What always puzzles me, particularly in the UK where most of the cost of a packet of cigarettes goes to the government in tax, is if the majority of smokers were to quit, how would the government replace that income.

Obviously the government also makes a good income from its share of the huge profits that the tobacco companies make, so there would be an enormous void created if all smokers gave up the habit.

There has never been a better time to quit smoking, there are many aids available such as patches, gum, inhalator as well as hypnosis and group therapy.

But it is fair to say that many smokers are content to continue with their habit, although surely they would feel happier if they were not contaminating other people space and their own hair, skin, clothes and home.

Electric cigarettes or e cigarettes deliver nicotine via a vapouriser, there is no smoke and no contamination, so they can used anywhere at any time.

Generally they resemble normal cigarettes and so care should be taken if ‘lighting up’ in a public place as some have already found out!

The ‘tube’ does not have to be white though and comes in a range of customised designs and colours making the electronic cigarette as individual as its user.

There are still some health issues over electronic cigarettes however and some states and countries are attempting to ban the product or at least restrict the sale until these issues can be resolved.

Fetus In Fetu

Last week saw the amazing story of the a newborn baby boy undergoing surgery to remove a microscopic tumour from his brain.

During the operation on three-day-old Sam Esquibel, doctors found a tiny formed foot, a hand, a thigh and another near formed foot.

It is thought the growth was part of a “foetus in foetu”, where a twin begins to form inside it’s sibling, which although not unheard of is still very rare.

Dr Paul Grabb said,

“It looked like a breech delivery of a baby, coming out of the brain.

To find a perfectly formed structure (like this) is extremely unique, unusual, borderline unheard of.”

Although little Sam is recovering fully at home with his parents he must now get monthly blood checks for signs of regrowth.

Her first daughter was born with the same condition as her mother, osteogenesis imperfector, but as this lady has proved, it hasn’t stopped her living a normal life with her husband and daughters.

Stacey Herald is now hoping to get an entry into the Guiness Book of Records for being the smallest mum.

This video is amazing, she is an inspiration.

The rest of the babies family are all of normal size but this little Columbian weighs in at 61lbs.

Dede cut his knee as a teenager which is when the disease appears to have begun reaching the stage where he could not walk properly or use his hands.

The Indonesian man has now had 95% of the warts removed and has been released from the hospital so that he can celebrate the Islamic month of fasting with his family.

Dede has so far had nine operations and can now use his hands again, he can write, eat by himself and use his mobile phone.

He will need to return to the hospital after the fasting period which begins on the 1st September where he will undergo more surgery to remove more warts from the palms and backs of his hands.

To read the original story, click here;

http://www.buzzinbizarre.co.uk/the-tree-root-man/33/#more-33

A coyote with severe mange

It was believed to be an urban legend by biologists and wildlife officials but lately footage has been appearing again of sightings of the Chupacabra.

Chupacabra, actually means ‘goatsucker’, with the goat seeming to be it’s preferred meal, although it has allegedly killed other cattle and chickens.

Sightings of the creature, which is said to be about the size of a coyote but mostly resembling a donkey, began in Puerto Rico.  There have since been sightings in Mexico and Latin America.

The first attack known, was in Puerto Rico in 1995, when 8 sheep were found dead and drained of blood with three puncture holes in each animals chest.

Later attacks were reported in the Dominican Republic, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Honduras, El Savador, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Brazil, United States and Mexico.

In 2006, reports of a beast which had killed animals and sucked out their blood, came from Russia, with witnesses describing the Chupacabra.

The Chupacabra looks like a strange breed of wild dog in the clip I saw today, which is certainly what it has been described as.  It is hairless with a pronounced spinal ridge, large eye sockets, fangs and claws.

It is thought that there may be different breeds, as another popular description has been more of a reptile-like being.  It’s skin appearing greenish-grey with a scaly or leathery look and spines or quills running along the centre of it’s back.  It is about 3-4ft in height, and hops like a Kangaroo, has a  panther-like face, large fangs and a forked tongue.

The sighting that was reported today was said to have taken place near Texas and was filmed in a patrol car, still didn’t buy it, so I thought I would show you this one instead, you decide, but if you want to see the original footage it’s on YouTube.

Thousands of people queue daily seeking Chandre’s blessing and he said that people get cured of all sorts of illnesses just by touching his tail.

Here is a short clip, unfortunately it’s in Japanese, but you can see his problem;

To bag yourself one of these miniature art pieces, it will set you back between $200 – $600 depending on your chosen design, and can also be shipped to you to be fitted by your own dentist.

Steve Heward the lab’s owner and chief artist had this to say.
‘ I studied as a portrait painter at the university of Utah in the 1970’s.’ Steve explained. ‘ When i started working at a dental lab as head ceramist, I wanted show the dentists and the patients what i was capable of creating on their crowns.’

Steve creates these mini masterpieces by using ceramic stain and a one haired brush to paint the unique designs on to the crowns, resulting in an amazing finished product, I think you will agree.

Even Steves daughter has one, and his youngest son now has three in his mouth! The good news is that they can easily be removed with just a little grinding with a rubber wheel.

If you want to get your hands on one of these or just want to see some examples of tooth tattooing then go to www.toothartist.com

In 1969, an Australian John Rendall, and his friend Ace Berg, bought the lion cub, from Harrods department store, who’d acquired it from Ilfracombe zoo, for 250 guineas.

Christian was given his own accomodation in the basement of the the furniture shop but by day, travelled in a Bentley and accompanied his owner to lunch at local restaurants.

The trouble began when, within a year, Christian had grown to 185lbs and was still growing, but by sheer chance his future was sealed when visitors to the shop gave their advice.

Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna from the Born Free Trust suggested that Christian should be sent to the Kora National Reserve, Kenya. There he was reintroduced back into the wild by George Adamson.

John and Ace made a couple of visits but decided on a final goodbye trip, however, Adamson warned them that after 9 months Christian was unlikely to remember them.

George Adamson continued doing what he did best for another 14 years until he was ambushed and murdered by bandits in 1989.

Watch this;