3rd August, 2000
Notice Board

PHONE BILLS

Can you cut the cost of your phone bill? There are now seven operators competing for the home phone market. The Difference's in Minimum call charges
The highest is Eircom, which charges at least 11.5p for all calls. This means that even a short call, say, a one-minute local call in the evening, costs 11.5p.
Ocean, which has no minimum call charge, only charges 1.5p for the same call (that's 87% less than Eircom's charge)
Spirit charges at least 5p, except for calls with its weekend special.
IM (Irish Multichannel) charges at least 3.6p.
Switchcom 3.5p. Esat Clear charges at least 3p for international calls.
For calls within Ireland Esat Clear has a 'call set-up' of 3p - this added to the price of every local and national you make. Swiftcall charges a minimum of one quarter of the per minute rate.
True per second billing?
Consumers should only be billed for the duration (in seconds) of calls they make. As all operators other than Ocean have minimum call charges, most consumers are not billed accurately and fairly. Ocean has no minimum call charge and no call set up charge, therefore its per second billing is genuine.
Of the others, most bill per second after the minimum call charge is reached. However, Swiftcall bills per minute and Switchcom for every 30 seconds.
Itemised bills.
Eircom charges £3.63 every two months for an itemised bill on an ongoing basis and £4.84 for a once off itemised bill. IM gives details on all calls over 50p free of charge.
All other operators provide free itemised bills; Esat Clear gives consumers a choice of three free billing options.
The Consumer's Association of Ireland believes that charging for itemised bills is unacceptable.
Directory enquiries
Eircom charges 46p (since 9th June) for directory enquiry calls with a maximum of three enquires per call.
Esat Clear charges 34p for directory enquiry calls and you can make up to four enquires per call.
Conduit Europe, which has an independent enquiries number (11850) charges 33p per minute for directory enquiry calls.
Discounts. Most operators give discounts to reduce your bill.
Next week we'll look at what's available

COOL FOR CATS

Cat-lovers have a treat in stone on Sunday 3rd September when the Cork Cat Club hold their annual Championship Show at St. Finbarr's Hurling and Football Club in Togher. Cats and kittens of all shapes, sizes and colours will be on view from 11pm to 5 PM, competing for cups, trophies and rosettes.
Almost 100 cats are expected to take part, including pedigree breeds such as Siamese, Persians, Burmese, Asians, Balinese, Maine Coons and Birmans - the legendary temple cats of Burma. Star show cats from all over Ireland will be travelling to Cork, and there are also entries from England and Scotland.
The show is not restricted to thoroughbreds, as there is a large section for non-pedigree Household Pets, the domestic cats of unknown parentage. They will compete for prizes in many "cat"egories, including children's cats, rescued strays, the cat with the 'Best Coat', and the 'Best Personality'. There will be a number of stalls and side attractions, but the point of the day will be the judging of the Best Cat on show in front of the public. Three qualified judges - two from England, one from Dublin - will make the hard decisions, but for most people the main priority will be to enjoy the beautiful cats on view. For more details contact Rowena Murphy 021 4293620.

ON THE BEACH

Along the beach
I saw her run,
Her fair hair dancing
In the sun,
And wished again
That I was young
But I have had my day.
I saw her run
Along the beach,
A sweet love song,
An urplucked peach,
A youthful goddess
Out of reach,
But I have had my day.
An unplucked peach,
A sweet love song,
Her flowing body
Moved along,
I blinked my eyes
And she was gone,
And I have had my day.

Ronnie McGinn

ST. PATRICK'S MILLS

From the History of Douglas by Con Foley

In 1844, Henry Osborne Seward made application to the Chief Herald for a coat of arms: "To all and singular to whom these presents shall come, I, Sir William Bethan, Knight attendant on the most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick, Ulster, King of Arms, and Principal Herald of all Ireland, send Greeting. Whereas application has been made to me by Henry Osburne Seward of Lee Cottage and Douglas, in the county of Cork, and of Newcastle, in the county of Limerick, esquire, Setting forth, that he is descended of an ancient Family, originally of Devonshire from where his immediate ancestors passed over to Ireland, and settled in the counties of Waterford and Cork, That, his Family having long used armorial bearings, and being by his father's intermarriage with the ancient Family of Osburne, of Ayrshire and Mid Lothian in Scotland, entitled to certain quarterings of arms, he is now desirous that all such should be duly marshalled and confirmed by lawful authority and has therefore prayed that I would grant and confirm to him and his descendants, such arms as he and they may lawfully use and bear -."
An examination of the Valuation Records would indicate that Henry Osborne Seward was landlord of a great part of the village of Douglas including the ground and churchyard of St.Columba's Church(valuation in 1852 £24), the National Schoolhouse (valuation £5), the R.I.C. Barrack, the Court House, Dispensary, and the islands in the Douglas Estuary. He had two children, Henry Osburne and Elizabeth Chetwood, whose births were recorded by the Limerick Chronicle: "4th of October (1823) in Cork, Lady of Henry Osburne Seward, Esquire, of a son," "August 25th (1830), at Sydney Place, Cork, late of Henry Osburne Seward, of a daughter."
The family residence in Douglas together with offices and lands occupied an area of 77 acres 2 roods 4 perches - valuation £135. His family motto "Olim Fuimus" (once we were), is wistfully reminiscent of former prestige. The name "Seward" is completely unknown in the Douglas of today, but an old woman who worked in the mill in the early years of this century could remember hearing of a gentleman who she called "Mr. Seavers" (the spelling is mine).
There are two large houses in the centre of the western village opposite the late Mr. O'Sullivan's shop. A few years ago, the front of the first of these two houses, as one goes towards the school, was replastered. When the old plaster was hacked down, a large bricked up archway, from window to front door, was clearly visible. There were also two large buildings (since demolished) at the rear of these houses, with double lofts. It seems reasonable to suppose therefore, that the archway was originally the entrance to Richard Lane's mill. The field itself was also used as a bleaching ground: 1852 Valuation, Land £1, Buildings £23.

VANITY HAIR

About two and a half years ago the pharmaceutical company Merck launched a product called Propecia in the United States. It is the first pill on the market to combat hair loss. Taken once a day this medicine is designed for men but it now appears that women are also demanding for it
But buyer be warned, the active ingredient is Finasteride, originally launched as Proscar, for the treatment of prostate enlargement. A 5mg daily dose lowers the production of androgens (male hormones) - the presence of androgens in hair follicles can inhibit hair growth.
Studies looking at men aged 18 - 41 with mild to moderate hair loss who were taking Propecia showed either an increase in noticeable hair, or a reduction in the deterioration. However although more than 50% improved, nearly 30% of those taking placebo pill improved as well. This has caused some scientists to question the results of the entire study.
There are also side effects like loss of libido, erectile dysfunction and low sperm count. The manufacturers are discouraging women and would be fathers from taking Propecia as it can lead to genital defects in the foetus.
These are all the available facts at the moment and given the side effect and the limited areas of improvement deciding to take Propecia is not easy. Somehow we feel that most men would rather be bald.

COPING WITH ANXIETY

by Declan Cronin of the Apex Clinic, Douglas.

Question: I'm a 42-year-old male and six years ago my doctor told me that I suffered from anxiety attacks. Since then I've become preoccupied with my condition. Even if I'm to plan a short trip or simply go to town I am in a total state of panic. If I'm out socialising I'm very concerned if someone looks at me and I start to shake all over. It has now come to the stage where I just don't want to socialise. Up until a few years ago I never had these problems. I also don't know what brought it on but I've been told that the cause of anxiety attacks can be due to stress. I would like to know if stress is the cause of anxiety attacks and can it be cured. Anthony.

Answer: Some people who suffer from anxiety attacks can to be more stressed than people who do not suffer from anxiety, but we cannot assume that stress is the cause even though it can be a contributing factor. Obviously if a person becomes more stressed and depressed due to their symptoms then that can make their problems seem a lot worse. A good therapist can help you come to terms with your stress and anxieties. Some people go as far as to give up employment because they associate the onset of the anxiety attacks as a direct result of stress at work. This has been known to help some people but the majority would report that the symptoms haven't alleviated in the slightest. People do recover from anxiety attacks and my advice would be to go to a therapist who has been recommended by someone you know and trust.

More next week.

GINKGO BILOBA- WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED

s Army Air Corps C.47 crashed into the McGillycuddy Reeks, killing all 5 crew on board. The aircraft wasn'The maidenhair tree, which is to be seen growing wild in parts of West Cork, and can reach a height of a 100-ft by the time it, is 200 years old. Have been cultivated in China and Japan since ancient times, and is planted in many parts of the world. Its leaves are fan-shaped, and it bears fleshy, yellow, foul-smelling fruit enclosing edible kernels. Throughout history it has been known for as a herbal medicine for people with circulatory problems (Raynaud's Disease). Up to some time ago it was freely available in all health food stores, then the Department of Health, on the advice of the Irish Medicines Board, had it officially taken off the shelves.
Ten months ago when the St. John's Wort controversy reared it's head, the Douglas Weekly contacted the Department of Health and the Irish Medicines Board and asked for the names, qualifications, and full-time occupations of the members of the Irish Medicines Board. In reply we received a list of names, so far they have not been forthcoming with the rest of the information. One can only speculate as to why.
Now in a feature that has amazing similarity's to the St. John's Wort issue. Researchers at the Ninewells Hospital and Medical School in Dundee, Scotland have finished a study on the role of Ginkgo Biloba in treating Raynaud's Disease. Although the official results will not be published until September, a Ginkgo Biloba supplement (Seredrin) is already on the market in the UK.
We trust that you will forgive the Douglas Weekly for anticipating that a prescription only form of Ginkgo Biloba will be available in the not too distant future.

HOLY COKE!

Look at the wrapper on a Coca-Cola 1.5 litre bottle and in the ingredients you will find phosphoric acid in it. Minute quantities of ethylene glycol are also used (which is acknowledged in the soft drink world for making it "really chill"). This is popularly known as anti-freeze, which prevents water from freezing at 0 deg. C and instead drops it by 4-5 degrees with minute quantities. This chemical is a known slow poison in the calibre of arsenic. So, if you manage to drink about 4 litres of Coke within an hour or so, you can die.
Read along and give up these dangerous things. Be natural; have flavoured milks, tender coconuts, and buttermilk, lassi and plain water instead of these "soft" drinks. Guess what's the pH for soft drinks, e.g. Coke? PH 3.4! This acidity is strong enough to dissolve teeth and bones! Our human body stops building bones at the age of about 30. Soft drinks do not have any nutrition value (in terms of vitamins & minerals). It is high in sugar content, carbonic acid, chemicals i.e. colourings etc.
Some like to take cold soft drinks after each meal. Guess what's the impact? Our body needs an optimum temperature of 37 degrees Celsius for digestive-enzyme functioning. The temperature of cold soft drinks is very much below 37 degrees or even close to 0 degrees Celsius. This will dilute the enzymes & stress the digestive system. The food taken will not be digested. In fact it will be fermented! The fermented food produces gases, decays and becomes toxin, gets absorbed by the intestine, circulates in the blood stream and is carried to the whole body. Hence toxin is cumulated in other parts of the body, developing into various diseases.
Think before you drink coke/Pepsi (or any soft drink) again. Have you ever thought what you drink when you drink an aerated drink? You gulp down carbon dioxide, when nobody in the world would advise you to drink CO2.
Two months back, there was a competition at Delhi University - "Who could drink the most coke?" The winner drank 8 bottles and fainted on the spot- too much CO2 in the blood. Thereafter, the principal banned all soft drinks from the college canteen! While this might have been an extreme measure, the results do provide some food for thought. Did you know that soft drinks use chemicals in them that cause immense harm to you? Someone put a broken tooth in a bottle of Pepsi and in 10 days it DISSOLVED! Can you believe it? Teeth and bones are the only human parts that stay intact for years after death. Imagine what the drink must be doing to your soft intestines and stomach lining!

AUDIO KILLED THE RADIO STAR

We mentioned a couple of weeks ago that listenership for BBC World Radio had increased in spite of Satellite TV. Now we hear that RTE Radio is having a similar success, and it's all thanks to the computer. Switching on your computer to listen to radio may seem to be some sort of a paradox, but thousands of radio stations from all around the world now broadcast online - and the sound quality depends entirely on how good your speakers are and not on the vagaries of the airwaves. Take for example the country music broadcast from KPLX, it is exactly the same as what the local listeners hear in Dallas Texas, but the way you receive it is very different. The technology that brings you far -flung broadcasts is called audio streaming, and means you don't have to download an entire audio file. All your computer needs is a sound card; speakers and an audio plug in such as Real-Audio.
Then head for MIT's searchable list of online radio stations (wmbr.mit.edu/stations/list.html), which identifies offline radio stations with web pages - sites with streaming technology have little lightning bolts beside their URL.
Now owned by Yahoo!, www.broadcast.com is a good place to seek guidance, and hosts continuous broadcasts from more than 450 stations. Anyone familiar with the Yahoo! Homepage will find this site a breeze to negotiate; it has already transmitted more than 36,000 live events, including the last four Super Bowls and John Glenn's return to space (bet you'd forgotten that one).
www.rte.ie /radio streams all its radio output and it archives programmes so if you miss a live transmission you can catch up on RTE Radio One's news and current affairs coverage at any time of the day. This is something that might be of interest to any friends or relations you might have overseas
It is hard to believe nowadays that when Guglielmo Marconi patented his invention in 1896 he was met with a barrage of scepticism and opposition.

LEST WE FORGET

A row broke out in a church in Rome and a horrified Fr. Victorio Carisi rushed to intervene. For his trouble he got beaten to a pulp by 31 year old Antonio DeSanto, an 18 Stone bully. DeSanto ran from the church, straight onto the street and was hit and killed by a passing truck. A bloodied and battered Father Carisi rushed to the scene to administer the last rites. As he prayed beside his assailants' body he was heard to say "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away".

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