ISTEAD RISE WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

President, Pauline Scott, welcomed members and visitors to the first meeting of 2006.

The past president Jean Lis and secretary Pricilla Herbert, were each presented with a gift from the members in appreciation of their hard work during their term of office.

Members were asked to participate in the District Pancake race and asked for suggestions for the District walk being planned for July.

The schedules were available for entries for the Mini Spring show in March and the Photography show in April. Attention was drawn to various Art & Craft, Home Economics and Music events on offer from the county federation.

Cyril Baldwin then gave his talk entitled Myths, Magic & Mistakes in medicine' and what a fascinating narrative that was. We learnt that many things we use today were being used by the Egyptians 6000 BC. Working along hi-tech modern medicine we have re-instated the use of honey and maggots to aid the healing of wounds, Aloe Vera is used and we are still obtaining aspirin from willow.

Finding out how the body works was down to illegally dissecting bodies and the origins of surgery were very barbaric.

With the power of advertising many quack cure all-remedies made the suppliers quite wealthy but the potions gave very little benefit to the ailing.

With all the scanners and modern instruments medicine has come a long way.

The talk at the next meeting is by the ever popular Mr Chris Wade - entitled An illustrated walk around the Saxon shore'. This is on Tuesday, February 14 at 7.30pm at the Memorial Hall, Lewis Road, Istead Rise. Visitors most welcome.