[Myrddin]

My grad school immunology professor related a sad tale from a prior year. He took the class to the vivarium to show them where the rabbits used to generate anti-serum are kept. One of the students immediately developed breathing problems and died of anaphylactic shock in front of the class. It was a harsh introduction to the brutality of the immune system.

Some weeks later we each performed a simple blood test on our own blood. A mix of fine Teflon balls is mixed with the blood sample and gently rocked on the slide to mix. Antigens and antibodies in the serum coat the balls. If there is an auto immune mix, the balls clump hard. My fellow students were much annoyed when 10 minutes of gently rocking netted no results. When I did it, my slide clumped with only 3 tips of the slide. Oops. A warning that rheumatoid arthritis was in my future. I was 20 years old at the time. Last week the bill came due. I'm 56 and the classic joint problems presented in my left hand joints and wrist.

The immune system is a wonderful thing, but it can also be very damaging.

[Gator113]

Very interesting story. Sorry about the rheumatoid arthritis. I am 64 and rheumatoid arthritis is starting up, I think, and just adds to my long list of issues.

Getting old isn’t for sissies. ;>)