Links: History of modesty/Hygiene hypothesis/Men into boys/Koch brothers/Obese pets

History of Modesty, Part 2 (Patient Modesty & Privacy Concerns)
Part two of my post on the history of patient modesty is up as a guest post on the Patient Modesty blog. I discuss how, in the 19th century, doctors got patients to accept a much more invasive physical exam than what patients were used to.

Greater Germ Exposure Cuts Asthma Risk (WSJ)
Another example of the hygiene hypothesis. Children living on farms have a lower risk of asthma than children who don’t because they are surrounded by a greater variety of germs. Key is exposure to diversity of germs, not just more of them. “You have to have microbes that educate the immune system. But you have to have the right ones.”

Where Have The Good Men Gone? (WSJ)
This is sure to get lots of attention. From Manning Up: How the Rise of Women Has Turned Men into Boys. “Today, … with women moving ahead in our advanced economy, husbands and fathers are now optional, and the qualities of character men once needed to play their roles—fortitude, stoicism, courage, fidelity—are obsolete, even a little embarrassing. … Women put up with him for a while, but then in fear and disgust either give up on any idea of a husband and kids or just go to a sperm bank and get the DNA without the troublesome man.”

Judge Tosses Suit Against Health Care Law (NPR)
Yeah! Suit was against universal mandate, but on narrow grounds: that it violates religious freedom of those who rely on God to protect them. The judge expressed doubts that plaintiffs can really determine they’ll never need health care.

Billionaire Brothers’ Money Plays Role in Wisconsin Dispute (NYT)
Koch Industries was one of the biggest contributors to Governor Walker’s campaign. Even before Walker was sworn in last month, executives from the Koch-backed group had worked behind the scenes to encourage a union showdown. Do you think if they get enough bad publicity they’ll be embarrassed and go away? No.

Koch Brothers Behind Wisconsin Effort To Kill Public Unions (Forbes)
Why are the Koch Brothers so interested in Wisconsin? They are a major business player in the state. “You really have to wonder how long it will take for Tea Party devotees to realize just how badly they are being used.”

When Man’s Best Friend Is Obese (WSJ)
With more than half of U.S. dogs and cats now overweight or obese, the problem is reaching epidemic proportions. “Obesity in pets is almost the equivalent of smoking in human medicine.”

Older links

Image (Mother and Child by Edelfelt): Bioethics Discussion Blog

Image (Fat cat): The Pets Place