The incubation period ranges from six months to forty years or longer, with the average period being two to three years (Harrop pp). Leprosy is probably spread primarily by airborne droplets from the nasal mucosa and upper airways, and may also be transmitted by insects, skin contact, breast milk and the placenta of infected mothers (Style pp). The communicability of leprosy is very low; perhaps 90% or more of humans

What is worth noting here is the fact that behavior disturbances, ranging in severity from repeated questioning to physical violence, are common (National Institute of Mental Health, 1989). It is unclear whether Alzheimer's disease represents a single entity or several variants. Some experts believe that there are distinct subtypes of Alzheimer's disease, such as Lewy body disease (in which the signs of Parkinson's disease, visual hallucinations or alterations in alertness

A hemophiliac, young Ryan had contracted the disease through the infusion of blood resources that had long served as his life force; and then that life force, infected with HIV, failed him (Levitt & Rosenthal, 1999). As the young boy bravely faced the demons of the ravaging disease, friends, relatives and outpourings of public support and love marked his journey. Surrounded by his family, and new friends like the

Appalachian Faith Healers Folk magic has been part of the Appalachian culture since the first Scottish and Irish people settled in the Appalachian Mountains in the 1700's. However, the development of folk medicine and faith healing in the Appalachian Mountains is a uniquely American experience. Appalachian folk medicine evolved from elements of European and Native American culture. In fact, today there are four different types of folk medicine practitioners in Appalachia:

This often means expanding the role of the nurse in the modern medical environment. One of the most important signs of the way that nursing has changed to deal with the problems and possibilities of cloning and stem cell research is that nurses have become more "genetically aware." This means that the issue of genetics and stem cell research has become part of the knowledge that is required of

Perception of Helplessness Helplessness is defined in the dictionary as a "powerlessness revealed by an inability to act." Alternative definitions are: "a feeling of being unable to manage" or "the state of needing help from something." Helplessness is part and parcel of human existence. Given the natural order of life's process, helplessness is a reaction to traumatic events in our own lives. These are mental, emotional and physical anguish. In addition,