Popocatépetl – Mexico

2019-05-29

Popocatépetl – Mexico

Location: Mexico
Peak: 5452 m a. s. l.

Popocatépetl volcano lies about 72 km south-west of the capital of Mexico, it is the second largest peak of the country. Popocatépetl is connected by a pass with a height of 3000 meters above sea level. Paso de Cortés and the second volcano – Iztaccihuatl. The top of the mountain is covered with snow and ice throughout the year. Often, over the top, visible clouds appear that arise from ongoing volcanic processes. The highest volcanic activity took place in 1994, when ash and gases covered an area of 25 km.

The Aztecs considered the mountain to be holy. According to their mythology, the volcano depicts a Popocatépetl warrior in which the Princess Iztaccihuatl fell in love. Her father, however, was not sympathetic to their feelings and sent the young man to war. The princess lied to him, claiming that Popocatépetl died in battle. Iztaccihuatl died of sorrow for her beloved. When the man returned from the war and learned about her death, his heart could not stand and he also died of grief. Gods turned lovers into snow-covered mountains. Locals believe that eruptions are the image of Popocatépetl drama – In Aztec language, this word means “Smokey Mountain”.

Due to volcanic activity, the mountain is guarded by the army, and only groups of scientists have access to it.

Deadly plants – Which are the most poisonous

2019-01-172019-01-19

Deadly plants – Which are the most poisonous

Deadly plants – Although some of them look completely harmless, they can contain a cocktail of toxic substances. Venom developed so that no one could prevent them from growing. Plant poisons have a different effect on the human body. They most often attack the nervous system, respiratory organs, heart, liver, digestive system or kidneys. They can also affect muscle function, cause brain damage and even lead to death.

List of the most poisonous plants:

– Aconitum napellus – One of the most poisonous plants

– Atropa belladonna – Most dangerous in Central Europe

– Oleander – Nerium oleander

– Datura stramonium – Weed appearing on fertile soils

– Cicuta virosa – It is 150 centimeters high

– Conium maculatum – Related to carrots, parsley, caraway

– Abrus precatorius – Originates from tropical Asia

– Colchicum autumnale – Protected and very poisonous

– Ricinus communis – Castor oil plant

Oleander – Nerium oleander

2019-01-17

Oleander – Nerium oleander

Oleander – Nerium oleander – This beautifully blooming shrub belongs to the most common plants not only in the countries of the Mediterranean.

Deadly dose: 2 leaves
Death: in few hours
Poison: oleander
Aftermath: cardiac arrhythmia
Where it grows: from the Mediterranean, through North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, to southern Asia
Occurrence in Poland: artificially bred

In order to say goodbye to your life, it’s enough to chew on one leaf. The honey obtained from oleander flowers may also be toxic. The first signs of intoxication include vomiting, fever and dizziness. The substance directly attacks the heart and increases muscle tone.

History of the plant:
Together with Conium maculatum was the most popular medieval poison. It was used as a means to control rats and mice. In the past, many people lost their lives because they roasted meat on oleander branches.

Atropa belladonna – Most dangerous in Central Europe

2019-01-172019-01-18

Atropa belladonna – Most dangerous in Central Europe

Atropa belladonna – This plant is considered the most dangerous in Central Europe. Its all parts are very toxic.

Deadly dose: 10 – 12 fruits
Death: in few hours
Poison: atropine, hyoscyamine
Aftermath: nervous system and heart rate weakness, stopping breathing
Where it grows: most of Europe, some places in Africa and Asia
Occurrence in Poland: yes

The big danger lies in the fact that its shiny fruits can be easily confused with edible forest fruits. Man can poison not only through direct consumption, but also through goat’s milk or meat, if animal earlier ate it. Typical symptoms of poisoning are dilated pupils, an accelerated pulse or redness on the face. There may also be hallucinations and loss of consciousness.

History of the plant:
Atropa belladonna was a component of shampoo drinks and ointments, because after applying to the skin it caused hallucinations – a man seemed to be able to fly.
In ancient Rome, the wives of Emperor Augustus and Claudius poisoned them with a shout. Medieval women applied drops of juice to their eyes. It was to guarantee them beautiful, large eyes. In this way, they risked not only conjunctivitis and eye deterioration, but death as well. Atropine in eye tests doctors are using today.

Aconitum napellus – One of the most poisonous plants

2019-01-17

Aconitum napellus – One of the most poisonous plants

Aconitum napellus – One of the most poisonous plants.

Deadly dose: 3 – 5 mg
Death: in few hours
Poison: aconitine
Aftermath: heart and respiratory paralysis
Where it grows: in Western Europe and eastern North America
Occurrence in Poland: yes

All parts of this dark blue plant contain aconitine. The flower should not be touched (the poison is so strong that it can penetrate the body by applying a leaf to the skin). Poisoning does not occur often, mostly because the man has mistaken the root of the plant with horseradish or other root vegetables. Ingestion causes mouth burning, salivation, vomiting and fluctuations in blood pressure. In medicine, a tuber of aconite is used that reduces temperature in limited doses.

History of the plant:
In the Middle Ages it was used to poison swords and arrowheads. Teutons used venom during magical shamanic rituals, it was also a component of fairy ointments.

First human heart transplant – management Christiaan Barnard

2017-01-242017-09-18

First human heart transplant – management Christiaan Barnard

First human heart transplant – management Christiaan Barnard – In 03.12.1967 medical team under the direction of Professor Christiaan Barnard, South African heart surgeon. Performed at the hospital Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, the first human heart transplant operation.

Valuable properties omega-3

2017-01-162017-09-21

Valuable properties omega-3

Valuable properties omega-3 – Omega-3 fatty acid must be constantly supplied to our body with food, because it can not synthesize them itself. Omega-3 has a lot of valuable properties, including reduce the risk of heart disease and cardiovascular, diabetes or cancer. Among the many vegetable oils, omega-3 contains linseed oil which is fragile. Second place is rapeseed oil, which has 10 times more of these valuable fatty acids than olive oil.

William Harvey – Anatomist and physiologist

2017-01-162018-02-13

William Harvey – Anatomist and physiologist

William Harvey – Anatomist and physiologist – In 01. 04. 1578 was born anatomist and physiologist William Harvey. As the first, in 1628 described the construction and operation of the bloodstream. He showed that the contraction of the heart is the origin of the muscle. His discoveries made through experiments on dogs. The result of his discoveries were the first, unsuccessful transfusions and dissemination of treatment bloodletting.

Threat associated with stress

2017-01-142017-09-13

Threat associated with stress

Threat associated with stress – Stress arising through work or school, can lead to serious health problems. Such as cardiovascular diseases or the development of depression. Engineers from the lab ETH Zurich have developed in connection with this small device that allows you to measure stress levels. The instrument combines the measurement of skin conductance, heart rate and breathing with the measurement of stress hormones in saliva.

Insomnia – Is one of the diseases of civilization

2017-01-082018-06-07

Insomnia – Is one of the diseases of civilization

Insomnia – Is one of the diseases of civilization. Which seriously affects the state of human health. American specialists found that insomnia increases the concentration of inflammatory hormones in the body. What can manifest itself, among others, poorer functioning blood vessels, consequently leading to heart attack or stroke.

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Deadly plants – Which are the most poisonous