On Tue, 1 Jun 2004 16:48:25 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:


"Douglas" wrote in message
...

"Kev" wrote in message
...
While sat in the garden the other day, my father noticed a fern
and warned
me that he has seen something on television stating that one or
more types
were a risk to children's eyesight. Did anyone else see this or
have an
opinion ?

see www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted_sites/bps/siman.pdf for health risks from
bracken spores


Thanks
*********************
Don't know, but if you're going up the fells keep away from the
bracken.
Sometimes the stuff's riddled with nasty ticks.

Surely you don't begrudge the little ticks their dindins?

Lyme Disease is carried by ticks.
An infectious disease caused by a bacterium which is spread to humans
by tick bites. It is characterised initially by an expanding red rash
at the site of the bite often accompanied by headache, muscle and
joint aches and fever.

It occurs throughout Europe (including the UK), the United States,
Coastal regions of Australia, China and Japan where it is confined to
wooded regions.

Repellents containing DEET have been found to be useful but if an
embedded tick is discovered, slowly pulling it out with tweezers is
the best method of removal and the affected person should remain alert
to the development of any symptoms. If a rash appears at the site of
attachment, immediate medical attention should be sought. Lyme disease
is effectively treated with oral penicillin or tetracyclines.