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control of one hand, which can be waving or unbuttoning a shirt, while the person is trying to do something else. In Stanley Kubrick's film, Dr, Strangelove, Peter Sellers' mechanical hand alternated between hitting himself, and saluting. Even though victims of this syndrome say the hand still has sensations, they also report that it seems to "have a mind of its own." (It is suggested that a person should keep it away from their throat. No kidding!)

Riley-Day Syndrome is the condition of feeling no pain. Sounds great on the surface, but it is actually quite dangerous. The victims of this disease don't feel burns, or cuts, or bruises. They also don't feel when they're holding their breath, which can cause them to pass out. These patients generally die young, about half of them before 30, due to injuries.

Finally, there's Proteus Syndrome, named after the Greek god famous for changing his shape. The most well known victim of this disease was Joseph Merrick, better known as "The Elephant Man." Since it was first identified in 1979, there have been just over a 100 cases. The condition causes abnormal bone development and horrible, disfiguring tumors.

Modern medicine has come so far in diagnosing and curing disease, but there is still a lot to learn.

Sources: http://abcnews.go.com/Primetim e/Story?id=2258069&page=1
h ttp://www.ratewall.com/cnt/vie w_group.aspx?cgi=343
http://en. wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgellons
h ttp://www.mayoclinic.com/healt h/morgellons-disease/SN00043
ht tp://www.ktvu.com/news/9264350 /detail.html
http://en.wikipedi a.org/wiki/Pica_(disorder)
http ://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proge ria#Symptoms
http://www.smh.com .au/news/health-and-fitness/my -brother-is-an-alien/2006/02/0 8/1139379562020.html?page=full page

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