Marcia

“A Canadian physiologist named Norman Kasting discovered that bleeding animals induces the release of the hormone vasopressin; this reduces their fevers and spurs their immune system into higher gear. The connection isn’t unequivocally proven in humans, but there is much correlation between bloodletting and fever reduction in the historic record. Bleeding also may have helped to fight infection by reducing the amount of iron available to feed an invader, providing an assist to the body’s natural tendency to hide iron when it recognizes an infection.”
― Sharon Moalem, Survival of the Sickest: A Medical Maverick Discovers Why We Need Disease

“Children were an act of optimism—sheer belief that the future will outshine the present.”
― Samantha Silva, Mr. Dickens and His Carol

“You cannot stop religion from evolving.”
― A.J. Jacobs, The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible As Literally As Possible

“Ginger was an understatement, Morrigan thought, trying to hide her astonishment as the hat came off. Ginger of the Year or King Ginger or Big Gingery President of the Ginger Foundation for the Incurably Ginger would have been more accurate. His mane of bright copper waves could probably have won awards.”
― Jessica Townsend, Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow