Outbreaks: In the first half of Wednesday's show, Dr. Gary Ridenour talked about various disease outbreaks such as Hantavirus, as well as West Nile, and Lyme disease. Interestingly, historians believe that Alexander the Great died from exposure to Hantavirus in 323 BC, and soldiers were also struck by it during the Korean War. The rare disease is spread by the deer mouse, and there's been a recent outbreak at Yosemite National Park from people who stayed in the "signature tent cabins," he reported. The incubation time is 2-4 weeks, and people who contract the virus (which is not passed between humans) may experience flu-like symptoms, and fever. About a third of the cases are fatal, with lungs filling with fluid, leading to respiratory failure. In the 1950s, it was considered for use as a biological weapon, Ridenour noted. For further info about Hantavirus, view this report (PDF file) prepared by Michael Bradshaw.
West Nile virus was first identified in the 1930s, but until the 1990s its appearance was very sporadic. Birds are the most common carrier of the disease, which is spread to humans via mosquito bites. The Dallas, Texas area currently has an outbreak, where there are a lot of robins and crows, Ridenour detailed. While 80% of the cases are sub-clinical, others get flu-like symptoms, nausea, and diarrhea, and a small number of people die. "A lot of health agencies have said that (insecticide) spraying is too expensive for the number of people affected," he said. Regarding Lyme disease, which is caused by certain tick bites, some victims experience long term auto immune problems like chronic arthritis.
Psychic Abilities:
In the latter half, Honors graduate of Pace University Law School, Nancy Du Terte, discussed how she discovered her psychic ability, and why she believes this is a natural phenomenon which we are born with and can rekindle. While working on a book about the psychology of intuition, she started taking various psychic training courses, and "bit by bit, very slowly, I came to realize that I had ability, and there was absolutely something to this, and I think it's a crying shame that the scientific and medical establishment aren't pursuing this like crazy," she said. Comparing psychic feelings to an overlap of two or more of our normal five senses, she noted that at a very early age, logic and language kill our ability to process information in the right brain hemisphere-- where psychic abilities occur.
When it comes to psychic intuition, "the minute you start using your logical, cognitive brain, you won't get the right answer," because you'll start guessing which is based on what you already know, she explained. Du Terte suggested that having a positive belief system about psychic abilities was an important factor in learning to excel at it. She described some of the work she's done as a psychic detective assisting law enforcement. She doesn't claim to solve cases but rather sees herself as an "investigative tool," offering a piece of information that can lead an investigation a certain way or corroborate existing information. Du Terte also described her work as a spirit medium, and medical intuitive.