Phactum - 2011 10 - October

Magazine Overview

This issue of Phactum, dated October 2011, is the newsletter and propaganda organ of the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking (PhACT). It features a cover headline focusing on "The Reality of Civil War Medicine and its Interpretation," with a prominent quote from General Lee. The issue includes details about an upcoming PhACT meeting on October 15, 2011, at the Community College of Philadelphia, where Dr. David Cattell and Robert D. Hicks will discuss Civil War medicine.

Articles and Features

"Straight and swift to my wounded I go": The Reality of Civil War Medicine and its Interpretation

This feature article explores the often-overlooked aspect of Civil War medicine, contrasting popular fictional portrayals with the reality. It highlights that major components of modern trauma handling developed during the war. The article references Walt Whitman's observations that the war's true story was found in hospitals and mentions that the Civil War claimed nearly two percent of the country's population. It also notes that the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War will see many commemorations. The article is accompanied by an image of Daughters of Charity nursing wounded Civil War soldiers at Satterlee Hospital and a quote from Clara Barton.

On page 2, the article continues, discussing an upcoming exhibit at the Mütter Museum in 2013 titled "Broken Bodies, Suffering Spirits: Injury, Death, and Healing in Civil War Philadelphia." It highlights Turner's Lane Hospital in Philadelphia as a pioneering facility for rehabilitative care and the birthplace of American neurology. Dr. Hicks will supplement the presentation with medical artifacts from the Mütter Museum. An image depicts amputation being performed in a hospital tent in Gettysburg, PA, and another shows a Civil War amputation kit.

"The Wound Dresser" by Walt Whitman

Pages 3 and 4 feature a poem by Walt Whitman titled "The Wound Dresser," which vividly describes his experiences as a volunteer nurse tending to wounded soldiers during the Civil War. The poem details the grim realities of the battlefield hospitals, the care provided to the injured, and the emotional toll on the caregiver.

Letters to the Editor

• Several letters are included:
• Ed Gracely comments on the use of the word "infectious" by an 18th-century housewife, questioning its meaning before the establishment of germ theory.
• Tom Medero humorously notes the distant familial connections between Dick Cheney, Harry S. Truman, and Barack Obama.
• Howard J. Wilk strongly refutes the attribution of a popular quote to Benjamin Franklin, suggesting it was likely Harry Hershfield and discussing the difficulty of definitively tracing quote origins.
• A letter from a reader mentions the founding of the Society for Paranormal Research (SPR) in England and its American spin-off, ASPR.

Sea Serpent Sighting in Atlantic City

Don Nigroni reports on his research into four sea serpent cases from the 1890s and 1900s encountered off Atlantic City. He claims to have obtained "incontrovertible photographic evidence" of a sea serpent, shown in Figure 1. He also mentions winning $3,000 at a slot machine during his stay, but reiterates PhACT's mission to promote science and critical thinking, distinguishing it from gambling.

Various Ruminations

• Collected and written by Ray Haupt, this section covers several topics:
• The Rejuvenizer: The article discusses advertisements for "rejuvenizers" from the New Age magazine "Wisdom," claiming to protect against EMF radiation. It expresses skepticism, drawing parallels to the "Gentle Wind Project," a group prosecuted for mind control.
• Faster Than Light: This segment reports on the September 22, 2011, announcement by CERN scientists of detecting particles moving faster than light. It notes the potential implications for Einstein's Theory of Relativity and speculates on the interest this might generate within the New Age community.
• The World's Most Powerful Orgone Zapper - The Ultimate Zapper: This section describes the "Ultimate Zapper," inspired by Nikola Tesla, Dr. Royal Rife, and Dr. Hulga Clark, claiming unique energy wave frequencies and enhanced power in its SE model. It provides a cost and website for more information.

Adult Education Course Schedule

The Wagner Free Institute of Science of Philadelphia offers several free courses in Fall 2011, including "Adventures with our Ancestors: The Relationship of Neandertals to Modern Humans," "Science, Art, and Fashion during the Golden Age of French Natural History, 1790-1830," and "Birds and Birding in the Delaware Valley."

About "Infectious"

This section revisits the question of the meaning of "infectious," prompted by Ed Gracely's letter. It examines definitions from Samuel Johnson's and Noah Webster's dictionaries and quotes Surgeon General George M. Sternberg's 1898 discussion differentiating contagious and infectious diseases, noting that while all contagious diseases are infectious, not all infectious diseases are contagious.

Homeopathic "cancer specialist" disciplined

Dr. Stephen Barrett reports on the disciplinary action taken against Jarir Nakouzi, M.D., for treating cancer with homeopathic products. Nakouzi agreed to pay a fine, stop using certain diagnostic devices, and serve a two-year probation period.

Quantum Pulse (V.I.B.E.) Device

The article discusses Vibe Technologies' "QuantumPulse Device," also known as the VIBE Machine, which is claimed to improve cellular vibrations based on the theories of Lakhovsky, Tesla, Rife, and Clark. It notes the developers of the Ultimate Zapper were also instrumental in its development.

Colonial Beer making Demonstrations

Announcements for demonstrations on colonial beer brewing are included, taking place at the Mill at Anselma on October 16, 2011, and at Pottsgrove Manor on November 5, 2011.

"Cherish Deeply the Memories"

A poem by Paul Schlueter III, dated June 28, 2011, reflecting on loss and remembrance.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Phactum are the application of critical thinking to various phenomena, including historical events (Civil War medicine), paranormal claims (sea serpents, "rejuvenizers," orgone zappers), and scientific announcements (faster-than-light particles). The publication consistently promotes a skeptical yet open-minded approach, encouraging readers to examine evidence rationally and distinguish between scientific inquiry and pseudoscience. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific methodology and against unsubstantiated claims, particularly in the realm of health and alternative therapies. The inclusion of letters to the editor and various short Ruminations sections allows for a diverse range of topics and reader engagement, all filtered through the lens of critical analysis.

This issue of Phactum, dated October 2011, features a collection of articles covering diverse topics including the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), a critical examination of the natural childbirth movement, historical accounts of alleged sea serpent sightings, and an anthropological perspective on early human social structures.

PhACT Meeting Report — September 17, 2011: A Review of Mr Bennett's SETI Presentation

By Thomas M. Medero, this report details a presentation on SETI by Earl Bennett, President of the Philadelphia Area Space Alliance. Medero expresses initial curiosity about the group's motivations and funding, but comes away with a softened opinion, viewing SETI as an interesting hobby for curious scientists rather than a 'hard-core snow job.' Bennett provided historical background on the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, tracing it back to the 17th century with Fontanelli's 'Plurality of Worlds' and continuing through Gauss and the 19th century. The presentation covered the 20th-century expansion of SETI efforts, including various telescope arrays and signal reception. Medero notes that while state-of-the-art technology is used, the scientific community seems to treat it as a personal pursuit. He explains that the scientific basis for the theory of extraterrestrial life likely stems from probability calculations like the Drake equation. Medero concludes that while he enjoyed the presentation and gained a better understanding of the SETI mindset, he views it as a harmless hobby. He also encourages broader community support for such endeavors.

Thomas M. Medero is described as originally from Long Island, NY, living in Philadelphia for twenty years, and studying cognitive neuroscience and moral philosophy at Temple University, focusing on the effects of a lack of cogent reasoning.

PhACT Meeting Report - September 17, 2011: A Review of Mr Bennett's SETI Presentation

By Thomas Dixon, this report also covers Earl Bennett's SETI presentation. Dixon highlights the long history of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, mentioning Bernard Le Bovier de Fontonelle's "Conversations on the Plurality of Worlds" (17th century), Karl Frederich Gauss's suggestion for a 'triangle of fire' (18th century), and Nicolas Camille Flammarion's "The Plurality of Inhabited Worlds" (19th century). Charles Cros's proposal for using mirrors to communicate with extraterrestrials is also noted. The 20th century saw the rise of radio and satellite dishes, with Frank Drake developing the Drake equation to estimate life forms in the Milky Way. Recent history includes the discovery of pulsars and the development of 'Project Cyclops' for radio telescope searches. Dixon mentions the Jodrell Bank Observatory, the Allen Telescope Array, and the Atacama Large Millimeter Array as significant facilities. He also points to the work of individuals contributing through Project Argus, a collection of amateur radio telescopes, demonstrating that the search can continue without significant taxpayer expense.

Thomas Dixon is a student of Dr. David Cattell at Philadelphia Community College.

Natural Childbirth: Under the Skeptical Movement's Radar?

By Martha Knox, this article examines the natural childbirth movement and the increasing popularity of homebirths, arguing that it has largely been ignored by major skepticism organizations. Knox notes that searches for 'natural childbirth skepticism' yield articles from sources like Slate and blogs, but not from prominent skeptical publications like Skeptic Magazine or Skeptical Inquirer. She contrasts the historical context of childbirth in the 18th century, which was primarily home-oriented, with the later shift towards physician involvement. The article references Elizabeth Drinker's diary entries from the 18th century, detailing anxieties and outcomes of childbirth. Knox also discusses the "birth wars" often simplified as doctors versus midwives, and critiques the common accusations against obstetricians, such as the use of Pitocin for convenience and the discouragement of VBAC. She outlines the two main types of midwives: Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) and direct-entry midwives, noting that horror stories of homebirths often involve the latter. Knox shares her personal experience with a complicated pregnancy and emergency C-section after a previous birth center experience, questioning the safety of homebirths when even birth centers have risk-factor exclusions. She argues that the natural childbirth movement is often based on 'crackpot theories' rather than science. The article cites Dr. Amy, 'The Skeptical OB,' who argues that perinatal mortality, not infant mortality, is the correct statistic for measuring obstetric care, and that the US has one of the lowest perinatal mortality rates globally. The Netherlands, despite a high homebirth rate, has a higher perinatal mortality rate than other European countries. Knox concludes that the natural childbirth movement's pseudoscientific aspects need more skeptical scrutiny.

Martha Knox is an art printmaker and teacher, and president of the Humanist Association of Greater Philadelphia.

A 1903 Report of a Sea Serpent Found on a Ventnor Beach

By Don Nigroni, this article investigates a report from the December 20, 1903 issue of The Philadelphia Inquirer about a sea serpent found on Ventnor Beach. The creature was described as fifteen feet long with a wide, grinning mouth. Nigroni also examines a New York Times article from June 4, 1900, detailing a 'veritable sea serpent' killed on Chelsea Beach, described as eleven feet six inches long with a huge mouth and sharp fangs. Both accounts are compared to descriptions of the green moray eel, Gymnothorax funebris, found in the western Atlantic. Nigroni cites 'A Field Guide to Atlantic Coast Fishes' and 'Keeping Moray Eels in Aquariums' to describe the green moray's characteristics, including its size, coloration, and dentition, suggesting that the branchial pores and gaping mouth could be mistaken for ears and a grin. He also notes that American eels can be mistaken for morays. Nigroni concludes that the reported sea serpents were likely green morays.

Don Nigroni received a BS in economics and an MA in philosophy and retired after working for the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

"Anthropologist Updates the Pre-History of In-Laws"

By Paul Schlueter III, this article summarizes a study by anthropologists from Arizona State University, led by Kim Hill, analyzing data from over 5,000 individuals in 32 modern hunter-gatherer societies. The study challenges the previous consensus that women migrated into new groups by marriage, with cores being male families. Hill's group identified three unique social features in human hunter-gatherer groups: 1) equal likelihood for men and women to stay in or migrate to new bands for monogamous marriage; 2) adult siblings of both genders often living together in a band with their in-laws; and 3) a majority of band members being genetically unrelated, facilitating alliances between foraging groups. The article also references Bernard Chapais' argument that this monogamy-based social structure encourages males to circulate among bands, promoting the rapid spread of cultural innovations and traditions. The article touches on the complexity of human sexual interaction and social cooperation, suggesting that monogamy may be appealing due to factors like providing for offspring and avoiding competition for mates. It also discusses the influence of societal size and density on infidelity and the role of religion in restraining it, contrasting this with secular societies and the concept of 'free love.' The author posits that the human tendency to gorge on high-fat foods and the current trend of living in dense cities may enable an inherent tendency to seek numerous sexual opportunities, potentially detrimental to social health.

Paul Schlueter III is serving a prison sentence in NE Pennsylvania.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a skeptical and evidence-based approach to the topics it covers. The SETI articles, while acknowledging the scientific pursuit, frame it as a hobby rather than a definitive scientific endeavor. The natural childbirth article is overtly critical of what it terms 'pseudoscience' and 'crackpot theories,' emphasizing the importance of scientific evidence and statistical data over emotional appeals. The sea serpent article debunks sensational reports by providing a scientific explanation based on zoology. The anthropological piece, while presenting research findings, also includes commentary on human nature and societal trends, suggesting a critical lens on modern social behaviors. The overall stance appears to favor rational inquiry, scientific methodology, and a healthy dose of skepticism towards claims not supported by robust evidence.

This document is the October 2011 issue of the "PhACT Calendar," published by the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking (PhACT). It serves as a comprehensive listing of upcoming events, lectures, and activities, primarily focused on scientific, skeptical, and historical topics, with a strong emphasis on events occurring in and around Philadelphia.

PhACT Events

The "PhACT Events" section details regular meetings hosted by PhACT, typically held on the third Saturday of most months at 2:00 PM at the Community College of Philadelphia. These meetings are free and open to the public. The calendar highlights specific lectures and presentations, including:

• October 15, 2011: A PhACT Lecture titled "Straight and swift to my wounded I go": The Reality of Civil War Medicine and its Interpretation, featuring Robert D. Hicks, Ph.D., curator of the Mutter Museum. This event was held in Lecture Room C2-28 at the Center for Business and Industry.
• November 19, 2011: A PhACT Lecture on "The Fracking Controversy" by Dr. David Velinsky, Director of the Environmental Biogeochemistry Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences. This event was also held in Lecture Room C2-28.
• January 21, 2012 & February 18, 2012: Dates marked as TBA (To Be Announced).

Other Featured Events

The calendar extensively lists events from various institutions and organizations, providing dates, times, locations, descriptions, and contact information. Key events include:

October 2011:

• Science on Tap: A monthly gathering at National Mechanics featuring informal presentations and discussions. (October 10)
• 17th Annual Thomas Langfitt, Jr. Symposium on Health Care Policy: Focusing on Comparative Effectiveness Research at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. (October 11)
• Rittenhouse Astronomical Society Meetings: Held on the second Wednesday of the month at The Franklin Institute.
• Sixth Annual Gravediggers Ball: Benefiting the Friends of Laurel Hill Cemetery Historic Preservation Efforts, held at the Crystal Tea Room at Wanamaker's. (October 14)
• Delaware Valley MENSA General Membership Meetings: Held on the second Friday of the month.
• Invisible Ink Spycraft of the American Revolution: A talk by John A. Nagy at the Police Administration Building. (October 14)
• SOCRATES CAFE: A philosophical discussion group moderated by Lewis Mifsud, Ph.D., P.E., held weekly at the Springfield Township Public Library.
• PhACT Lecture: "Straight and swift to my wounded I go": The Reality of Civil War Medicine and its Interpretation, by Robert D. Hicks, Ph.D. (October 15)
• Sinners, Scandals & Suicides Walking Tour: At Laurel Hill Cemetery, exploring the less savory history of notable figures. (October 16)
• Harvest Festival: Brewing Beer in Colonial Days: At the Mill at Anselma, featuring foodways historian Clarissa Dillon. (October 16)
• Brown Bag Lunch at Chemical Heritage Foundation: Featuring Doogab Yi discussing "A Medical Vietnam? Critics of the Cancer Establishment and the Demise of the Virus Cancer Program in the 1970s." (October 18)
• Food & Thought: "Who's Afraid of Big, Bad Pharma?" at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. (October 19)
• Pharmaceutical Industry Lecture: By Joseph Camardo, MD, FCPP, at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. (October 20)
• The Annual Samuel X. Radbill Lecture: "Measured Breath: Asthma, Diagnosis, and Death in Urban America" by Carla Keirns, MD, PhD, MSc, at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. (October 20)
• Steven Pinker Lecture: "The Better Angels of our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined" at the Free Library of Philadelphia. (October 20)
• Joseph Priestley Society Lecture: At the Chemical Heritage Foundation, featuring a keynote by Judith Giordan. (October 20)
• Day of Our Dead: Marking the 175th Anniversary of Laurel Hill's First Burial, with a ceremony and reception. (October 21)
• Fall Family Day: At Laurel Hill Cemetery, with Halloween-themed activities. (October 22)
• Philly Rocks!: An Academy of Natural Sciences event involving a hike to learn about local rocks. (October 22)
• Edgar Allan Poe: Master of Macabre: A performance by Rob Velella at Laurel Hill Cemetery. (October 24)
• Halloween Flashlight Tours: At Laurel Hill Cemetery. (October 28 & 29)
• Mütter Museum's 4th Annual Day of the Dead Festival: At the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. (October 29)
• "WhoDunIt" Talk: By Dr. Lewis Mifsud on fingerprint and DNA analysis at Penn State University, Abington. (October 30)
• Brown Bag Lunch at Chemical Heritage Foundation: Featuring Brendan Matz on "Wilbur Atwater, Respiration Calorimetry, and the Science of Nutrition in the United States." (November 1)

November 2011:

• Applying Ethnographic Insight to Engineering Ethics: By Park Doing at the Chemical Heritage Foundation. (November 1)
• The Mayors of Philadelphia: An Election Day Retrospective: At Laurel Hill Cemetery, with Glen Umberger. (November 3)
• Listener Encounter: With musician Kyle Bartlett at the American Philosophical Society. (November 4)
• New Sweden History Conference: "The Women of New Sweden 1638-1800" at Widener University. (November 5)
• Demonstration - "...the common Family Way of Brewing": At Pottsgrove Manor. (November 5)
• Croaked Cronies: Philadelphia's Political Bosses: A tour at Laurel Hill Cemetery. (November 6)
• "Preachers who are not believers": A talk by Linda LaScola at the Free Library of Philadelphia. (November 7)
• Millipedes, Moths, and Macro Photography: A 2-part class at The Academy of Natural Sciences with Doug Wechsler.
• Comparative Responses to the Outbreak of Deadly Epidemics from the Revolutionary Era to Today: A panel discussion at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. (November 9)
• Rittenhouse Astronomical Society Meetings: (November 9)
• KIA: Honoring our Heroes Killed in Action - A Veterans' Day Tour: At Laurel Hill Cemetery. (November 10)
• Joseph Priestley Society Lecture: Keynote by R. P. "Skip" Volante at the Chemical Heritage Foundation. (November 10)
• Delaware Valley MENSA General Membership Meetings: (November 11)
• Science on Tap: At National Mechanics. (November 14)
• "A History of Sweat Science, Followed by a Detour to Science behind the Berlin Wall": By Sarah Everts at the Chemical Heritage Foundation. (November 15)
• Claire Tomalin Lecture: "Charles Dickens: A Life" at the Free Library of Philadelphia. (November 15)
• "The Arts & Government: Should They Be Cohabiting?": By Diane Dalto Woosnam at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. (November 16)
• Philadelphia Science Fiction Society (PSFS) presents PHILCON 2011: At the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Cherry Hill, NJ. (November 18-20)
• PhACT Event: "The Fracking Controversy" by Dr. David Velinsky. (November 19)
• Philanthropic Philadelphians: In the Spirit of Thanks and Giving Walking Tour: At Laurel Hill Cemetery. (November 19)
• Remembrance Day in Gettysburg: Ceremonies at the US Regulars Monument and Meade Equestrian Monument. (November 19)
• Philadelphia Marathon Cheer Zone: At Laurel Hill Cemetery. (November 20)

December 2011:

• Brown Bag Lunch at Chemical Heritage Foundation: Featuring Helen Curry on "Breeding Resistance: Genetics Research and Efforts to Restore the American Chestnut Tree, 1950-2000." (December 6)
• Paul Farmer Lecture: "Haiti After the Earthquake" at the Free Library of Philadelphia. (December 6)
• Delaware Valley MENSA General Membership Meetings: (December 9)
• Science on Tap: At National Mechanics. (December 12)
• Brown Bag Lunch at Chemical Heritage Foundation: Featuring J. Emmanuel Raymundo on "When Was Leprosy? The Case of the Culion Leper Colony in the U.S.-Occupied Philippines, 19020-1941."

PhACT Membership and Policy

The publication also details PhACT membership options, including annual dues for email or US Mail delivery, and student rates. It encourages donations for the High School Science Fair Student Prize Funds. The "Policy For Article Use" section outlines guidelines for reprinting materials from Phactum, requiring credit to the author and PhACT, and permission for use in other publications.

The PhACT Council 2010/11

A list of the PhACT Council members for 2010/11 is provided, including Eric Krieg (President), Bob Glickman (Secretary), and Dr. David Cattell (Ph.D. Treasurer).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The PhACT Calendar consistently promotes events that align with a skeptical, scientific, and critical thinking ethos. The topics covered range from hard science and medicine to history, philosophy, and social commentary. The publication emphasizes accessibility, with many events being free and open to the public. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting intellectual curiosity, evidence-based reasoning, and engagement with diverse perspectives within the scientific and skeptical communities. The calendar also highlights the importance of historical context and the critical examination of societal issues.