/oss/taxonomy/term/1273/all en /oss/article/history/taking-bath-bath <p>I first got interested in the history of the English town of Bath years ago when I had the pleasure of sitting in the famous “Pump Room,” sipping a glass of Bath water. A brochure on the table told of the health benefits attributed to drinking or bathing in the water that bubbled up from a spring just below. What really captivated me, though, was the story about treating lead poisoning by immersion in the water!</p> Thu, 21 Mar 2024 00:44:15 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9877 at /oss /oss/article/pseudoscience/evil-eye <p>I must admit I’m not sure if the woman is just an intellectual simpleton or a clever charlatan preying on the gullible.  I suspect the former.  In any case, here is the story.  Upon invitation, and for a fee, this peculiar character travels from the Middle East to North America to rid people of the effects of the Evil Eye.  Evil what, you ask?  As featured in many cultures, the Evil Eye is a look directed at some unfortunate person, resulting in bad luck or outright harm.  The perpetrator is usually believed to possess some sort of supernatural power, although in some cultures an envious pe</p> Fri, 04 Feb 2022 21:47:02 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9017 at /oss /oss/article/controversial-science-environment-health-news-toxicity/tarnished-gold-rush <p>It’s hard for us here in North America to believe that gold is killing hundreds of children in Nigeria. Well, it isn’t exactly the gold that is killing them, it is the lead oxide and lead carbonate in the dust that is stirred up in the search for tiny gold nuggets. There is no modern machinery here, the miners work with shovels and hammers. They bring rocks home and pound them into dust in the quest for bits of gold that may allow for an improved life. The lead-laden dust settles on everything, including clothing and food. Water becomes contaminated as it is used to rinse away the dust.</p> Fri, 08 Nov 2013 19:44:48 +0000 Alexandra Pires-Ménard, OSS Intern 2030 at /oss