Basic HTML Version
36
The
PLAIN TRUTH
February
l972
ripe, sprayed, processed, and unnaturally ripened. Many chil–
dren ( and adults) don't care to eat vegetables because they
haven't tasted the delicious fresh garden variety.
2.
Bttdget Go11rmet Foods.
Many tasty, nutritious vege–
tablcs and herbs are hard to come by in the market, yet are
easily grown at home - shallots, marjoram, Jinger-length
carrots, and many others.
3.
Savings.
Besides your own hard labor and the cost of
tools, a year's supply of vegetables for your entire family and
friends will cost around .$5
in
seed and
$1
in fertilizer. One
man fed his family, completely filled a 14-cu. ft. freezer,
besides loading a shelf with jars of homcmade pickles, for
only
$6.55
in seed. For less than a dollar for seed and fertili–
zer, the same man grew 30 large, tasty muskmellons, that
would cost from
751{;
to
.$1.50
each
(up to
S45
total) on the
market.
4.
Family togethemeu.
Rather than being a tedious
chorc, the work becomes the most enjoyable part of a vege–
table garden. It brings the famiJy together in a project, it
provides a relaxing changc of pace for Dad each night after
work and before sunset, and it's a tremendous teaching tool
for the children.
Next month, this column will discuss the proper location
and preparation for your garden plot. Future colwnns will
carry you through to harvest time and preparation for
uext
winter.
•
Be Careful With Hexachlorophene
Products
The Food and Orug Administration says hospital
nurseries and mothers, who for
22
years have been bathing
new-born babies with hexachlorophene skin cleaners, should
switch back to plain old soap and water.
The FDA announced last December 6 that new studies
indicate the chemical hexachlorophene enters the bloodstream
of infants, and has been shown to cause brain damage in
laboratory animals. Other studies guestion its effectiveness as
a germ fighter, the agency said. Companies have been given
six months to prove its effectiveness as a germ killer.
The long-range effect of the hundreds of other hexa–
chlorophene products, including the relatively new feminine
hygiene deodorant sprays, remains in doubt. Sorne physicians
claim the sprays cause skin irritation. "Further studies will be
necessary to determine the ultimate usefulness of hexachloro–
phene preparations," the FDA told doctors.
In the meantime, until such studies are made, and until
the six months period of grace elapses in June, you would be
wise to steer dear of hexachlorophene products.
Check the contents label of any such deaning, bathing,
or deodoriúng product for hexachlorophcne. As the FDA
said, why not use "good old soap and water"?
•
Automobiles and Emotions Don
1
t Mix
The "nut behind the wheel" is still the main cause of
automobile accidents. Despite al! noble efforts at driver edu–
cation, safer roads, and better cars, the
hmna11
being
is still
finding a way to kill himself and others with his automobile.
The latest evidence of human-caused accidents is
reported by the fall
1971
Family Safety
magazine. Their
article, entitled "Hang On to Your Emotions," revealed that
emotional stress was prevalent in
80
percent of al! accident
fatalities studied. "More than half of those killed," the article
continued, "had had a serious interpersonal contlict in the
24
hours immediately prior to the accident."
The typicaJ stress-induced accident develops from a fam–
ily argument. The future accident victim escapes the violent
family squabble by angrily screeching his "car-bomb" out of
the driveway toward "nowhere in particular." The fatality-to–
be then drives too fast, runs stop signs or red lights, and
generally uses the automobile to express his feelings of rage
and rejection.
An obvious warning would be:
DON'T
drive your car
while angry. Don't argue heatedly with your family; solve
your conflicts by rcasoned communication. Otherwise, take a
IJVALK,
not a drive.
If
arguing while driving, pul! over to a
safe parking spot and talk it out. Don't allow children to
argue or fight in your car.
•
Should You Buy a Small Car?
Most small-car buyers consider only the
eco110t11ic
factor
when purchasing an automobile. Others think of the benefits
in terms of more parking spaces
oc
less pollution. Very few,
however, consider the all-important factor of collision safety.
A collision between a small foreign car and a standard–
sized Awerican car is two or three times more likely to kill or
injure those in the smaller cae. The ratio increases four to six
times when one considers the larger cars like the Lincoln,
Cadillac, or Imperial.
The following figures, released in
1970
by the
U.
S. De–
partment of Transportation, show the percentage of drivers
killed or seriously injured per
LOO
collisions in various
brands of automobiles.
Compacts: Austin Healey ( 12% ), Triwnph ( 11.8% ),
Renault, MG, and Volkswagen
(10% ).
Compare these per–
centages with those of the larger models. Station wagons
(4%), Cadillac (3.3% ), Imperial, Chrysler and Buick
(3.9%), middle-range cars
(4Y
2
% ),
and the "low-cost-thrce"
C5Y2% ).
Another study examined over
270,000
traffic accidents in
one state between 1966 and 1968. Again, the driver who was
most likely to die or be injured was the driver of a popuJar
import family bus. American-built compact cars, in the Trans–
portation Department study cited above, were found to be
much safer: Dodge (4% ) , Ford
(6%) ,
Plymouth
(6.6% ),
Chevrolet ( 7
.6%) ,
and American
(8.2%).
These safety factors are certainly as important (or more
so) than the economic considerations when buying an au–
tomobile. Of course, those with Jimited driving needs should
not necessarily invest in a large car, and those with limited
finances may have no choice.
People who already own compact caes or intend to buy a
smaller car should be particularly cautious while driving.
Take no unnecessary chances, and above aU, observe traffic
safety laws and rules.