Four Letters Re: The Human Appendix

Mr. Rawles: I am writing to address some of the questions in the letter on The Human Appendix. I am a physician who works at a large academic center. Regarding The letter writer’s questions, an inflamed appendix is not uncommon (This is know as appendicitis), and removal of the appendix is one of the simplest surgery’s we perform in modern medicine. It is unclear why the inflammation occurs, but if untreated it can be fatal. The appendix was historically thought to be a vestigial organ (useless), or an immune presenting organ ( i.e.: helps the immune system fight off infections). …


Letter Re: Fire: Your Partner in Survival

Dear JWR: The excellent article, “Fire: Your Partner in Survival, by Pledger” mentioned the BTU ratings of certain trees. Wanting to know a bit more, I did some searching and found a chart of the BTU ratings of various types of wood. On another note, Pledger’s reference to a cord as 4×8 feet by 16 inches threw me. I looked it up and found that a “full cord” measures 4x4x8 feet, which is the number I was familiar with, ranging from 80 to 100 cubic feet stacked. The web site I found uses 90 cubic feet for its BTU ratings. …


Auction Recap: PVS-14 Gen 3+ Night Vision Scope to Benefit C.R.O.S.S. Ministries

Reader M.V. was the final high bidder in the auction AN/PVS-14 Gen 3+ Night Vision Scope, with his very generous bid of $3,900. All proceeds (100%) will be donated to C.R.O.S.S. Ministries. (A very worthy Christian ministry that is sharing the Gospel of Christ in South Sudan. Their outreach method is unique: They are teaching rural villagers tactical marksmanship, water purification, and firefighting skills, free of charge.) The monocular is one of these. (The same model that we use here at the Rawles Ranch.) These night vision scopes normally retail for around $3,600. (Although Ready Made Resources sells them at …


News From The American Redoubt:

Gunwerks in Burlington, Wyoming has introduced several new products and they now offer a ballistics calculator, but their phenomenally accurate long range rifles are still their forte. Their long range shooting courses have been taught in Wyoming, Utah, West Virginia, Texas, and Canada.    o o o Larry Pratt will be speaking at two southern Idaho Patriots Night events! Friday, March 22, 2013 at the Nampa Civic Center, 311 Third Street South, Nampa, 6:00 p.m. Social Hour/Meet and Greet, 7:00 p.m. Keynote Speaker Larry Pratt followed by Q&A. Admission is $5.00 for Club members (Parma Rod and Gun Club, Nampa …


Economics and Investing:

Bitcoin Reaches Half Billion Dollar Market Capitalization B.B. sent: Jim Rogers: We’re Wiping Out The Savings Class Globally, To Terrible Consequence And A.K.H. suggested this (also at Zero Hedge): Fed Injects Record $100 Billion Cash Into Foreign Banks Operating In The US In Past Week Items from The Economatrix: A Year Of Improving Payroll Growth Starts Tomorrow ECRI Still Insists We’re In A Recession–We Just Don’t Know It Yet ECRI’s Achuthan:  US Recession Began In Mid-2012


Odds ‘n Sods:

How to Use a [BUSTED] Cell Phone to Meet 5 Basic Survival Needs. (Thanks to Otter for the link.)    o o o G.G. flagged this: UPDATE: Number Of U.S. Gun Makers Refusing Sales To Gov’t In ‘Firearms Equality Movement’ Triples In Two Weeks    o o o Reese Case: Prosecution Appeals Judge Brack’s Decision    o o o According to the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arm (CCRKBA), you should be aware of five pieces of pending Federal gun legislation: • H.R. 138 would ban transfer or possession of standard-capacity magazines, targeting those that hold …




Auction Update: PVS-14 Gen 3+ Night Vision Scope to Benefit C.R.O.S.S. Ministries

CURRENT BID is $3,900. (Generously bid by Reader M.V.) Hit reload to see any updates to this post made this evening. This is the last day of the benefit auction of a brand new AN/PVS-14 Gen 3+ Night Vision Scope. All proceeds (100% of your bid) will be donated to C.R.O.S.S. Ministries. (A very worthy Christian ministry that is sharing the Gospel of Christ in South Sudan. Their outreach method is unique: They are teaching rural villagers tactical marksmanship, water purification, and firefighting skills, free of charge.) The monocular is one of these. (The same model that we use here …


Pat’s Product Review: Bear & Son Damascus Hunter

Awhile back, I tested some automatic folding knives from Bear Ops, which is a division of Bear & Son Cutlery and was favorably impressed with the little tactical folders. Now, while I sincerely enjoy all the new types of stainless steel blade materials used on knives these days, I’ve always been fascinated with Damascus steel. Bear & Son is one of the few commercial knife manufacturers offering knives with Damascus blades. What we have in Damascus steel is a combination of different steels with different properties, that is hammer forged and folded back onto itself, to give you blades with …


Letter Re: Micro-Gasification Stoves – Taking it to the Next Level

Jim: Thanks again for the recent posting on my piece: Local Food and Energy from Top Lit Up Draft Micro-Gasification Stove. That was much appreciated! Are you tracking woodgas powered vehicles? You may have heard of it from WWII stories and FEMA manual. The old systems worked in emergencies, but were not really practical for long term use. Wayne Keith has a new book just out on practical applications, Have Wood Will Travel. In it are detailed instructions for building, operating, and maintaining a modern woodgas powered vehicle. Wayne has tinkered his way into the first system that is practical …


Letter Re: The Human Appendix

Sir: I have a medical question that I thought that maybe you could forward to Dr. Cynthia Koelker, your Medical Editor, on perhaps she could write an article.   My appendix was enflamed recently and they performed emergency surgery to remove it before it burst. My doctor said that his granddad, also a doctor, performed preventative surgery to remove his daughter’s (my doctor’s mom’s) appendix. He said that there is really no purpose for the appendix except to get infected and inflamed and burst. I agree that he is probably correct in this day and age, but when I asked …


Letter Re: Sodium Chloride IV Bag Expiry Dates

JWR, In my military life I can relate the reason for the expiration date on the bag is due to the bag not the fluid.  Plastic is not impermeable.  The rationale is after the date of expiration enough time has passed to question the integrity of the fluid.  The purity of the fluid can be compromised.  If you started a line and pushed the fluid you have a increased risk of infection.  The fluid is perfectly good for oral use.  It doesn’t taste very good but in a pinch it works. – Ken L.


Letter Re: Storing Coconut Oil

Jim, When I was in Costco this week, I noticed that they had Organic Coconut Oil. This coconut oil is a good storage fat because it is very shelf-stable. The manufacturer says it has a shelf life of two years, but a friend of mine told me that she had some that she stored in her basement for 6 years, and when she used it it was just fine.  Coconut oil is definitely healthier for you than Crisco (which is hydrogenated vegetable oil) or hydrogenated lard (the lard you commonly find in the grocery store); we’ve all heard about the …


Recipe of the Week:

KAF’s Five Fruit Bread 1 16 oz. can fruit cocktail 3 c all purpose flour 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1/3 c melted butter 1/4 c toasted slivered almonds 1/2 c sugar 1 1/2 tsp salt 2 eggs, beaten 1 Tblsp grated lemon peel Drain the syrup from fruit into a measuring cup and add enough water to it to make 1 cup. Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Stir syrup into flour mixture along with the eggs, butter, and lemon peel. Stir in fruit and almonds. Pour into greased 9 x 5″ loaf pan. Bake at 350 …