Legislation
Nurses influence state, federal legislation From the time we first study American history we are encouraged to be involved in our government. However, we seek our own level+~~emay vote in every election and feel his civic duty has been fulfilled, another may zealously participate in campaign activities for either an issue or a candidate, and yet a third may seek office for himself. Since nurses are prone to “get involved,” it is not surprising to find more and more of them active at their city halls, statehouses, or at the nation’s Capitol. In 1973, nurses in Massachusetts went to their statehouse to protest legislation affecting the Nurse Practice Act and the Board of Registration in Nursing. Due to vigorous opposition and presence of nurses in the capitol during the debate, the change was avoided and registered nurses in Massachusetts continue to be recognized as the professionals they have always been. In Baton Rouge, La. nurses took their banner to the state when less than desirable bills were introduced in the legislature in 1974. The Baton Rouge AORN chapter worked with the Baton Rouge District Nurses Association in writing and speaking to state senators and representatives to dissuade them from a vote for instituional Iicensure and changes in the nurse practice act. For the first time in the history of Texas, a
564
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nurse is on the state board of health. The Texas Nurses Association along with AORN chapters vigorously supported this concept and communicated their wishes to their representatives as well as the governor and anybody who would listen and have input. Word is still being awaited as to the appointment of a nurse to the Board of Nurse Examiners. Support for an OR-oriented nurse has been supplied by the Houston AORN chapter. There was much activity on the federal level by nurses who approached members of Congress for support of the Nurse Training Act. Sen Jacob Javits (D-New York) responded most actively by having an amendment tabled which would have defeated the passage of the act. The bill was vetoed by President Ford but became law when Congress overrode the veto in quick action. Nurses were commended by members of Congress as being instrumental in influencing enough representatives and senators to pass the bills. The Nurse Training Act will provide approximately $550 million over the next three years. Whatever your interest, there is something happening in legislation that will affect you. Why don’t you affect it for a change? Find out who your state and national senators and representatives are. Contact them so they know you are watching what they are doing. Even if there is no bill you wish to give input into right now, find out what kind of person represents you. 1976 is an election year for many officials. Now is the time to begin your evaluations.
AORN Journal, October 1975, Vol22, No 4
Two bills, currently being considered by the US Congress, deal with the safety and effectiveness of medical devices intended for human use. They are House Bill 5545 and Senate Bill 510. The Senate version has passed but the House bill is still in committee and the House of Representatives is interested in having input from nurses. Write to your Congressman or Senator, d o House of Representatives or Senate, Washington, DC 20515, and ask him for copies of the bills.
Can you as an individual effect a change? Frankly, it is not likely. However, by joining your professional colleagues in sharing information and by using teamwork to support your particular point of view, a vote may be swung in your favor. Don’t let a battle of votes affecting nursing care be lost because you weren’t there.
Shirley M Humphries, RN Chairman National Legislative Committee
Taste buds replaced weekly There is nothing old-fashionedabout the way taste buds work. In fact, a modern system of frequency modulation utilizes tiny electrical impulses to communicate instantly a taste or flavor to the brain. Herman Diamant, MD, of Umea, Sweden, who has conducted extensive taste experiments in animals and humans, says there is virtually no chance for error, since a brand new set of taste buds appears every week. The facts behind this super-efficient performance are reported in Transactions, official journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology. Dr Diamant points out that the sensation of taste is created by the stimulation of the taste bud, a bulb-like organ made up of long, slender cells. Very fine bands of protoplasm extend out from the top of the organ, and it is these bands-r microvilli-that react to various flavors. It is the method of transmission, says Dr Diamant, that is significant. His research has shown that when the microvilli are stimulated the taste buds transmit electrical impulses to the brain via nerve fibers at a given number of impulses per second. The stronger the flavor, the greater the frequency of impulses. “Thus,” emphasizes Dr Diamant, “the communication system of the nerves follows the very modern principle used in the tele-technique, namely, frequency modulation.” The phenomenon of taste has been studied by Dr Diamant and others extensively over the past 15 years. It was
566
only recently, however, that the very short life span of the taste bud was discovered. The epithelium cells that surround the taste buds are constantly in a state of change. They are transformed structurally into taste cells as they come in contact with the end fibers of the taste nerve, according to Dr Diamant. This replacement occurs every week, assuring fresh taste buds at all times. Much of Dr Diamant’s research involved experimentation with the taste organs of animals. It was interesting to note that while man cannot “taste” pure distilled water-the sensation is that of wetness only-such animals as frogs, rabbits, monkeys, cats, and dogs get a definite reaction from their nerve fibers, with frequency impulses indicating that they can indeed taste water.
AORN Journal, October 1975, Vol22, N o 4
Nurses influence state, federal legislation From the time we first study American history we are encouraged to be involved in our government. However, we seek our own level+~~emay vote in every election and feel his civic duty has been fulfilled, another may zealously participate in campaign activities for either an issue or a candidate, and yet a third may seek office for himself. Since nurses are prone to “get involved,” it is not surprising to find more and more of them active at their city halls, statehouses, or at the nation’s Capitol. In 1973, nurses in Massachusetts went to their statehouse to protest legislation affecting the Nurse Practice Act and the Board of Registration in Nursing. Due to vigorous opposition and presence of nurses in the capitol during the debate, the change was avoided and registered nurses in Massachusetts continue to be recognized as the professionals they have always been. In Baton Rouge, La. nurses took their banner to the state when less than desirable bills were introduced in the legislature in 1974. The Baton Rouge AORN chapter worked with the Baton Rouge District Nurses Association in writing and speaking to state senators and representatives to dissuade them from a vote for instituional Iicensure and changes in the nurse practice act. For the first time in the history of Texas, a
564
a
nurse is on the state board of health. The Texas Nurses Association along with AORN chapters vigorously supported this concept and communicated their wishes to their representatives as well as the governor and anybody who would listen and have input. Word is still being awaited as to the appointment of a nurse to the Board of Nurse Examiners. Support for an OR-oriented nurse has been supplied by the Houston AORN chapter. There was much activity on the federal level by nurses who approached members of Congress for support of the Nurse Training Act. Sen Jacob Javits (D-New York) responded most actively by having an amendment tabled which would have defeated the passage of the act. The bill was vetoed by President Ford but became law when Congress overrode the veto in quick action. Nurses were commended by members of Congress as being instrumental in influencing enough representatives and senators to pass the bills. The Nurse Training Act will provide approximately $550 million over the next three years. Whatever your interest, there is something happening in legislation that will affect you. Why don’t you affect it for a change? Find out who your state and national senators and representatives are. Contact them so they know you are watching what they are doing. Even if there is no bill you wish to give input into right now, find out what kind of person represents you. 1976 is an election year for many officials. Now is the time to begin your evaluations.
AORN Journal, October 1975, Vol22, No 4
Two bills, currently being considered by the US Congress, deal with the safety and effectiveness of medical devices intended for human use. They are House Bill 5545 and Senate Bill 510. The Senate version has passed but the House bill is still in committee and the House of Representatives is interested in having input from nurses. Write to your Congressman or Senator, d o House of Representatives or Senate, Washington, DC 20515, and ask him for copies of the bills.
Can you as an individual effect a change? Frankly, it is not likely. However, by joining your professional colleagues in sharing information and by using teamwork to support your particular point of view, a vote may be swung in your favor. Don’t let a battle of votes affecting nursing care be lost because you weren’t there.
Shirley M Humphries, RN Chairman National Legislative Committee
Taste buds replaced weekly There is nothing old-fashionedabout the way taste buds work. In fact, a modern system of frequency modulation utilizes tiny electrical impulses to communicate instantly a taste or flavor to the brain. Herman Diamant, MD, of Umea, Sweden, who has conducted extensive taste experiments in animals and humans, says there is virtually no chance for error, since a brand new set of taste buds appears every week. The facts behind this super-efficient performance are reported in Transactions, official journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology. Dr Diamant points out that the sensation of taste is created by the stimulation of the taste bud, a bulb-like organ made up of long, slender cells. Very fine bands of protoplasm extend out from the top of the organ, and it is these bands-r microvilli-that react to various flavors. It is the method of transmission, says Dr Diamant, that is significant. His research has shown that when the microvilli are stimulated the taste buds transmit electrical impulses to the brain via nerve fibers at a given number of impulses per second. The stronger the flavor, the greater the frequency of impulses. “Thus,” emphasizes Dr Diamant, “the communication system of the nerves follows the very modern principle used in the tele-technique, namely, frequency modulation.” The phenomenon of taste has been studied by Dr Diamant and others extensively over the past 15 years. It was
566
only recently, however, that the very short life span of the taste bud was discovered. The epithelium cells that surround the taste buds are constantly in a state of change. They are transformed structurally into taste cells as they come in contact with the end fibers of the taste nerve, according to Dr Diamant. This replacement occurs every week, assuring fresh taste buds at all times. Much of Dr Diamant’s research involved experimentation with the taste organs of animals. It was interesting to note that while man cannot “taste” pure distilled water-the sensation is that of wetness only-such animals as frogs, rabbits, monkeys, cats, and dogs get a definite reaction from their nerve fibers, with frequency impulses indicating that they can indeed taste water.
AORN Journal, October 1975, Vol22, N o 4
