A TOPICAL, OR SPORTS CREAM
CAUSE IN DEATH
OF 17 YEAR OLD TRACK STAR

 

Arielle Newman

AP Photo / Courtesy Newman Family and Staten Island Express

 

Arielle Newman, a cross country track athlete at Notre Dame Acadamy of Staten Island, died April 13, 2007 from over use of a sports cream to soothe her aching legs and joints. Apparently her body absorbed high levels of  methyl salicylate, an anti-inflammatory found in creams as Ben-#### and Icy Hot, the medical examiner said.

Arielle Newman, who had won a number of awards in her sport, had been to a party the previous night and upon returning home talked with her mother for a few hours.

All appeared normal until Arielle was found non responsive later.

A doctor at Mount Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Ronald Grelsamer, stated she either lathered herself with the oinment, used way too much or used the proper amount and for reasons unknown her body absorbed an abnormal amount of the chemical.

Deaths from the chemical are rare and this case is unusual. Absorption can be intensified if exercising in extreme heat.

Arielle's mother Alice Newman remains stunned that her daughter is dead from using an over the counter cream product. Ms. Newman stated " I am scrupulous about my children's health. I did not think an over the counter product could be unsafe."

A warning to some of us "old timer's" who sport around a bit more than we should thinking we can ease it all by use of this joint and muscle salve.

 

 

SOCCER A JOKE TO MANY AMERICAN'S

 

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I realise soccer, to American's, is a bit of a joke. Not to mention most, as I do, think the game is boring. For example I have seen in many posts and writing's one "joke" which seems to be the prevailing thought and induces a smile, if not right down guffaws. That would be the question; "What is soccer?".

OK, this is what soccer is about. As you know but don't comprehend, I believe, is the United States is a little over 200 years old. Europe, on the other hand, is ...let's say...umm...thousands of years old? In short, villages, nearby towns, major cities or thrones throughout the land of England, Spain, Wales, Germany, France, Netherlands, Ireland and Scotland, to name but a few, have had rivalries of one kind or another since towns, villages, etc were origined. Rivalries where heart and soul and pride were on the line. Not the "Go put team name here" kind but the "we can't lose but if we do they better watch out" kind of rivalry. (thankfully lesser than, say, all the "isms")

I know what I just penned doesn't come near giving you the comprehension of the meaning of the game of soccer for Europe and the rest of the world to you as I understand it. 

But this past friday, the friday just before Super Bowl , this is what occured ;        During the match between Catania and Palermo friday A Police Officer, Filippo Raciti, was killed when a clash erupted between folks of each town who were attending the match.

Filippo Raciti's death during these clashes at the Catania-Palermo game Friday evening, which made necessary the cancellation of all the weekend's matches, shocked a nation where soccer is part of the fabric of life, to most nothing short of religion.

The key word there being "religion".  I hope this gives you some impetus to research soccer and it's origins and development. I, myself, do not believe soccer is for America. Hockey either,  for that matter.  We, as American's, can not take Europe's game of soccer anymore than we can take their castles and rich history as ours. It would be a total farce even to try. But yet they are. And Mr. Beckham is here to try and make someone a few million dollars and it sure ain't gonna be you.