Once every several years, I have had to speak to a student about this.
I start with a discussion of the peculiar cerebral connections of the
olfactory system (which is the only sensory system not censored by the
thalamus).  I then point out that anti-perspirants are not the only
solution.  Triclosan (a deodorant) is much gentler to the skin than zirconyl
chloride (an antiperspirant).  For those who can't tolerate triclosan,
washing the axillae with soap, water, and a paper towel twice a day does
just as well.  (With practice, one can do this with one's shirt on and only
one button unbuttoned.)
				Allen A. Smith
				School of Graduate Medical Sciences
				Barry University
				Miami Shores, FL 33161

-----Original Message-----
From: Mary Molter [mailto:molter@mcw.edu]
Sent: Monday, April 03, 2000 9:31 AM
To: MFAIRM@aol.com; Histonet
Subject: Re: Personal Hygiene


I missed some of the discussion, but I guess I'm assuming you're talking 
about an odor problem. We're having a similar problem. How do we approach
him without hurting his feelings? This guy bikes to work everyday...yikes!
The other problem is that he doesn't wear antiperspirant because of the
chemicals in it. Rumor has it that there's a can of deodorant in his desk
drawer but no evidence that he uses it.

How do you deal with someone like that especially given his beliefs? He
holds a position of authority and most of us feel it's a pretty
unprofessional thing to let himself smell that way in front of others.

Any thoughts?

--
Mary Molter
Sr. Laboratory Technologist
Bone Marrow Transplant
Cell Processing Laboratory
Mary_M@bmt.mcw.edu

----------
>From: MFAIRM@aol.com
>To: mikek@mail.saimr.wits.ac.za, HistoNet@pathology.swmed.edu
>Subject: Re: Personal Hygiene
>Date: Sun, Apr 2, 2000, 9:46 PM
>

> Our lab had the same problem a few years ago.  I had to sit down with him
> (not too close) and have a very frank (and awkward) chat with him about
the
> problem.  It worked!
> Mara
>