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temporary relief, but then the symptoms came back. Laboratories are unable to identify the filaments.

Oklahoma State Professor Randy Wymore, said this is the biggest mystery that he's ever been involved in, as a scientist. A trained physiologist, he is leading a team at the university to gain insight on this tormenting illness. Wymore reported that his tests rule out textile fibers, worms, insects, and even skin and hair. He is absolutely sure that the filaments are not derived from the external environment. He believes that the fibers come from inside the body, and may be the sign of something infectious. Skin problems may be the least of a victim's worries, as the neurological effects are very troubling, and may be the result of a microorganism or neurotoxin that affects muscle control and memory. Hopefully further research will explain what patients are dealing with.

Pica is another unusual disorder characterized by an appetite for non-nutritive substances such as chalk, cigarette ash, glue, dirt, paper, and painted plaster. It can also include an abnormal appetite for certain food items such as starch, flour, ice, raw potatoes, etc. There is a very strong association between pica and iron deficiency anemia. On a personal note, a couple of years ago, I started craving ice (something I normally never ate.) I discovered later, that my hemoglobin was at such a low level, that I would need a blood transfusion if it dropped any lower. It was related to excessive blood loss as a symptom of premenopause. The craving stopped immediately when my iron level returned to normal.

Progeria is another startling extremely rare genetic childhood disease, which involves shocking premature aging. It affects approximately one in 8 million newborns worldwide. At first, the babies seem normal, but then their growth rate is stunted, and they begin to develop characteristics, such as baldness, old looking skin, and a large head with small facial features. Most disturbing, they begin to have diseases associated with old age, including joint stiffness, severe cardiovascular disease, and hip dislocations. There is no treatment or cure, though some children have resorted to coronary artery bypass surgery to deal with complications of atherosclerosis. On average, death occurs early in life, generally around 13, and most often results from heart attack or stroke.

Now here's a really weird one. It's called Dr. Strangelove Syndrome (also known as Alien Hand Syndrome), and it involves losing

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