Zappers

 

Zappers

Sounds like a hairdresser, doesn’t it? There is actually a hairdresser in the village called Zappas, so I suppose that’s the association in my mind. We have an apparently inexhaustible supply of hair salons and barbers’ shops in Crowthorne as well as many charity shops supporting a variety of worthy causes.

Anyway, the Zappers I am referring to are insect destroyers. They emit ultraviolet light, which attracts insects and then electrocutes them. We only use them indoors against the annoying flies that buzz insistently round our heads and drive poor Gilbert mad. I am aware that more welcome bugs might be assassinated, but so far, it’s just the flies that have been done away with.

There is a loud ‘zap’ when an ill-starred fly is seduced by the light. Sometimes, though thankfully rarely, there is an unmistakeable smell of burning. I know that flies have their uses and it’s unfortunate that they have such a poor reputation. If only they would remain outside, they could live to buzz another day. Sadly, there is no chance of them learning by their mistakes.

Rickets

Rickets is a condition associated with poverty and poor diet. Children's bones soften and do not grow properly and the most obvious consequence is that the legs become bowed and painful. Dental deformities and muscle weakness are also common. It was prevalent among the poor of nineteenth century Great Britain and is one of the diseases most frequently seen in children in developing countries.

It arises from a lack of Vitamin D, most easily obtained from ultraviolet in sunlight but also present in oily fish, eggs, margarine, butter and fish liver oils. Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium.

The shocking news is that doctors in GB are seeing a rise in cases of rickets. Medical experts believe that modern diets often lack Vitamin D and this, coupled with many children's more sedentary lifestyles, is contributing to an increase in this condition. (Another disease linked to poverty and poor nutrition and believed to have been almost eradicated is tuberculosis.)

It is hard to believe that this is happening in this affluent 21^st century western country.