Thursday, February 21, 2019
Where have all the ulcers gone?
In radio and TV shows before 1970, businessmen always complained about their ulcers. It wasn't just on TV. When I was a kid I heard adults talking about ulcers in the same way. An ulcer was a status symbol as well as a disease. It was an indication that you had arrived in the world of business. An ulcer was the male equivalent of a mink coat. The proud ulcer owner made a big show of drinking milk in between martinis.
Later, of course, it turned out that ulcers were secondarily related to stress but primarily caused by Helicobacter pylori.
I haven't heard ANYTHING about ulcers since that discovery. Not in media, not on "science" websites. The subject has completely disappeared.
Have ulcers disappeared? Skimming online, the answer seems to be negative. Some British articles say ulcers are actually increasing.
Conclusion: Bacteria aren't a good status symbol.
Labels: Asked and partly answered
¶ 11:47 PM
