Dr. Allan Horowitz, published newspaper article, The Liberal, Copyright May 15, 1991

Today’s column will be a catch-up, desk clean-off, I finally got around-to-it, column. Three items that I have been promising individual readers will comprise today’s column.

Story 1 Back in the winter I wrote a series of columns on seat belt and car safety. I described the proper use of seat belts, and how young children must be strapped into approved car seats.

It is a matter of fact that all cars now sold do have approved seat belts in the front and back seats. I am of the generation that remembers when cars did not always have seat belts. Children, of course take it for granted that cars come equipped with seat belts. Some people remember when no cars ever had seat belts.

A patient of mine had a good laugh reading my columns on seat belts because it was so acceptable that everyone needs to wear a seat belt before they travel by ear. He told me that he was a pioneer in this regard. He remembers owning a 1935 Pontiac. Of course it did not have seat belts.

In 1939 Canadian Tire (I presume this Canadian Tire store looked a bit different from the new Richmond Hill Canadian Tire. They probably didn’t have so many check out lines, and the computers at the front cash were probably not so fancy!) offered a seat belt kit. It sold for $4 and came with two seat belt units and instructions on how to drill through the car frame to bolt the seat belts in place. We have really progressed.

Now cars sell for $20,000 but at least you don’t have to install your own seat belts.

Story 2 Also in the winter I wrote an article describing how headaches can be caused by a variety of factors. Stress, weather, fatigue, etc. can all contribute to causing a headache. I made up what I thought was a cute little story about a person who was having a really bad day. A headache was the result.

In my story I indicated that the person missed the bus to work and had to take a taxi. The taxi driver drove like a maniac and the ride cost so much that the person was not able to buy lunch that day.

OFFEND MANY PEOPLE

I didn’t realize that my cute little story would offend so many people. The people who were offended were taxi drivers. A patient of mine, who happens to be a taxi driver, told me how angry many of his co-workers were when they read the very bad publicity I gave them in the article.

He told me that they pride themselves on driving safely at all times, and the cost of a taxi ride is just reflecting market rates on insurance, gasoline, cars, and maintenance. G.S.T. is not their fault, he told me. He also told me that most cab drivers can barely make a living in the present economic climate. I agree with him on all points, and I promised to print an apology.

This is it. I am very sorry for implying that cab drivers are careless drivers who are ripping off the public. I know this is not true, and I am sorry if I gave that impression.

Story 3 Several people have written to me or asked me personally to comment on particular mattress “names”.

CONFUSING LABELS

I have written many times, and plan to do so again soon, regarding the type of mattress to buy if one suffers from neck or back pain, but the confusing thing for many people is the multitude of “names” stamped on mattresses. “Chiropractic”, “chiropedic”, “orthopractic”, “orthopedic”, “back care”, “back guard”, “orthorest”, “ortholuxury”, “chiro supreme”, and so on all imply that special care has gone into the manufacture of a mattress that gives some special benefit for those who have back pain.

In fact, any mattress manufacturer can stamp almost anything on his mattress covers that he wants.

There is no watchdog, government agency that monitors mattress covers. Do not be fooled by these names.

Buy a mattress that is recommended by your doctor or chiropractor, or by a friend who has found relief from a certain brand. Buy according to price, store policy, comfort, and manufacturer’s reputation. Do not buy because something “important sounding” is stamped on the cover.