Medical science always claiming to be ‘on the verge of a breakthrough’

Of course , says  Dr Howard Gossage. “Say that you’ve actually MADE a breakthrough and all the research funding dries up forthwith. There are far more cures in existence  than there are diseases to fit them and the fact they will not  be available in our lifetime is mainly due to the backlog waiting for The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (N.I.C.E.) to approve for general human use. What we don’t know about is causes and once it’s known there’s a cure everybody loses interest in addressing them. Clearly there are many new  ailments and injuries  which have only started occurring in modern life but the causes of most can be identified , like Petrol Pump Back-Wrench, Seat-Belt Elbow, Shopping Bag Fingerlock, and so forth ( see ‘ Pub-televison Neck q.v). However the real modern killer which is doing for us all remains unidentified and it may turn out to be something relatively simple. Fingers point is all directions ;- something in the water or the air,  microwaves , computer rays, mobile signals , packaging, processed food, wallpaper or conservatory extensions.

It’s clearly something we are all regularly come into contact with but its selection of victims will seem to be random until it can be established what they have in common. My own theory is that what’s killing us prematurely is overexposure to Elvis impersonators ( something in the sequin polish).”  

(Olive Sibling , Dimchurch) - QQQ**