Hi Jose, Thank you much for your very studied responses. I read them carefully. I noticed the shift in your standards as I proceeded reading along. First you claimed that references are needed for everything, including oral presentation (by your medical students). On questions about YOUR teaching presentations, you claim needing references only on PUBLISHED material.
I reviewed YOUR web site TGF. Under "Advisory" about travel to Goa, I read the following which is "cut and paste". I reproduced only the medical information, since this was WRITTEN BY YOU, with your name and degree at the bottom. I noticed there were NO REFERENCES in the body of the text, NOR a listing of references at the end of the presentation. Do I presume that the following statements are ALL YOUR PERSONAL "research and original findings?" Some are recommendations - by whom? Are your opinions and conclusions in / on Goa backed by any studies? Should you not be providing a list of references (credit the sources) for the many definitive statements and scientific recommendation? Or is this one standard for you and another for other supurlo Goenkars like me? Or would you say that the TGF web site is not "published material"? And if you credit the source, according to Santosh, you can 'plagiarize'. But how does one know, if the source / reference is not given? Perhaps now we know why some 'insist' to others on references, while not doing it themselves.:=)) And if one provides the reference, is this reference the original source, who deserves the credit? I am not claiming this presentation on your web blog is wrong or the information is fraudulent. I think it is helpful. It is just that you are not following what you so righteously insist others should do. Are you a self-righteous moralist preaching to others? I hope this can be my last post on this tet-a-tet. On this Saturday while I am on call, I enjoyed doing some research on your research, which was researching somebody else's research.:=)) :=)) Kind Regards, GL >From TGF WEB SITE - travel advisory to Goa 12. Inoculations : Assuming that all the immunizations of childhood are completed, immunization is recommended against Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A&B. Vaccination should also be considered against Japanese Encephalitis, Typhoid, Cholera and Meningococcal infections. If a stop-over is planned in Africa, the yellow fever vaccine is recommended. Typhoid fever : is transmitted usually through contaminated food and water (watch the pani-puri). This disease is common and the risk of contracting infection can be lowered by following the food and water precautions listed above. There are two vaccines currently available for the prevention of typhoid fever. The oral vaccine is available in the form of a capsule to be taken every other day for 4 doses. A booster is required every 5 years. The injectable vaccine ViCPS is administered once every two years. It is important to note that the efficacy of the vaccine is not 100% and that the precautions should be followed meticulously. Cholera : a severe diarrhoeal disease transmitted mainly through contaminated water and food. The strike rate for Goa at this moment is low and once food and water safety precautions are followed, vaccination against cholera becomes 'very optional' unless a trip to the Ganges area is planned. Hepatitis A : is a viral infection usually transmitted through uncooked food, water, shellfish and ice. The risk for this infection is high. For short-term protection, a dose of Immunoglobulin ( IG ) is recommended. But for a prolonged stay, it is advisable to avail of the vaccination against this disease. There are two vaccines currently recommended : Havrix and Vaqta. Please contact your local physician and seek advice about what is available in your country and what dosage is recommended. Hepatitis B : is mainly transmitted through sexual activity and upon receiving inadequately screened blood. The incidence of Hepatitis B in India is high and vaccination is strongly recommended. The vaccination schedule should be commenced at least 6 months before the planned departure to India in order to complete the full schedule of immunization. It is important to remember that contact with infected individuals who have open skin lesions, also may result in infection. Hepatitis E: Like Hepatitis A, this virus is spread through contaminated food or water. It appears to affect adults more than it affects children, and recovery without chronic liver disease is the norm. Fatalities are rare except in women who contract the infection during pregnancy. This infection is endemic in India, though significant infections were not reported in Goa prior to this 2003 outbreak. At this moment, no vaccine is available for prevention of Hepatitis E. Meningococcal disease : causes a severe infection of the brain. Vaccination is advised particularly if the port of entry is New Delhi. This disease which is more prevalent in the Northern part of India, occurs year around. Japanese Encephalitis : is more common in rural rice-field areas and occurs mainly during the monsoon season. It causes a severe swelling of the brain called encephalitis. While there is no drug to treat the disease a vaccine JE-VAX is available for the prevention of this disease. There has recently been a serious outbreak of this disease in North Central India. Travelers are advised to either be vaccinated against this disease or avoid the region altogether. At this moment, the risk of contracting this disease in Goa is small. Vaccination should be seriously considered for individuals planning to reside in the rural areas especially during the monsoon season. The vaccine is administered in 3 doses. Pregnant women and individuals with a history of multiple allergies should not be administered this vaccine. Leptospirosis: is a bacterial disease associated with wild and domestic animals. It causes severe symptoms including fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice and a rash. It is easily treatable with antibiotics like Penicillin and Doxycycline. It is primarily an occupational disease that affects those whose occupation involves contact with animals, especially rats. Individuals who walk barefoot through infected puddles ( as after monsoon flooding ) are at risk. This condition is found all over the world and visitors to Goa are NOT at special risk of contracting this disease. 13. Paedophilia : Of late, Goa has received some attention, albeit unwelcome, relating to this totally abhorrent crime by tourists against children. Almost every single paedophile identified so far, has been from Europe. If you are a paedophile, please do not practice it in Goa or on Goans. They are virulently opposed to it and have been sensitized to this offence. Goa is one of the most beautiful places in the world. There are several magnificent churches, temples, waterfalls, beaches, mosques and historical places of interest. However, the part of Goa you will enjoy the most is its people, food and music. No place on earth can truly duplicate the experience of Goa - not now - not ever. Have a safe flight...a good trip and do let us know, how your trip was. J.Colaço, MD
