The law does not pretend to punish everything that is dishonest. That would seriously interfere with business. Clarence Darrow (American lawyer and leading member of the American Civil Liberties Union)

Woe is the plight of the consumer.  I could be wrong, but have we turned full circle to return to the Victorian market place, where sensational claims were not supported by proven certification?

Manufacture it, market it then sell it, leaving the consumer to prove it when a product falls short of commercial claims, that is the American way.  But that is not the British way; at least it was not until recently.  In Britain the manufacture has to prove its claims before marketing.  In Britain, irrespective of the market an item is aimed at, extensive tests and research has to be undertaken to ensure that the consumer can buy with confidence.

I have read that not all cultures prize honesty.  For some, the difference between a lie and the truth are unrecognisable, so maybe that is why product claims have entered the realms of fantasy.  Maybe it is a cultural or possibly a generational thing?

My most recent dissatisfaction with the world of commercial speak concerns vacuum storage bags.  T.V. info-mercial’s portray these as easy to seal, transportable, multi-use items.  Unfortunately, in my experience the seals are difficult to line up even with the plastic ‘zip’ guide.  Some seals stretch with subsequent opening and reseal too.  In addition, when attempting to break the air lock open, seals have been known to rip, making these an expensive single use storage option. 

Other vacuums bags on the market are made of such flimsy plastic, they piece or tear extremely easily, making transporting them very hazardous.  Even sliding one around a shelf or a cupboard floor is enough to compromise the plastic.  Actually, many of the bags I have tried failed first time out of the box.  On their maiden outing, many did not hold an air tight seal.  Whether it was the zip air locks themselves or possibly the welded edge strips that were poor or maybe tiny holes in the plastic sheets at the point of manufacture, I do not know.  All I know is that the innovation is inspiring but the actual products are sadly disappointing.    

  

Tried, tested and proven unsatisfactory; -

Vacuum Seal Hanging Storage Wardrobe - B Ross

XL Vacuum storage bags - Home Storage World

Travel Vacuum Storage Bags - Hamble

B&E Vacuum Storage Bags - B&E Home Essential

Do you know what they call the fellow who finishes last in his medical school graduating class? They call him 'Doctor.' Abe Lemons (A.E. "Abe" Lemons was an American college basketball player and coach.)

My youngest is battling against tonsillitis for the third time in as many months.  Where his previous bouts consisted of cold type symptoms accompanied by white pus-filled spots, this time the main cause for concern is his raised temperature.  A temperature of 39.7C just two hours after taking paracetamol does not appear to concern his doctor, only his mother. 

Where his previous tango’s with tonsillitis produced a multitude of pus-filled spots, causing him a very sore throat but a relatively small rise in temperature, this episode has produced very few spots, but an excess of heat along with coughing and vomiting. 

The NHS 111 service has proved to be very helpful during the bank holiday weekend; their pre-appointment assessment was very thorough.  I would like to have said the same about the telephone conversation I had with the out of hour’s doctor but unfortunately, I cannot.  That particular doctor could not grasp the basic fact that my sons temperature quickly rises above 38C within two hours of taking either paracetamol or ibuprofen.  In our attempt to keep his temperature stable, we have been administering both types of drug alternatively but using up the maximum dosage allowed in a 24-hour period, in just twelve hours.  The doctor’s suggestion involved our trying to go longer between tablets.  She offered no alternative method for reducing temperature, nor did she advise us what are and are not acceptable rises in body temperature.  Honestly, I think she thought I was giving my son tablets just for the hell of it.

Thank goodness for the internet.  The internet has told me that temperatures of up to 40C are to be expected.  The internet has told me not to panic until it approaches 42C.  Neither of these two pieces of information were on the UK NHS website.  The NHS site only advises on young children’s raised temperatures.  However, the NHS website does say there are two types of tonsillitis – viral and bacterial.  Apparently, tests have to be done to determine the cause of infection, antibiotics being prescribed for a bacterial infection.  My son has not had any tests but he has been prescribed antibiotics.

After 57 hours the coughing, sickness and raised temperature continue.  My poor little lamb is excessively hungry but anything he eats returns at speed: ice cream, toast, soup, - noting stays down.  Once again, the internet suggests administering vitamin c, as well as providing plenty of fresh air.  The doctor gave no such advice.

If things do not improve over the next ten hours, I can return to my local doctor’s surgery – thrill.