Talk:Benzoin (resin)

Untitled
I think the reason it is called "Gum Benzoin" has to do with it's harvesting. Like frankincense and myrrh, Benzoin is the dried sap of a particular tree. So "Gum" refers to it as a product of tree sap(http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/ac776e/ac776e09.htm), not as modern language for a type of chemical compound.

Mark Propper MarkAPropper@yahoo.com

Gum Benjamin
I've got a text from 1910, French Polishing and Enameling by Richard Bitmead. Chapter X has a recipe for "Waterproof French Polish" which suggests that Gum Benjamin and Gum Benzoin might be considered two separate things. Not really enough to edit this article in any way, but it is a curiosity. -Verdatum (talk) 21:20, 23 March 2012 (UTC)

chills and illness
"This folk belief has no basis in fact as wet hair has no influence on the presence or virulence of infectious agents, such as bacteria and viruses, responsible for the common cold and pneumonia."

Operating rooms were formerly held at a rather chilled 70-something (or high 60s) temperature. It was reasoned that pathogens grew more slowly at lower temperatures. But people's immune systems were less active at these temperatures and morbidity and mortality increased.

So the view that colder temperatures lead to increased illness has gained empirical support.

The following popular article includes citations pointing to some relevant studies. http://orthopedics.about.com/od/boneinfections/f/operatingroominfection.htm

--Ryan W (talk) 01:30, 12 November 2012 (UTC)