Cartoons: Medical Mayhem

"Either I was accidentally using my iPod, or your heart beats to ‘We Will, We Will, Rock You’.” July/August 2013

“Either I was accidentally using my iPod, or your heart beats to ‘We Will, We Will, Rock You’.”
July/August 2013

“If they describe this as chicken soup, how are they ever going to identify my gallstones? July/August 1997

“If they describe this as chicken soup, how are they ever going to identify my gallstones?
July/August 1997

“Is this magazine really two years old, or have I just been waiting here that long?” January/February 2013

“Is this magazine really two years old, or have I just been waiting here that long?”
January/February 2013

“You’ll laugh when I tell you that little Tabby got down out of the tree all by herself” October 22, 1960

“You’ll laugh when I tell you that little Tabby got down out of the tree all by herself”
October 1960

“The doctor will see you now. Did you bring a stool sample?” September/October 2001

“The doctor will see you now. Did you bring a stool sample?”
September/October 2001

"I’d offer you a tissue, but they’re 87 cents each.” July/August 1997

“I’d offer you a tissue, but they’re 87 cents each.”
July/August 1997

“Where’s the recovery room?” December 1975

“Where’s the recovery room?”
December 1975

What to Eat When You Have a Cold

Chicken Noodle Soup
Studies show that chicken soup actually does relieve congestion and other cold symptoms.

There’s a lot of folk wisdom floating around out there. Let’s separate fact from fiction.

False: Feed a cold and starve a fever. Not true, says Post dietitian Elise Lindstrom, R.D. Instead, the best remedy for both is plenty of nutrient-rich foods, water, de-caffeinated tea, and juices. Lindstrom’s menu of healing foods also includes oatmeal and whole wheat pasta for energy; yogurt to support the immune system; and apples, cranberries, and tomato sauce to fight inflammation.

True: Sip a delicious bowl of steaming chicken soup. In studies, chicken soup actually did relieve congestion and other cold symptoms.

False: Avoid dairy products. Counter to popular wisdom, dairy products don’t worsen runny noses after all, according to a review of studies.

False: Toss back a shot of whiskey. Turns out Grandpa’s favorite antidote didn’t hold up to clinical tests: alcohol only worsens a cold’s dehydrating effects.