Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2020 February 10

= February 10 =

What is the LD 50 of play dough?
I need to know because I accidentally ingested some! 69.5.123.24 (talk) 03:34, 10 February 2020 (UTC)
 * If you are concerned about something you ingested, you should contact an appropriate professional, not ask on the reference desk. In many developed countries, there are poison control centres who can provide front line advice, [//poisonhelp.hrsa.gov/poison-centers] has a number for the US. Nil Einne (talk) 04:22, 10 February 2020 (UTC)


 * Play-Doh™ is non-toxic, unless you are allergic to any of its ingredients; but, of course Nil Einne is right: don't get medical advice from random people on the internet; contact a professional.  2606:A000:1126:28D:9451:2A3:1A64:CCAF (talk) 06:23, 10 February 2020 (UTC)
 * The LD50 values of toxins, radiation or pathogens are usually measured by giving a population of animals such as mice enough dose to kill half the population. Commercially marketed play dough should contain only innocuous ingredients such as flour, salt and starch because it is intended for use by children. A meaningful LD50 measurement is impractical because play dough is neither a toxin, radiation or a pathogen, and a mouse force-fed play dough will likely be harmed more by congestion than toxicity. A young child should not play unsupervised if it is liable to put dough in its mouth. DroneB (talk) 06:58, 10 February 2020 (UTC)


 * I remember trying to eat it as a kid but it tasted terrible, much too salty. Anyway, nothing happened.  You are fine.  Kids these days eat Tide pods instead.  Now that's dangerous. 73.93.155.38 (talk) 09:04, 10 February 2020 (UTC)
 * There's a study out there (can't find it offhand, as a storm is trying to take my phone out) on bacterial contamination in shared modelling dough in playgroups and its conclusion was that the salt was the only thing keeping the bugs down! Otherwise anything which combines stickiness, small children and being effectively uncleanable is getting the Monsters Inc. treatment from me! Andy Dingley (talk) 13:15, 10 February 2020 (UTC)
 * Just for info: "It is composed of flour, water, salt, borax, and mineral oil." But if you tried to swallow an entire pot, that might well prove to be a lethal choking hazard. Martinevans123 (talk) 13:20, 10 February 2020 (UTC)

Complex homeopathy
What is complex homeopathy? I note that Complex homeopathy redirects to Homeopathy, but the article appears to have no information on this subject. Freeknowledgecreator (talk) 09:20, 10 February 2020 (UTC)
 * Well the original article said "Complex homeopathy is a natural result of clinical homeopathy, usually a mix of low homeopathic potencies are used....."--Shantavira|feed me 12:49, 10 February 2020 (UTC)


 * (: I searched for “science of homeopathy” but accidentally, instead of google, pressed the dictionary search button and got this back: “Did you mean sense of humor?” :) In any case, in one book I found: "Complex homeopathy, which has a high prevalence in Germany, produces drugs that are combined by mixing different homeopathic remedies." Apparently A. Vogel's remedies are based on this. --Lambiam 13:40, 10 February 2020 (UTC)
 * Since people are dancing around it, we need to make clear that homeopathy is unmitigated bullshit, so complex homeopathy is just complex unmitigated bullshit. To wit "Despite the claims by the practitioners, homeopathic preparations are not effective for treating any medical condition...Clinical trials have generally demonstrated no objective effect from homeopathic preparations...Its lack of effectiveness has led to it being characterized within the scientific and medical communities as quackery and nonsense."  All of that would apply to "complex homeopathy" as well.  -- Jayron 32 14:13, 10 February 2020 (UTC)
 * Yes, if you combine various types of garbage, your result is still very likely to be garbage. Just "complex" garbage. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 14:56, 10 February 2020 (UTC)
 * Homeopathic remedies tend to have fewer and less severe adverse side effects than evidence-based medication, and all the proven beneficial effects of placebo medication. The classical style also helps one to remain hydrated, which promotes healing. --Lambiam 20:30, 10 February 2020 (UTC)
 * Surely the reality is that homeopathic remedies tend to have fewer effects than evidence-based medication, if any. Forget the "side effects". HiLo48 (talk) 20:40, 10 February 2020 (UTC)
 * I expect Lamb I Am is saying exactly that: "...all the proven beneficial effects of placebo medication." That is to say, none. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 21:59, 10 February 2020 (UTC)
 * Yes, and I know that's the absolute scientific position, one I largely agree with, but I also know that putting a Band-Aid on the slightly bruised finger of my two year old grand-daughter makes her very quickly forget about the bruise. HiLo48 (talk) 22:54, 10 February 2020 (UTC)


 * Some here might benefit from reading the article Placebo. It is generally accepted that placebos do work: not by any direct physical actions on the body, but rather by the effects that the action of taking them has on the mind – and hence the mind-affected body – of the taker, (even when they know it's a placebo). {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230 195} 90.205.58.107 (talk) 00:32, 11 February 2020 (UTC)


 * Unfortunately my local pharmacy doesn't stock them.--Shantavira|feed me 08:39, 11 February 2020 (UTC)
 * I rather like the idea of bringing out a range of placebos, with all the different marketing BS you can apply to them. "Placebo".  "New and Improved Placebo". "Herbal Placebo". "Original Placebo".  "MAX STRENGTH Placebo".  "Placebo FOR MEN". etc. Iapetus (talk) 12:22, 11 February 2020 (UTC)
 * Complex placebo... -- Jayron 32 12:56, 11 February 2020 (UTC)