Meningitis. Seriously though I watched the US version of CNN whilst in Curacao, and

every 5 minutes there is a 5 minute commercial break absolutely filled with pharmaceutical company adverts which go a bit like:

"Sore toe ? While this may not seem serious to you, it is possible that you have developed advanced gangrene. Visit your family physician right tomorrow and demand gengrenagen, America's number 1 anti-gangrene medication.".

(Small print at bottom of screen: gengrenagen may cause side-effects in some people including blindness, deafness, heart-attacks, stroke and pancreatic cancer.)

Apparently a massive problem in the US - people are turning up at the doctors with minor complaints, having already diagnosed themselves, and then demanding the advertised treatment.

Posted By: Steve in Holland, May 23, 10:19:51