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Benjamin Rush (1745-1813), a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was the most celebrated American physician and the leading social reformer of his time. He was a close friend of both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson and corresponded with many of the prominent figures of the revolutionary generation. Rush's strong belief in universal salvation helped to promote acceptance of Universalism during its formative period in America.

Benjamin Rush was born December 24, 1745 in Bayberry Township near Philadelphia. The fourth of John and Susanna (Hall) Rush's seven children, Benjamin was raised and spent most of his life in the Philadelphia area. His mother, a Presbyterian, at first supervised her young son's religious education at home. After the death in 1751 of her Episcopalian husband, she and Benjamin regularly attended the Second Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. There young Rush was greatly influenced by its minister, Gilbert Tennent, a leader in the Great Awakening then sweeping the northeast. Exposure to Calvinist teachings continued during his student years at West Nottingham Academy in Maryland and at the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University).

After earning an A.B. in 1760 from the College of New Jersey, Rush studied medicine, 1761-66, under Dr. John Redman in Philadelphia. On Redman's advice, he continued his studies at the University of Edinburgh, where he received an M.D. degree in 1768. He did further training at St. Thomas's Hospital in London, 1768-69. In Edinburgh he embraced a new explanation of disease, taught by the prominent instructor, Dr. William Cullen. Rejecting the older theory, based upon the balancing of the four humors, Rush believed that the root cause of disease was “irregular convulsive or wrong action,” especially of the blood vessels.

Returning to America, he joined the faculty of the College of Philadelphia as professor of chemistry. In 1789 he became professor of the theory and practice of medicine. When the college became part of the University of Pennsylvania he was appointed chair of Institutes of Medicine and Clinical Practice, 1791, and chair of Theory and Practice of Medicine, 1796. He was immensely popular with his students; his lectures drew large crowds. His fame drew many students to Philadelphia to study medicine, which he was happy about.

In 1776 he married Julia Stockton; the couple had 13 children, nine of whom survived him. Their son James (1786-1869) followed his father into medicine and wrote notable studies of the human voice and of psychology.

Rush was a delegate to the Continental Congress convened in 1775 and a signer of the Declaration of Independence the following year. During the Revolutionary War he served briefly as surgeon-general of the armies of the Middle Department. Finding the army hospitals corruptly and incompetently managed and frustrated that his office did not give him power to reform them, Rush wrote letters of complaint to Congress and to General George Washington. He resigned after Washington accused him of personal disloyalty. A decade later President John Adams appointed him Treasurer of the United States Mint, a position he held until his death.

As a physician Rush strove to promote the general health of the citizenry. In 1786 he established the first free dispensary in the country. During the great yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia, Rush worked tirelessly and heroically to care for patients and to curb the spread of the disease, at the same time keeping detailed records. In the face of widespread criticism he persisted in promoting drastic purgation and radical bloodletting as a means of treatment. In 1793, Dr. Rush was credited with curing the epidemic of yellow fever in Philadelphia. The therapy he recommended to restore the circulatory system to normal was bloodletting. There were many people against his practice in this time!

Rush made many contributions to medicine that have stood the test of time. He advocated the simplification of diagnosis and treatment of disease. “Let us strip our profession of everything that looks like mystery and imposture,” he wrote. He was an early advocate of preventive medicine. In particular, he pointed out that decayed teeth were a source of systemic disease. He promoted inoculation and vaccination against smallpox.

A pioneer in the study and treatment of mental illness, Rush insisted that the insane had a right to be treated with respect. He protested the inhuman accommodation and treatment of the insane at Pennsylvania Hospital. When he received an inadequate response to his complaints from the hospital's Board of Managers, Rush took his case to the public at large. In 1792 he was successful in getting state funding for a ward for the insane. He constructed a typology of insanity which is strikingly similar to the modern categorization of mental illness and studied factors that he thought predisposed people to madness.

Part of Rush's treatment of the mentally ill was based upon his idea of the cause of physical disease. Anticipating Freudian analysis by over a hundred years, Rush also listened to his patients tell him their troubles and was interested in dreams. He recommended occupational therapy for the institutionalized insane. His Medical Inquiries and Observations, Upon the Diseases of the Mind, 1812, a standard reference for seventy years, earned him the title of “the father of American psychiatry.”

Rush's shift from Calvinism to universalism was profoundly influenced by the social changes of the Revolutionary era. He embraced republicanism as an essential part of Christianity. For him a world attuned to God would be one which encouraged people to choose virtue over vice. To create this world it would be necessary to improve the conditions under which all the people lived. At first he envisioned the new American republic as playing the leading role in this transformation. Disillusioned by politics, he concluded that the actualization of the this-worldly millennium was a religious task. Rush's universalism inspired his work as social reformer.

In his time Rush had no peer as a social reformer. Among the many causes he championed-most of them several generations in advance of nearly all other reformers-were prison and judicial reform, abolition of slavery and the death penalty, education of women, conservation of natural resources, proper diet, abstinence from the use of tobacco and strong drink, and the appointment of a “Secretary of Peace” to the federal cabinet. He worked so hard on all these causes that it wore him down to the point of exhaustion.

In 1813 Rush died suddenly after a brief illness. He was buried in the graveyard of Christ's Church in Philadelphia. On learning of his death Jefferson wrote Adams: “Another of our friends of seventy-six is gone, my dear Sir, another of the co-signers of the Independence of our country. And a better man than Rush could not have left us, more benevolent, more learned, of finer genius, or more honest.” Adams, grief-stricken, wrote in reply, “I know of no Character living or dead, who has done more real good in America.”

Bibliography

Leitch, Alexander. Benjamin Rush. 1978.
http://etc.princeton.edu/CampusWWW/Companion/rush_benjamin.html

Vinci, John. Benjamin Rush.
http://www.colonialhall.com/rush/rush.asp

Unknown Author. Benjamin Rush, Signer of the Declaration of Independence.
http://www.benjaminrush.com/

Today more and more people are studying online. I’ve been actively enrolled in online courses regularly since 2000 and currently get continuing education unit from participation in programs online.

As a result, we are no longer limited to where (or with whom) we study.

So, if you are looking to help yourself along on an animal career path, one of the great options is to study online.

I have a course in progress that will launch 2010-2011 but in the meantime wanted to share a few options for you to investigate from the UK.

I actually flew over to England and stayed while I studied and worked with endangered species but I had also sourced an online university that offered a zoo course way back in the 1980s.

Anyway, today I am going to outline the Canine Studies diploma course. It is a fully accredited Level 3 (UK designation) diploma course for dog enthusiasts who are simply interested in dogs or who are seeking employment in the canine world. Students who pass the final online examination will be awarded a diploma in Canine Studies.

The nice thing about online studies is that you can usually go at your own pace and in the Canine Studies diploma course allows you one year to complete this course from the time you register for the class and requires an estimated 400 hours of study to complete.

Canine Studies Awards
In the Canine Studies course you actually get two for one. Students that meet the final examination qualitifcations for graduation will receive a certificate from both the college and also the awarding body, Ascentis. These fees are included in the course fee.

International students are welcome and there is open enrollment–you can enroll at any time.

Canine Studies Course Syllabus
Introduction to Canine Studies
The first module in the Canine Studies course takes you into the history of canine domestication. Topics covered include:

• Taxonomy (How dogs are classified and where they fit into the animal kingdom)
• Canine origins and theories as to how they evolved from their ancestors
• History of canine domestication
• Contrasts and similarities between dogs and wolves
• Dogs and their relationship with humans

Canine Anatomy and Physiology
In this module students learn about the anatomy and physiology of canines. Including:

• skeletal system
• muscular system
• nervous system and sensory organs
• endocrine system
• circulatory system
• respiratory system
• immune system

Nutrition
Nutrition is the science of food and of nourishing the body and to maintain healthy physiological systems understanding it is crucial. This module introduces the following:

• The canine digestive system
• Nutritional requirements of the dog
• Aging influences on protein and fat needs
• How to monitor diet effectiveness
• Health complications from incorrect feeding
• Toxic food that pose risks to dogs
• Digestive system ailments

Canine Diseases
This module is an overview of infectious and non infectious diseases. Overview touches onto:

• Disease causing organisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses, and the differences between them)
• Internal and external parasites
• How to identify factors that transmit diseases
• Some degenerative diseases

Canine Health and Veterinary Care
This module goes into a few previously studied diseases and outlines how they can be diagnosed, treated, and prevented.

• Diagnostic methods and medicines for canine diseases
• Diagnostic methods, treatment and prognosis for injuries
• Legal restrictions in the veterinary profession and general public
• Dog First Aid
• Small animal practice technology and equipment

Canine Genetics
Explore the science of genetics in this module. Includes an introduction to:

• Terminology of genetics
• Genetic science
• Genetic mutations
• Differences between natural selection and artificial selection
• Theories of evolution
• Genetic disorders in the dog

Reproduction
This module covers the physiology of reproduction and the care of the neonates.

• Reproductive anatomy of the dog
• Reproductive anatomy of the bitch
• The oestrus cycle
• Conception and development of pregnancy
• Whelping
• Development of neonatal puppies
• Natural and artificial insemination
• Pregnancy complications
• Birth complications

Behavior
Canine behavior laps over into biology, neuroscience and psychology and this module covers:

• Similarities and differences between wolf behavior and domestic dog behavior
• Genetic influences in behavior, and the differences between breeds
• How dogs learn and learning theories
• Brain areas associated with various aspects of behavior
• Senses and how they affect behavior
• Diet, hormones and health effects on behavior
• Previous experience influences on behavior
• Stereotypical behavior
• How dog learning can be used during training

Canine Behavior II
This module delves into behavior problems.

• Common behavior problems
• Why problem behaviors occur
• Behavior problem evaluation techniques
• Ways behavior can be shaped and altered including veterinary treatment

Working with Canines
This module explores the canine industry such as:

• Organizations involved with dogs and research
• Types of jobs available working with dogs
• Dog laws (working with dogs, ownership of dogs)
• Requirements of running a canine business
• Setting up a boarding kennels
• Breeding dogs

As you can see the Canine Studies course is a fairly good overview if you are interested in canines.

In addition to the course materials, students will have access to a special location (student commons) course updates, extra materials and other information.

These is also a student chat room and forum to round out the online student community.

This is definitely an introductory course as no previous skills or qualifications required to register for this study program and tuition can be paid in one payment or by a deposit and monthly payments. .

All students will also have their own personal tutor that can be contacted via telephone or email and unlimited support Monday to Friday.

Click this blog’s affiliate link for further information, or to enroll in the canine studies course.

mocowiz asked: Millions of people experience irregular heartbeats at some point in their lives. Most of these episodes, called arrhythmias, are harmless and happen in healthy people free of heart disease. Sometimes, however, rhythm disturbances can be serious or even fatal. Other heart diseasescan be dangerous in their own right and can increase the likelihood of arrhythmias.ElectricalArrhythmias that originate in the heart’s upper chambers, the atria Atrial Fibrillation (AF or A Fib) More than 2 million people in the United States have atrial fibrillation, making it a very common heart rhythm disorder. In A Fib, the heartbeat is irregular and rapid, sometimes beating as often as 300 times a minute, about four times faster than normal. Although it isn’t life threatening, A Fib can lead to other rhythm problems, chronic fatigue and congestive heart failure. Chances of having a stroke are five times higher for those with A Fib.Atrial Flutter (AFL)Atrial flutter is similar to A Fib because it too is characterized by a rapid heartbeat. Instead of many disorganized signals, however, AFL is caused by a single electrical wave that circulates very rapidly in the atrium, about 300 times a minute, leading to a very fast, steady heartbeat.Sick Sinus Syndrome (SSS)SSS is not a specific disease, but a group of signs or symptoms that indicate the heart’s natural electrical pacemaker, the sinoatrial node, is not functioning properly. In SSS, the heart rate can switch back and forth between a slow rate (bradycardia) and a fast rate (tachycardia). A permanent pacemaker, sometimes in combination with medication, is the primary treatment.Sinus TachycardiaA harmless rhythm, sinus tachycardia is a normal increase in heart rate that happens with fever, excitement and exercise. It does not require treatment problem, such as anemia or hyperthyroidism, should be treated.Arrhythmias that originate in the heart’s lower chambers, the ventriclesVentricular Tachycardia (VT)Characterized by a very fast heart rate, VT usually is seen in the setting of other serious heart disease. Occasionally, it occurs in people with normal hearts. It usually requires prompt treatment, sometimes with medication. Sometimes it is treated with radiofrequency ablation or surgery. Often people with VT are protected by implantation of a defibrillator. Because VT can lead to ventricular fibrillation (next item) it is considered a serious condition that warrants aggressive monitoring and treatment.Ventricular Fibrillation (VF)Sudden cardiac death, caused by ventricular fibrillation, poses the greatest threat and accounts for half of all cardiac deaths. In VF, the heartbeat is rapid and chaotic, which causes the lower heart chambers, or ventricles, to go into a spasm. Sometimes, however, a heart attack can lead to VF. VF is abrupt and happens without any warning and it halts all heart functioning. The lack of oxygen throughout the body, and especially to the brain, is deadly. Also known as cardiac arrest, sudden cardiac death is due to an electrical circuitry problem. It is not a the same as a heart attack, or myocardial infarction, which is a circulatory problem caused by clogged blood vessels that cut off the supply of blood to the heart.Although CPR can provide some benefit, the only truly effective VF treatment is defibrillation, which relies on paddles or electrodes to “shock” the heart back to normal rhythm. Without treatment, loss of consciousness comes in seconds, and death is inevitable.OtherPremature ContractionsExtra, early or “skipped” beats are the most frequent cause of irregular heart rhythms. These can start in the upper or lower chambers of the heart.Long QT Syndrome (LQTS)Long QT Syndrome is a disorder of the electrical system. It can be inherited, acquired after taking certain medications, or caused by a combination of heredity and medications. People with LQTS are susceptible to ventricular fibrillation.Heart BlockWhen electrical impulses generated in the upper chambers of the heart are not properly transmitted to the lower chambers, Heart Block happens. The heart then beats too slowly, reducing the oxygen that gets to the body and brain.Syncope (Fainting)Fainting, or feeling as if one might faint, can be caused by serious heart rhythm disorders and needs to be evaluated carefully. Sometimes the cause is not heart related, for instance when low blood sugar is to blame, but still can be dangerous. No matter what the cause, fainting can bedangerous simply because of the potential for injuries from falling.Article By http://heart-improve.blogspot.comOnline Cpr Certificate