The latest issue of the New England Journal of Medicine (Volume 357, Number 4) contains a short article about Oscar, a cat that seems to possess the ability to predict when people are about to die. Oscar's home is the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Providence, Rhode Island, so he has many chances to be around dying people. When patients are about to die, he curls up next to them and happily sleeps there, until they're dead. Then he quietly exits the room. Most of the time the dying patients are so sick they don't even know he's there. The article in the NEJM states:
Since he was adopted by staff members as a kitten, Oscar the Cat has had an uncanny ability to predict when residents are about to die. Thus far, he has presided over the deaths of more than 25 residents on the third floor of Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Providence, Rhode Island. His mere presence at the bedside is viewed by physicians and nursing home staff as an almost absolute indicator of impending death, allowing staff members to adequately notify families. Oscar has also provided companionship to those who would otherwise have died alone. For his work, he is highly regarded by the physicians and staff at Steere House and by the families of the residents whom he serves.
Oscar is a cute cat, but my first thought was whether Oscar could somehow be causing or hastening the deaths of the patients, though I can't imagine how this could be. An
Associated Press article raises some other possibilities:
No one's certain if Oscar's behavior is scientifically significant or points to a cause. Teno wonders if the cat notices telltale scents or reads something into the behavior of the nurses who raised him.
Nicholas Dodman, who directs an animal behavioral clinic at the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and has read Dosa's article, said the only way to know is to carefully document how Oscar divides his time between the living and dying.
If Oscar really is a furry grim reaper, it's also possible his behavior could be driven by self-centered pleasures like a heated blanket placed on a dying person, Dodman said.
Normally I'm happy if a cat curls up with me, but in Oscar's case, I would be a little concerned. (Thanks, Big Gary)
Comments
tez
Why else would the CBS Evening News have spent 490 words on him the other night when they only spent 109 words on the FBI Director calling the Attorney General a liar?
Clearly, Oscar is the Biggest News Story of 2007. I mean, it's not as if there's a war on, or an administration that's out of control, or anything.
"to pay pennance for that, God has relegated him to serve humans for 1 lifetime"
How would that serve anyone? I think that instead of a cat by their side, a dying person would much rather have God cure their illness.
Have an open mind, you say? Open your mind to the fact that most people are poor observers and analyzers of statistical data. That's why science has very strict protocols. I'm sure if this cat's actions were studied scientifically there would be a much different conclusion.
all i stated was what i have seen.. did i say anywhere what i thought of what oscar does.. i just stated i have seen him do what the article says. TAlk about closd minds...
get me out of here ... ..
"Al. Al. i feel bad for you actually, never seen so any haters on one site.."
Please provide example of the "hate" you claim to see.
"and if there was actually a God,, why would he make someone sick in the first place.. Dont reply.. i dont care what you think.."
Well, why God would make people sick in the first place is precisely the question Al was asking. Did you not understand that?
Why are you afraid of rational responses to your postings? If you "don't care" what people think about what you say, why do you tell it to them?
"His mere presence at the bedside is viewed by physicians and nursing home staff as an almost absolute indicator of impending death, allowing staff members to adequately notify families."
For your information, my comments were directed at Adrian Parker. That said, I noticed you didn't have anything bad to say about the writers of the article who wrote what the staff "believes", so why would you be upset about my comments?
You then said:
"did i say anywhere what i thought of what oscar does"
Yes you did:
"I have seen oscar do this several times. It is unbelievable, but true."
I think we can be excused for thinking you believe it too.
I did comment on people's poor judgement in these matters, but the truth is, everybody, myself included, have personal biases when observing things. Properly conducted science eliminates these biases. That's why the New England Journal of Medicine shouldn't be publishing articles based on personal opinions. In fact, the NEJM is being harshly criticized in science blogs for starting this whole thing.
Cranky, thanks for trying to explain things. You echoed my thoughts exactly. I don't know why Tez had a so much trouble with it.
"Why not just go for the obviouse? Why all the convoluted reasoning? The cat probobly picks up a scent that indicates the patient is in trouble, and the cat tries to "be there" for the patient, just as humans do."
THAT'S what you think is "obviouse" [sic]?
You're making at least one assumption in that statement.
Can you please tell us which "behaviorists" say that animals don't have emotions? I'm not aware of ANYONE who would say that. Animals, at least animals like cats and dogs, clearly have emotions and I don't think I've ever heard anyone deny that. Please note that "having emotions" does NOT mean that they necessarily can detect impending death and try to comfort the dying person. I'm talking about emotions like hunger, anger, jealousy, happiness.
Which is why, if I'm going to stroke a cat - I TAKE MY ANTI-HISTAMINES!!!!
Bring allergic to them doesn't mean you have to stay miles away from them. Just take your meds!
cool