; "• Merkt's (NO PRESERVATIVES) 17 0Z. TUB $185 EXTRA LE1AN & FLAVORFUL Krakus Ham SWEET 4. BUTTER Y Mun-Chee Cheese •.?... o 9 OLD FASHIONED EXTRA LARGE ALL BEEF Hot Dogs v,Jl39 Beer Sausage JBL--i •LmCKi Walleye Pike L B « i » • e e e e e e e e e e S White Bass - 99* e e e e e e e e e e e e ^ ^ W H i 1 e e e o e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e o e e e LB. s e e e e e e e e e e e • § Salmon Steaks LB W e e e e e e e e e e e # S | POOR MAN'S LOaSTER Monkfish LB $1" e e e e e e e e e e e e ^ Channel Catfish. LB *149 e e e e e e e e e e e e e ® Ocean Perch Fillets Shrim p. LB. Smelts LB. WE ALSO CARRY 80* Crappies Turbot Trout Red Snapper Scallops Grouper Oysters Clams Haddock Lake Perch Smoked Chubs Smoked Sable Smoked Trout Whitefish Eels Flounder Sole Cod PRICES EFFECTIVE THRU MAY 9 . hv. I