Posted on 12/29/2005 5:05:37 AM PST by Pharmboy
A 73-year-old Inuit woman was referred for a barium enema after an incomplete colonoscopy. A preliminary abdominal radiograph showed that the appendix was completely full of lead shot, with the contour of the appendix easily visualized. The natives of northern and western Alaska hunt waterfowl in the spring and fall and often inadvertently swallow some of the lead shot embedded in the meat. Although most of the metal undoubtedly passes through the intestine over time, buckshot in the appendix is commonly seen in Alaskan natives (but usually not to the extent pictured here). Decades of ingestion probably resulted in this large accumulation. It is likely that poor dentition and advanced age are aggravating factors that prevent detection of the lead during mastication. A round piece of buckshot can be seen on the patient's right above the appendix — probably evidence of a recent meal.
a great story to start the day with
It is now obvious that there is a purpose for the organ. The appendix is designed to isolate ingested lead shot.
Now I know what my football coach meant when he told us to "get the lead out!"
We are told that 'poor people' living in 'the ghetto' get lead poisoning from eating a few lead based paint chips (apparently the store is always out of Corn Flakes), yet this woman has been eating LEAD PELLETS for about 50 years.
So shouldn't she - and all Eskimos (Inuit) for that matter, BE DEAD????
Elemental lead is not well absorbed; however, the lead salts used in paints are absorbed and can therefore cause problems. Good question...
Those look snall for double-0 buck, but a bit large for birdshot. Good point...perhaps a shotgun expert can give us their opinion.
LOL! Deductive reasoning at its best...
Some folks use #4 shoot on geese.
And in the name of efficiency, a ping for Joe.
i thought everyone used #4 on geese?
Isn't it against Federal law to shoot waterfowl with lead shot?
I've gone to bismuth and it's darned expensive....guess I'll move to Alaska where I can use lead again. It's so much better at taking down birds anyway.
Lead in metallic form is not very soluble (obviously) therefore not very toxic. Lead in a chemical compound is a different matter, although I do think they make a little too much of the lead hazard. OTOH, most of those affected are small children, who due to still developing and their small body mass are much more sensitive to many chemicals.
So THAT's what we have an appendix for!
Great minds think alike!
You confuse Federal law and the Alaskan native population. Actually any law and any native population. For the most part law doesnt apply to them, or if it does, they do not pay any attention to it.
The answer to your glib question is obvious. If the shot were digestable and absorbable, she would be dead. It's not. So what's your point with the accented quotes.... that 'poor people' and 'the ghetto' probably don't exist, or that they prefer to eat lead paint instead of corn flakes?
The Indians where I live along the Yukon spend what money they get on booze. The river provides most of their seasonal foods which they prefer over white mans food. Ya, they'll take porcupine over pizza everytime.
Right after ice out, the ducks start flyin the river flyway. The village is right along river so everyone has a shotgun with them at all times. The ducks drop in all the backwater sloughs and ponds along the river. You see ducks fly by and soon hear shotguns. They live off duck for about a month. Someone gets 10-30 ducks, they hand them out to all the elders and sure makes people happy.
Personally, I don't like shootin ducks in spring, my white mans morality but its like thanksgiving for them. One time we snuck in on about 50 ducks and my native friend told me to take the 20 to the left. I said you can't shoot them on the water, he looked at me like I was simple. Then he said thats the only way he could get alot of them, ha. What its all about to natives, food.
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