On my question last night, “What do you think of a person who demands the right to have an abortion, and then gets mad if anyone finds out?” (do a search if you want to see it, since Y!A is filtering out any question with links), I wrote the following:

“Pro-Choicers are always adamantly proclaiming that abortion is an inalienable right which Mother Nature apparently forgot to give to our cavemen ancestors.”

And Fereshte responded with:

“Mother Nature DIDN’T forget to give this fundamental right to our cavemen ancestors. There have been known herbs and herbal concoctions for abortions around for thousands and thousands of years. The Romans did it, as did the Egyptians. Middle Age Europe did it. This isn’t new information.”

Now, I could be wrong, but I had been under the impression that the first human beings weren’t born with a natural, divinely-inspired understanding of botanical medicine–which is sort of the point. Also, while I admit I don’t have a degree in History or anything, I am fairly certain that the Roman and Egyptian empires, and Middle Age societies did NOT take place in the Stone Age. So it boggles my mind trying to understand why any thinking person would consider this a rational argument.

Bonus Question: What does this tell you about the mentality of Pro-Choicers? Do you think these are the sorts of people who should be allowed to vote, or do they seem like the kind of people who support any argument that gives them an excuse to do what they want?
Since a number of people are clearly confused about what “natural right” means, see my recent answer to Feminist Pride’s question. The point is that for something to be a “natural right” it would have existed among the FIRST humans. Not just “some of the earliest people,” but it would have existed in the ABSENCE of any human civilization. Yes, botanical medicine is very old. Does that mean the VERY FIRST humans had it? This really isn’t a difficult point to get if you’re actually trying to follow the debate.
Jade: If you feel you have a valid counterargument, you’re free to present it. What you typed just makes me think you aren’t paying attention. Which is fine, but then don’t tell me my arguments are weak.

MK: I didn’t say we shouldn’t do things that are unnatural. We’re discussing what is or isn’t a natural right.

Ive had four abortions this year, and thank god for that.

Imagine if I did have those children. I would be the worst mother ever, I would never bother to clothe them, I can’t even look after those plastic Baby Born dolls without dropping them on their head about twelve times in an hour.

What I would like to enlighten you people on, is the history of abortions.

The Hippocratic Oath, the chief statement of medical ethics for Hippocratic physicians in Ancient Greece, forbade doctors from helping to procure an abortion by pessary. Soranus, a second-century Greek physician, suggested in his work Gynaecology that women wishing to abort their pregnancies should engage in energetic exercise, energetic jumping, carrying heavy objects, and riding animals. He also prescribed a number of recipes for herbal baths, pessaries, and bloodletting, but advised against the use of sharp instruments to induce miscarriage due to the risk of organ perforation. It is also believed that, in addition to using it as a contraceptive, the ancient Greeks relied upon silphium as an abortifacient. Such folk remedies, however, varied in effectiveness and were not without risk. Tansy and pennyroyal, for example, are two poisonous herbs with serious side effects that have at times been used to terminate pregnancy.

During the medieval period, physicians in the Islamic world documented detailed and extensive lists of birth control practices, including the use of abortifacients, commenting on their effectiveness and prevalence.[63] They listed many different birth control substances in their medical encyclopedias, such as Avicenna listing 20 in The Canon of Medicine (1025) and Muhammad ibn Zakariya ar-Razi listing 176 in his Hawi (10th century). This was unparalleled in European medicine until the 19th century.[64][Need quotation on talk to verify]

During the Middle Ages, abortion was tolerated because there were no laws against it.[65] A medieval female physician, Trotula of Salerno, may have been the first woman gynecologist and administered a number of remedies for the “retention of menstrua,” which was sometimes a code for early abortifacients.
_______

Anyways, as you can see. Abortions have been tolerated throughout society, even within the Middle Ages. This whole new idea of Abortion is Murder is a very recent idea indeed.

I beleive in womans rights, Its my body and Its my right to get as many abortions as I want, and I should be allowed to.

And please note, Abortions were around long before Jesus! And during his time aswell, if he had any issue with abortions. He would have clearly said so. Since he lived through that period without having any problem with it, then obviously there’s no problem with it.

What do you have to say this?

Grade 10th
Class Global History Regents
Value Extra Credit

Task – Identify two cultures who experienced a Golden Age and explain how their achievements continue to influence the modern world.

A Golden Age can be defined as a period in the time of a civilization where prosperity, peace, and happiness are all present. It is a time when business flourishes and great advancements are made. Athens, a small city-state of Greece, exhibited these qualities during the 5th century. In India such advancements were made during the Gupta Dynasty. In the fields of philosophy, architecture, education, government, medicine, and mathematics advancements were made. It was during these periods of prosperity and peace that discoveries were made to impact our modern world today.

From the end of the Persian Wars in 448 BCE to the death of Pericles in 429 BC Athenians experienced what would later be referred to as the Age of Pericles, or Golden Age of Athens. Under the ruling of Pericles democracy was taken to new heights. This direct democracy allowed only male citizens to debate over Athenian laws. It was Pericles who set up the idea of having juries to determine the validity of a defendant’s alibi. It was the phrase “innocent until proven guilty” that would effect the judicial systems of many prospering nations to come. In field of mathematics Hellenistic thinkers such as Pythagoras calculated the relationship between sides of right triangles using his theorem. A famous mathematician, Euclid, is referred to as the “Father of Geometry” because of his impact on mathematics. He wrote a book called The Elements that published a multitude of math equations and formulas still in use today.

Along with these fields Athens contributed their knowledge of medicine to the modern world. Hippocrates, a Greek physician, studied pathology, the study of diseases and their cause of illness. He searched for many cures and came up with the “Hippocratic Oath” that all physicians must take to ensure the ethical practice of medicine. In the field of physics and engineering, Archimedes invented many practical devices such as the lever and pulley enabling more difficult jobs to be accomplished. One of the world’s greatest philosophers, Socrates flourished during this prosperous time in Greek history. He invented the “Socratic Method” of questioning. Athens is however most duly noted for its use of Greek columns made of marble and the concept of idealized realism in Greek artwork. Idealized realism is the practice used by Greek artists that portrays the human form very realistically in a perfect form.

While Athens was in a time of affluence and tranquility the Gupta Empire in India was experiencing a similar feeling. The Gupta Empire reigned from 280 to 550 CE. The achievements of the Gupta Empire were as everlasting as the Greek’s. It was the Indians who emphasized the concept of zero and the decimal system based on the number 10. Arabic numerals were also a byproduct of the Golden Age. In field of medicine the Gupta Dynasty went as far as inventing plastic surgery to repair facial injuries. Physicians in India also vaccinated against smallpox, a practice later adopted by Europe, China, and other developing nations. These physicians also developed herbal remedies to treat various illnesses.

Indian architecture went as far as Buddhists recreating shrines to house the remains of select holy people. These structures known as Stupas would make their way to China where it was slightly altered and renamed the pagoda. Gupta literature consists of fables and folktales written in Sanskrit. These stories spread westward and influenced many literary works such as, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and Aladdin and his Magic Lamp. The famous writer Kalidasa wrote the Sakuntala, a tale of love of sorrow. His poetry and plays influenced by Hindu mythology and philosophy can be compared to that of Shakespeare.

Both civilizations held certain conditions that aided in the accumulation of achievements that would influence the modern world. Their Golden Age characteristics acted as a catalyst for promoting advanced thinking and revolutions in medicine, mathematics, and government. Arabic numerals, the decimal system, and the concept of zero are still taught in school systems worldwide. The Elements is still the foundation of modern day Euclidean geometry. The invention of the lever and pulley has enabled advances in construction over the years. The “Hippocratic Oath”, vaccine of smallpox, herbal remedies, and plastic surgery, have saved numerous lives over the years and acted as a gateway to other medicinal discoveries.

The direct democracy of Athens influenced the early United States of America to choose a variation of democracy as their body of government. In the United States our legislative and judicial branch still hold true that a defendant is “innocent until proven guilty” with the use of jury systems composed of citizens. Ionic, Corinthi

I am 30 years old and I have been taking the same birth control (ortho-tricyclen) since right before I turned 18, and have never been off-schedule, or had any trouble w/ it. In 3 days, I will have been on my period for THREE weeks!
I know that everyone is going to say “go to a doctor” -which I am going to do, but it is going to be at least a few days before I can. -I work 2 jobs and attend college. -I’m not looking for an online diagnosis, but I would like an idea of what could be happening w/ me. Here are some details, if it helps…
-No kids and I’m not, nor have I ever been pregnant
-No family history of any “female” cancers
-No clots or clumps, or heavy bleeding -it’s more like really heavy spotting
-I’m not in any pain -not even the backaches or cramps that go along w/ periods
-I use tampons, but have been alternating w/ pads, just to make sure I haven’t SOMEHOW injured myself w/ the application of a tampon
-I verified that one did not get left inside by mistake
-No fever, so I have a hard time believing it is an infection
-No urinary trouble
-My last 2 or 3 periods were extremely light and short, so I am hoping that this is just my body’s way of playing catch-up…if that is possible!
-I’ve not taken any sort of medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements that would alter the effectiveness of my birth control
All this being said, I am completely stumped! -And I am sorry to share so many details about my insides, but as I said, I would like to have an idea of what may be happening w/ me. Nothing has ever happened to me like this before, and I am a little scared, so I would appreciate only serious answers, and again -no “go see a doctor” answers, since I will be doing that soon anyway.
Thank you in advance to anybody who has any advice for me.

A have Schizotypal personality disorder. It is for the most part controlled through habit/behavior, common sense and counseling. My biggest problem is paranoia, especially with people. I have a long history of bad reactions to pharmaceuticals so I take no modern medicine unless necessary. I occasionally take common herbal teas or tinctures instead (mint, ginger, lemon, garlic, st john’s wort etc. nothing too strange). Is there a gentle acting herb that can help me cope with paranoia. no need to turn me into a zombie. I may actually (finally) be able to fully control my illness if i can find a herb that works.

I’m a 24 year old female in the midst of making a family. While I will ALWAYS carefully consider any herb I take. I would like to be told (if you know…) if any herbs listed should be avoided while pregnant or breast feeding.
Please stick with herbal or natural suggestions.

To clarify I was diagnosed with SPD by my adolescent counselor/therapist after two years of observation and cognitive therapy. she then continued to observe and treat me for about another two years. we tried one med, when it made me very depressed we both decided I was most likely better off without meds for the most part. spd symptoms can become better or worse depending on my exposure to long term stress and anxiety. so constant counseling and therapy are required for me.
I have no previous trauma that could have induced my illness.

As a general rule one of three things happen when i take ANY neurological pharmaceuticals.
I become severely depressed.
I become Psychotic/aggressive.
I have a seizure usually localized. sometimes general or atonic.
I have 5 different physician and thrapist who have observed this issue.

My paranoia is centered on people related topics (EG – germs, intimacy…) it easier to say people.

His dr advised him to undergo a chemotherapy but he refused to. 2 yrs has passed by without taking any medicine except for herbal tea, and careful about his foods. Since december 2010, 2x he felt unusual on his lower part of his abdomen. According to him..its very painful. He said it might be prostate… because his old brother died due to prostate cancer. and fyi, they have a history of cancer. Now, i want him to undergo a citiscan from brain up to his whole torso and then ill show to his dr. the result. Im just worried if ill let him to undergo on CT scan procedure is it harmful to a cancer patient like him?because ctscan is one kind of radiation. The cacer cells might be more active…….pls need your advice…thanks

since it’s 3 A.M. I assume other people must have a similar problem. I cannot fall asleep, I have had this problem since I was young, as far back as six according to my journals. I have tried so many things. As soon as I lay down my mind wanders and I think of crazy scenarios where I am like trapped on an island with my history teacher or I worry frantically over an embarassing thing I said when I was younger. How do I take my mind off of this? Or is there like a medicine or herbal tea or somehting I can try?

I have anxiety and sleep issues. My doctor didnt want to give me ambien plus a benzo so she issued lorazopam. I seem to need about 2-2.5mg for it to help my sleep and about 2 mg to get anxiety relief. Would it be better to go to diazapam? ( generic for valium) it is said that it is used to taper off of benzo’s. I just want some decent points to bring up to my doc.

Just to clarify my history i was on xanax and requested to be off of it. Thus i recieved lorazopam.

Whats your ideas? If your a doctor please indicate so to.

Thanks for your help.

P.S i have been diagnosed with bipolar as well but herbal medicines have treated this. I just need help with the anxiety now.

As a child I was sick for epilepsy but it was completely healed, I had a head injury after which most likely fell ill with epilepsy when I was about 4 years. When I recovered I about 15 years, largely due to Chinese herbal medicine, appeared in my country (Poland) in the late 90′s.
As I said I was cured of epilepsy, I took the medicine prescribed by a doctor (Depakine), but when the EEG showed that I no longer have epilepsy doctor decided to discontinue the drug because it was no longer needed.
I went to the annual event organized by Red Cross for university students, I wanted to donate blood filled out the questionnaire, the questions were whether Did i have HIV, use illegal drugs / alcohol or STDs? and the medical history. In medical history section There was question “Do you have suffered from epilepsy?” I selected yes . Then the doctor told me that I can not be a blood donor because I was sick from epilepsy. What does it matter, after a long time I do not suffer from epilepsy, I have a normal EEG. The next time I check the answer NO
I would like to know what is important is that I have been ill with epilepsy to the possibility of being a potential blood donor. Did I infect someone epilepsy?, which moreover do not suffer for a long time;-)
I am a student, I’m 25 years old and normal EEG results, such as other people have

I’m in eleventh grade at a charter school academy, I am horrible with mathematics, but I do really well in all of my english, history, and science based classes…In chemistry however, I’m not doing so well, I’m at a C plus, but I can pull that up before the end of the trimester. Anyway, early on in the summer I had decided that I wanted a career in herbal medicine. I would really like to travel to England and open my own herbal pharmacy, but I’ll most likely be stuck in the state that I’m in now.

I’ve found a school that I shall look into further that has an herbal medicine course. It looks as if that’s what the school is for, but I’m not sure, as I’ve just begun to read about it. My question is, to go into the “field” that I’m planning to, do I really need to go to a community college or a university and take classes there that are not related to it? Can I not simply study that particular subject and take classes for it without having raked up a large amount of debt? It’s been drilled into my head over and over in school that if you want to make a good amount of money, you need to go to college and take all of these different classes, but why can’t I just specialise in one thing and then support a family with that career? I’m still not completely sure that this is what I want to do, but after thinking over many different occupations, anything (I’m still not sure what I could do) having to do with herbal medicine is my favourite. It would be the most enjoyable out of them all as I’m greatly interested in it…and after all, who wants to dislike their work?