Dear Doctor Dysphoric:

Very sad news. Well, mixed news. I have decided to leave the United States for part of my "sabbatical." I feel quite mixed about this upcoming leave of absence. IWhile I am quite excited about this trip and adventures ahead, I am sad that Dear Doctor Dysphoric has to fall by the wayside. I really wanted to discuss the recent case in the medical literature of 36 year old Jewish woman who was diagnosed with Pica after chomping on up to six packs of Tic Tacs and Halls within 36 hours. Perhaps we can address this case and diagnosis and treatment of Pica before I leave.

There is a possibility that Dr. D might start a different kind of blog while away. My publicists will post the blog address here, if and when this project is realized. Thank you all for your insightful medical questions over the last month.

Dear Doctor Dysphoric:

In the comments on the last post, you said "don't get sick in July." What are you talking about?

--Worried I may get sick in July


Dear Worried--

"Don't get sick in July" is a joke in the academic medical community. Not a very funny joke, actually. The academic medical calendar generally begins in July. Medical students, Housestaff (interns and residents), and new faculty are promoted. Former junior medical students become senior medical students. former senior medical students become new interns, former interns become new first year residents, and so on and so on. The upshot is that nobody knows how to do their new job. So we warn our loved ones not to get sick until August (or September, even better).

It is just a joke. Everybody in the hospital has supervision, of course. Except I am not supervising them because I am on leave. So maybe don't get sick in Northern Manhattan in July. Oh yes, it's OK, because Dr. Anhedonic will be there for you. If you need critical care, Dr. FEV1 will be there in the ICU. And Bugs and Drugs should be back from Poland any day now. Go ahead and get sick. We'll tell the medical students to stay away from Dear Doctor Dysphoric readers.

Both pics are courtesy of WHO. The pic on the left shows students and Housestaff on ward rounds in the hospital. On the right are medical students talking to women in the "women's ward."

Dear Doctor Dysphoric:

A friend of a friend told me about "Salvia," an herb that you can buy in tobacco shops. Apparently this plant has hallucinogenic effects when smoked. Have you heard of this ? Is it bad for you?

--Trippin' in Brooklyn


Dear Trippin':

I see many complications of substance abuse in my practice. However, up here in Washington Heights we generally stick to the more traditional drugs, such as cocaine, alcohol, and tobacco. I help patch up the organs they destroy (heart, liver, and lungs, respectively). I do not know anything about Saliva, or its effects when smoked. I am always up for learning about new substances for abuse, however. I will search the medical literature and get back to you.

--Doctor Dysphoric