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> Since it was created in 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been busily trying to protect everyone's health--except, apparently, that of its own employees. The oversight is documented in a draft report prepared by another federal watchdog agency, the General Accounting Office, after visits by inspectors to eleven of EPA's 60 laboratories. The report says that more than half the 1,329 scientists, technicians and other employees in these labs had been exposed to toxic and other hazardous substances without the safeguard of satisfactory health-monitoring services, which are required by law. One example cited: six employees of the labs at Research Triangle Park, N.C., experienced nausea, headaches and sore throats after exposure to acid fumes last year, but none were given follow-up medical tests. In a Denver facility, workers were found to be regularly breathing dangerous dust particles and noxious gases. The revelations of environmental hazards in its own labs plainly embarrassed the EPA. But a spokesman insisted: "We recognize the need for action in certain labs, and have already started to clean up problems."

> Abe Lincoln had many skills, but the New England Journal of Medicine recalls one that contemporary doctors (and their lawyers) may especially appreciate. In 1856, while he was practicing law in the Springfield, Ill., area, the future President was asked by two physician friends to defend them in a malpractice suit brought by an elderly man whom they had treated for a leg fracture. Though the break eventually knitted, the limb was slightly shorter than before. Briefed by the doctors on the difference age makes in the brittleness and healing of bone, Lincoln dramatically demonstrated the point in court with broken chicken bones. Then Lincoln turned to the plaintiff and said, "Mr. Fleming, instead of bringing suit against these surgeons, you should go on your knees and thank God and them that you have your leg. Most other practitioners would have insisted upon amputation." The impressed jury decided the case for the doctors and assessed the plaintiff court costs.

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