Comments on: WARNING: This Will Give You Nightmares

By: Points of Interest, #16 « Mind, Soul, and Body

Points of Interest, #16 « Mind, Soul, and Body — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:05:55 +0000

[...] has a gut wrenching post that describes in full, unabashed detail the true, human cost of the world food crisis in the form of Noma and one patient’s story. Warning- this post is not for those with a weak stomach or heart, the latter of which is [...]

By: David Khorram

David Khorram — Thu, 29 May 2008 09:01:05 +0000

Thanks for the story, Doc. I’m thankful to never have seen this in the Pacific.

By: Doc Gurley

Doc Gurley — Tue, 27 May 2008 06:12:04 +0000

Unfortunately, the horror of noma is one of the reasons why I think it has remained an “invisible” problem – to take a picture, or to publicize something like this feels like the worst sort of voyeurism when you see it. Noma strikes children, who don’t understand what is happening to them. That, plus the fact that noma kills quickly – the gangrene spreads rapidly into the face/head, with death in only a week or so. Noma is also cloaked in extreme shame, even for the surviving family. Thanks so much for all your generosity and for opening your heart to such vulnerable wee people.

By: Virginia

Virginia — Tue, 27 May 2008 03:04:26 +0000

It is a tear jerker, Jan. I will send “a week’s groceries” from the Steuber family. Given what I spend for seven people at our house to eat, it should help a little. Thanks for the enlightenment, however painful.

By: Barbara Quick

Barbara Quick — Fri, 23 May 2008 04:14:59 +0000

This is the kind of story that changes one forever. My son and I have both decided to eat only plants and fish from now on. I am so grateful to have this address now–a place to send some hope and help. Your blog is a very wonderful thing!

By: cassundra

cassundra — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:57:07 +0000

Oh, my god. I can not imagine a greater suffering for the child and the mother. It is important to do whatever we can to stamp out this horrible disease. Thanks for educating us Doc Gurley.