Hipaa Privacy Rule :: Healthcare Medical Information Privacy

1. Presentation Today, you have more explanation than any other time in recent memory to think about the protection of your clinical data. This data was once put away in bolted file organizers and on dusty retires in the clinical records division. Your doctor(s) used to be the sole manager of your physical and emotional well-being data. With the present use of electronic clinical records programming, data talked about in certainty with your doctor(s) will be recorded into electronic information documents. The conspicuous concern - the potential for your records to be seen by many outsiders who work in human services, the protection business, and a large group of organizations related with clinical associations. Luckily, this catastrohic situation will probably be stayed away from. Congress tended to developing open worry about protection and security of individual wellbeing information, and in 1996 passed â€Å"The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act† (HIPAA). HIPAA sets the national standard for electronic exchanges of wellbeing information. Before HIPAA, each state set their own gauges. Presently states must submit to the base gauges set by HIPAA. States can establish laws to consolidate and additionally reinforce the fundamental rights given by HIPAA. How HIPAA's Privacy Rule Protects YOU; The Patient Access to your own clinical records Before HIPAA, access to YOUR clinical records were not ensured by government law. Just about a large portion of the states had laws giving patients the option to see and duplicate their own clinical records. You might be charged for duplicates yet HIPAA sets expense limits. You Must Be Given Notice Of Privacy Practices How your clinical data is utilized and uncovered should now be given to you. The notification should likewise disclose to you how to practice your privileges and how to record a grievance with your human services supplier and with the DHHS Office of Civil Rights. HIPAA Requires Accounting of Disclosure Details You reserve the option to realize who has gotten to your wellbeing records for the earlier six years, However there are a few special cases to the bookkeeping prerequisite. Bookkeeping isn't required when records are revealed to people who see your records for treatment, installment, and social insurance activities. These people don't should be recorded in the exposure log. Recording A Complaint On the off chance that you accept a medicinal services supplier or wellbeing plan has damaged your protection you reserve the privilege to record a grievance with your social insurance supplier and with DHHS. Unique Requests For Confidential Communications. You can make extraordinary solicitations indicating how you might want your PCP's office handle classified correspondence.

Hunger game Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Appetite game - Essay Example Despite the fact that it isn't reasonable, the issues talked about and appeared in the film are more than genuine. There is a gigantic difference between life in locale and the capital of the nation called Panem. It escalates imbalance and isolation of the poor in this apparently enlightened society. The film purposefully misrepresents styles of Panem residents and taunts their propensities. Simultaneously, these individuals are better than others since they have cash and force. The show is intended to get all individuals far from the contemplations about revolting against this low framework. From numerous points of view, it uncovers how unscripted TV dramas work in media. Love, demise and brutality become simply great components to keep individuals engaged with the show. No one thinks about the way that individuals really kick the bucket during the game. All onlookers want to watch the improvement of the story and commend the main survivor. They need to see genuine torment, tears and want to endure on the grounds that their agreeable and rich life become totally exhausting for them. This film is remarkable in light of the fact that it shows how governmental issues and media blend turning out to be one integral asset of impact. The makers of the tell realize the best way to control with general sentiment and give individuals expectation or dread. The estimation of human life rises to zero since individuals become objects. Their activities are foreordained by the conditions made by makers and planners. This ethical debasement portrayed in the film rouses individuals to update their present demeanor to commercialization and media. The film recommend some sensible improvement to present day culture which is seen as the highest point of enlightened world throughout the entire existence of man. It uncovers that the world isn't simply; individuals who have power misuse others and use media to grow their impact. Frail individuals and their inclination become just components of the show to engage

How Long Does Lortab Stay in Your System

How Long Does Lortab Stay in Your System Addiction Drug Use Opioids Print How Long Does Lortab Stay in Your System? Lortab in Your Blood, Urine, Hair, Saliva By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on January 23, 2020 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 10, 2020 Mladen Zivkovic/ Getty Images More in Addiction Drug Use Opioids Cocaine Heroin Marijuana Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Hallucinogens Prescription Medications Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery In This Article Table of Contents Expand How Long Does It Take to Feel Effects? How Long Does Lortab Last? Factors That Affect Detection Time How to Get Lortab Out of Your System Symptoms of Overdose Getting Help View All Back To Top Lortab is a combination drug prescribed to relieve moderate to severe pain. It combines the opiate hydrocodone with acetaminophen (Lortab) or with aspirin (Lortab ASA). Similar hydrocodone-acetaminophen combination products include Anexsia, Anolor DH, Lorcet, Norco, Vicodin, and Zydone. The main difference between these medications is the amounts of hydrocodone and acetaminophen contained in one dose. Drugs that contain hydrocodone like Lortab are classified as Schedule II drugs, meaning they are considered to have a high potential for misuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence. While this medication is in your system, you are at risk for drug interactions and overdoses. Knowing how long Lortab is present in the body can help you understand and avoid these risks. How Long Does Lortab Stay in Your System? Blood: Up to 24 hoursUrine: Up to three daysSaliva: Up to three daysHair: Up to 90 days Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen for Treating Pain How Long Does It Take to Feel Effects? Lortab is taken as an oral tablet, so the drug must first pass through the digestive system before it takes effect. The acetaminophen component of Lortab is absorbed rapidly from the gastrointestinal tract and start having pain-relieving effects within 30 minutes. The hydrocodone in Lortab acts more slowly, but usually begins working within 30 to 60 minutes of ingestion. The package insert for Lortab suggests that following a 10mg oral dose, the hydrocodone component reaches peak blood concentration levels 1.3 hours after ingestion.?? The pain-relieving effects usually last between four and six hours. How Long Does Lortab Last? Determining exactly how long Lortab is active or detectable in the body depends on many variables.  The acetaminophen in Lortab has a half-life in the blood of about one and a quarter to three hours. This is the time in which half of it is no longer acting in your system. The exact half-life can vary depending on a number of factors, including how well your liver functions. Hydrocodone is processed by the liver and broken down into metabolites including hydromorphone and norhydrocodone. Approximately 85% of a single dose is eliminated through urine within 24 hours.?? Hydrocodone has a half-life of about four hours; it takes five to six half-lives to eliminate most of the drug from your system. That said, hydrocodone can be detected in the urine for up to three days. If you take a urine drug screen while you are taking Lortab, it is likely to test positive for opiates. Be sure to disclose your medications to the testing laboratory so they can interpret your test accurately. Urine Lortab will show up on the standard drug screenings that are commonly administered in employment, forensic, and medical settings. It is detectable by urine tests for up to three days after last use, although individual detection windows can vary depending on factors including metabolism and frequency of use. Blood Blood tests are used less frequently than urine screenings. While the detection windows are much shorter, blood tests may be used in some cases to help confirm an unexpected positive result on a urine test. Blood tests can usually only detect the presence of hydrocodone for up to 24 hours after the last dose. Saliva Hydrocodone is detectable in oral fluid for up to three days after the last dose of Lortab.  Like urine tests, saliva tests are fairly non-invasive and inexpensive to administer. However, Lortab can also cause side effects such as dry mouth, which can impact the ability to collect an adequate sample. Hair As with other substances, the hydrocodone component of Lortab is detectable through a hair follicle test for as long as 90 days. Hair tests are not normally part of a standard drug screen but may be used in some cases to evaluate past drug use. False Positive Testing While a useful, simple, and inexpensive tool, immunoassay urine drug screens can return false-positive results. Quinolone antibiotics such as levofloxacin and ofloxacin can cause a false-positive opiate screening.?? The consumption of poppy seeds can cause a false positive test result for opiates. While only present in trace amounts, poppy seeds do contain enough codeine and morphine to show up on enzyme immunoassay (EIA) tests that are often used in workplace and medical drug screenings.?? Certain medications, including allergy drugs containing diphenhydramine and doxylamine, can also produce false positives for opiates. Tell the testing lab about any medications that you are currently taking or if you have consumed poppy seeds in any form so that they are able to accurately interpret your test results. Factors That Affect Detection Time It is important to remember that the above detection windows are just estimates. There are a number of different variables that can influence how long Lortab will remain in your system. Age The prescribing information for Lortab suggests that there is not enough research on whether the drug affects the elderly differently.?? However, since the drug is excreted primarily by the kidneys and because older adults are more likely to have decreased renal function, this may mean that the drug stays in an older persons system for a longer period of time.   Metabolism Overall metabolism plays a critical role in determining how long a substance remains in the body. People with faster metabolisms tend to process substances more quickly, while those with slower metabolisms may have slower clearance rates. Fluid Intake Because Lortab is excreted primarily by the kidneys, the amount of fluid you take in can impact how quickly the drug is flushed out of your body. It can also impact how detectable substances are by diluting the amount that is in your urine. Liver and Kidney Function Hydrocodone and acetaminophen are both processed by the liver and excreted by the kidneys, so decreased hepatic or renal function can extend how long these substances remain in your system. Dosage and Duration of Use The amount of Lortab you are taking and how long you have been taking it also plays a major role in how long it can be detected in your body. It takes longer for higher doses to clear your system. If you have been taking Lortab for a while, it may build up in the tissues of your body, making it detectable for a longer period of time. Other Medications and Substances Alcohol and other substances can interact with hydrocodone and acetaminophen in Lortab and extend the detection time of these substances. Because your body may be trying to process multiple substances at the same time, it can slow down your bodys ability to effectively metabolize and excrete each substance. In particular, drugs that affect the pathway cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) make it more difficult for your body to process and clear hydrocodone.?? How to Get Lortab Out of Your System There are some reasons why you might want to get Lortab out of your system more quickly, such as if you are planning to switch to different medications or taking another medication containing acetaminophen or hydrocodone. Making sure that you are well hydrated, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise may help improve your bodys ability to metabolize and eliminate your medications more efficiently.   The first step to eliminating Lortab from your system is to stop taking it, but you should always talk to your doctor before you take this step.   Symptoms of Overdose One reason that it is important to know how long Lortab remains in the system is its potential to interact with other drugs. If the pain-killing effects of Lortab wear off, but the drug is still in the system, an overdose is possible if you take more of the drug or another drug containing the same ingredients too soon. The following are some of the symptoms that can occur with a Lortab overdose: Difficulty breathingSlowed or stopped breathingExcessive sleepinessSpasms of the stomach or intestinal tractDizzinessFaintingLimp or weak musclesLiver failureNarrowing or widening of the pupilsCold, clammy skinSeizuresSlow or stopped heartbeatStomach and intestinal spasmsBlue color of skin, fingernails, lipsLoss of consciousness or coma If You Suspect an Overdose Seek immediate medical help. Do not make the person vomit unless specifically told to do so by poison control (1-800-222-1222), a health care professional, or 911.It would be helpful to provide the following information if you can. Dont delay in calling for help to gather it, however:The persons age, weight, and health condition(s)Name of the product taken (ingredients and strength, if known)The time it was swallowedAmount swallowedIf the medication was prescribed for the patient Understanding Opioid Overdoses Overdose Treatment If someone experiencing a suspected Lortab overdose is taken to the emergency room, their vital signsâ€"including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressureâ€"will be monitored closely and their symptoms treated as appropriate. How well the overdose victim recovers will depend on how much of the drug they took and how quickly treatment was administered. The sooner they receive medical help, the better the prognosis. The prompt administration of the opioid-blocking drug naloxone (Narcan) can often reverse the overdose symptoms quite dramatically. How to Help Someone If They Overdose on Opioids Risk of Drug Interactions Taking Lortab carries the risk of dangerous interactions with a number of different substances including alcohol and other prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. You must not drink alcohol, take any medication containing alcohol, or use street drugs while you are taking Lortab or you risk life-threatening reactions. You should carefully review the list of the non-prescription and prescription drugs that you take (preferably with your doctor or pharmacist) to look for acetaminophen or paracetamol on the label. Interactions With Hydrocodone Some medications can interact with the hydrocodone in Lortab to produce breathing problems, sedation, or coma. You should avoid benzodiazepines, including Xanax (alprazolam), Librium (chlordiazepoxide), Klonopin (clonazepam), Diastat (diazepam), Valium (diazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), Restoril (temazepam), Halcion (triazolam), and others. Muscle relaxants, sedatives, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, and medicines for mental illness or nausea are also some of the drugs that interact with hydrocodone. Interactions With Other Acetaminophen-Containing Drugs While acetaminophen is found in over-the-counter products like Tylenol and some OTC cold and flu preparations, it has a narrow safety range. If you take more than 4000 milligrams in a day, you risk irreversible liver damage and even death. Often, people who have experienced this type of liver injury report that they didnt realize how much acetaminophen they were getting in aggregate from a variety of over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Combination drugs like Lortab are now limited to no more than 325mg of acetaminophen per tablet, capsule, or dosage unit to help prevent a dangerous overdose, but you should still take care to avoid any other medications containing acetaminophen while taking Lortab. Getting Help Taking Lortab can lead to physical dependence, even if you take your medication as directed. When your body becomes dependent on a drug, you need to continue taking it in order to avoid experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Always talk to your doctor if you want to decrease your dose or stop taking Lortab. Symptoms of opioid withdrawal can include: Runny noseMuscle achesFatigueChillsSweatingVomitingDiarrhea These symptoms can feel like having the flu and usually lasts for about five to seven days. When stopping Lortab, your doctor may want to gradually reduce your dose, a process known as tapering, in order to minimize these symptoms.   If you think you may be dependent or addicted to Lortab or other opioid medications,  talk to your doctor about your treatment options. Your doctor can help you stop taking your medication safely, manage your withdrawal symptoms, and find other pain relief options. Inpatient and outpatient services are also available that can help support your long-term recovery. If you need help finding treatment services in your area, reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 1-800-662-4357 or try their online treatment locator. Treatment for Opioid Addiction

Relativism, By Rachel s And Williams Standpoint On...

Relativism, defined by Rachel’s is the differentiation of cultural codes among societies, in respect to morality. Insofar the problem that is faced is whether or not there is a universal moral code all people can abide too? In explaining Rachel’s and Williams standpoint on Relativism and what they argue for, I on the other hand, will argue for relativism, in using some of Rachel’s views, in rejecting Williams conclusion of relativism. For Williams perceives no one outside of a society should impend on the social matters of a differing nation. To argue why his view is abstract, As well in many moral degrees, his philosophical conclusion could never be followed. For the axioms of morality are distinct, in varying situations, in which leads us to compare traditions, to see if they are right or wrong.. Rachel’s understanding of Relativism holds to the conclusion, that universal morality is a myth, and that there is no real truths of rightness, or wrongness. Th is view holds the disbelief that there are no similarities among differing cultures, yet on the ground of anthropology there are codes that remain as a consistent universal. In which it’s how these traditions are carried out that leave people in disgust, only too stigmatize differing societies as barbaric. Williams, holds that it’s ignorant and incorrect for us to create such views. If we don’t agree with a differing society than we merely shouldn’t get involved. Rachel draws such contrasts on the differences of burial

The International Declaration Of Human Rights Essay

Shehe Yuan 10HEY Dear Editor of the NZ Herald, Our country, New Zealand, is known worldwide as a beacon of human rights, from when it became the first country to grant women suffrage in 1893, but discrimination and prejudice runs rampant through its streets even today. Before you so vehemently deny this, damning accusation that it is, you must consider the discrimination against transgender citizens in this country. We can no longer simply tolerate trans citizens in New Zealand, but support them as you would your cisgender, or those who identify as the gender they were assigned at birth, brethren. Public and commercialised action needs to be taken to stop the casual prejudice against trans citizens in New Zealand before we can claim ourselves as a few and just country, because it is blatant oppression, harms questioning youth, and encourages the ignorance of Westernized ideals of conformity that we must transcend. The International Declaration of Human Rights states that no individual should suffer from discrimination, and that everyone, regardless of the minority they belong to, is equal before the law. However, transgender people are seemingly not owed this right, and trans discrimination flows through our society. Consequently, the findings from the Human Rights Commission Inquiry into Discrimination Experienced by Transgender People in 2008 confirmed that trans people face significant discrimination on a daily basis. An example that has also highlighted many otherShow MoreRelatedThe Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a Hard Law Instrument1494 Words   |  6 PagesThe Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the first global human rights treaty that was formulated. The main driving force behind the formation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was the Second World War, which in it course saw some of the worst human atrocities being committed on a global scale. The Declarati on was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on the 10th of December 1948. The term  soft law  refers to legal instruments which do not have any legally binding forceRead More International Charter Of Human Essay example980 Words   |  4 Pages International Declaration of Human Rights and Freedoms History nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;After the war crimes committed by the Germans in the holocaust that occurred during World War II, the United nations decided to create a document guaranteeing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all people, regardless of race, sex, language, or religion. This document was called The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The declaration was voted in on DecemberRead MoreReflection on Human Rights821 Words   |  4 PagesEssay on Universal Declaration of Human Rights Every single human being on this planet has rights. These rights are given to us through birth, and the day I was asked, what my human rights were, I found myself speechless. I did not know how to answer the question, which at the time sounded so easy. I forgot about the question that had me so puzzled, and just brushed it off, ironically six month later I get an assignment on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. After reading thisRead MoreThe Last Utopia By Samuel Moyn Essay951 Words   |  4 Pagesanticolonial movement was not a human rights struggle, writing, â€Å"If anticolonialism generally spurned human rights, one might say, it was because it was a rights of man movement, with all the prior fidelity to the state that concept implied in modern history.† Moyn’s emphasis on the state here is telling. Because the rights that a nation could provide were particular to its citizens, not international, they could not be human rights. The â€Å"ri ghts of man† were not the rights of all. Further, Moyn viewsRead MoreThe, Universal Declaration Of Human Rights980 Words   |  4 PagesFormed with the intention of promoting international peace and cooperation among sovereign states, the United Nations seemed like a logical step in to ensuring universal rights. In 1948, the â€Å"Universal Declaration of Human Rights† was adopted with the intention of protecting and ensuring human rights, which had become a prominent issue among the international community following the bloodiest war in human history. While the â€Å"Universal Declaration of Human Rights† was undoubtedly crafted with good intentionsRead More10 Principles Regaarding Ethical Clinic and Set of Guidelines on Clinical Research1071 Words   |  5 PagesNuremberg Code is a set of 10 sophisticate principles regarding ethical clinical research on human being (Grodin, 1994). It is mainly for protection of subjects’ human right (Shuster, 1997), such as compulsory of informed consent and the equal authority of subjects as the physician-researcher to end the experiment. 1.2 Helsinki Declaration (1964) Helsinki Declaration is a set of guidelines on clinical research for physician as their responsibility toward protection of their research subjectsRead MoreA Critical Evaluation Of The Universal Nature Of Human Rights1329 Words   |  6 PagesCRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE UNIVERSAL NATURE OF HUMAN RIGHTS INTRODUCTION Human Rights are the rights, that are considered to be inalienable, inseparable and vested upon individual by virtue of being human. For example, the Oxford English Dictionary defined the universal nature of Human Rights as ‘a right which is believed to belong to every person’. The aim of this essay is to critically evaluate the universal and relative nature of human rights postulated by the eminent scholars, who have arguedRead MoreThe Universal Declaration Of Human Rights Essay1368 Words   |  6 PagesUniversal Declaration of Human rights was adopted in the UN general assembly by the 10th December 1948. This is the first time that the world recognized that everyone had the right to enjoy freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom from fear and want, and many other rights. International human rights come along way; before there was no rights. The idea of having rights that led to the development of international human rights takes time. There are benchmarks developments in international humanRead MoreUnited Nations Adoption of the Universal Declaration1437 Words   |  6 PagesThe Universal Declaration was adopted by the UN in 1948. Amongst other things, it guarantees free speech, assembly, religion, and the basic necessities of life, like fo od and housing; it says that everyone has the right to work, to equal and fair pay for equal work, and that all have the right to be free from slavery, torture, and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. The basic premises are that a) people do not have to do or be anything in particular in order to enjoy human rights but that theyRead MoreRefugees Of Refugees And Asylees Essay1043 Words   |  5 PagesTorres 1 Virgenmina Torres GNED-400: Paper 4 Professor Grigg/Narita October 20, 2016 Asylees and Refugees Refugees and Asylees are defined as, â€Å"Under international law as being outside their home country and having a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, according to Bridging Refugee Youth Children Services article, â€Å"Refugee 101.† In the United States, refugee and asylees resettlement was

Practical Assignment Introduction to Information Technology Free Essays

Objective This coursework aims to provide students an opportunity to explore the use of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Powering to enhance their understanding of the application software features in word document and power-point slides presentation. Grouping This Is a group-based assignment. Student must form a group with minimum 4 members and maximum 5 members. We will write a custom essay sample on Practical Assignment: Introduction to Information Technology or any similar topic only for you Order Now Note: same group members of theory assignment. Plagiarism All work is to be the result of the student’s own individual and group effort. Students found to have copied others’ work will be penalized for plagiarism. A student who plagiarisms will receive zero point credit on the assignment. Late Policy The assignment should be submitted on the due date stated below unless there are legitimate reasons as to why a student can not complete the assignment by due date. As a general rule, no extension of time will be granted. Assignment received after the due date without legitimate reason will be penalized. Submission date: 22/07/2014 (Tuesday, week 1 1) Assignment return week: Week 14 To begin†¦ Find an article from newspapers, internet, magazines etc. And you have to make sure the article is able to match the features checklist [PART 2 FILE]. The article that you have selected must get the approval from your tutor. Take note: the article length must be at least a full page long of AAA paper size and/or at least 400 words. You can refer an article sample In Attachment 1 on Cell. Task 1: Based on the article that approved by your tutor, you need to design that article into organized. Task 2: Retained the contents of the article you designed in task 1 you need to create a retrieve and great-looking Power-point presentation slides show. Note: The power- point slides length must be between 10- 15 slides long. Assessment This assignment contributes 70% of the overall practical course assessment. Submission Details and Report Sequence Assignment report must properly staple with suitable labels. Use AAA sized paper with printing on one side only. Arrange the assignment report follow the sequence below: 1 . Submission form (is a cover page, you can download from. Plagiarism statement (you can download from Cell- PART 3 FILE) 3. Plagiarism statement form (you can download from Cell Features Checklists (you can download from Cell – PART 2 FILE) 5. Acknowledgement 6. Table of Contents 7. Word report 8. Powering presentation slides Note: Printed in Landscape Orientation with 4 slides in a sheet 9. References (follow Harvard Referencing System) Note: Inappropriate referencing style will cause marks deduction Save a softly of Powering presentation in a CD for Submission. (One tutorial class submit one CD ONLY which contains all different groups Powering slides show) How to cite Practical Assignment: Introduction to Information Technology, Papers

No One Writes To The Colonel By Gabriel Garcia Marquez Essays

No One Writes to the Colonel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez Suppression of Pride In a state of martial law one individual does not have much to say. This statement holds true in the novel, "No One Writes to the Colonel," by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The author discusses the political climate of one man, the Colonel, who after fighting to create the government in power is being controlled by the bureaucracy. A corrupt government can ruin a man, sap his will, and drive him mindless with hunger; although times are hard the Colonel keeps his dignity and pride. The government, through the use of martial law, controls the people quite readily. The government maintains itself through "Big-Brother" tactics that include the use of censors, secret police, and ordinances like "TALKING POLITICS FORBIDDEN." The sweeping control that is present under this martial law is evident in the every day life of the Colonel and the people of his town. The first example of the nature of their lives is shown through the funeral. A poor musician has died of natural causes; the first in a long period of time. The government in attempt to avoid a demonstration and possibly a riot, reroutes his funeral procession to avoid the police barracks. Since the musician is a first to have died of natural causes, we can assume that martial law has resulted in the untimely death of many people. Another example is the death of the Colonel's son, Agustin, Whom after his death has become the embodiment of the underground. It is rightly so, being that he was the writer of the "clandestine" papers. "'Agustin wrote.' The Colonel observed the deserted street. 'What does he say?' 'The same as always.' They gave him the clandestine sheet of paper" (p.32) Martial law has restricted the free flow of ideas; therefore, they have had to become accustomed to using secrecy. The doctor is part of the information transfer by passing uncensored news articles to the Colonel. The government is undoubtedly aware of these happenings, nevertheless it allows the people some sanctity in them. This fact is evident in the instance where a soldier that stops the Colonel, does not search him. Although the oppression is difficult, the Colonel's dignity and pride helps him to not give up on the pension claim he made to Congress 15 years ago. He shows impressive perseverance through his patient wait for the letter recognizing his request. The Colonel's dignity is important to him; he would much rather write a letter requesting the change of lawyer by hand than ask someone to type the letter as a favor to him. This dignity and pride has caused much hardship in his family's life. They have had to literally scrape by to survive. The novel begins with the Colonel preparing his wife a last cup of coffee by scraping a coffee can with a knife, mixing "bits of rust" with "the last scrapings of ground coffee." (p.1) Themes of oppression are counter-balanced by tenacity shown in the Colonel's long wait. Every Friday the Colonel waits for the postmaster at the launch and follows him to the post office. When he receives nothing the Colonel feels ashamed. The Colonel knows that the state of affairs is not in order and most likely there will never be anything for him, and yet year after year, hoping that the day will come, he waits for the letter. "Fifteen years of waiting had sharpened his intuition. The rooster had sharpened his anxiety." (p.20) He lies to the doctor in his claim that he "wasn't expecting anything" (p.21); and with an innocent childlike look he says "no one writes to me." (p.21) This attempt at covering up his actual reason for being at the post office is an example of his self pride. The Colonel does not want to broadcast the depth of his predicament even though almost everyone is aware. His wife tells him to go sell their clock with firm reproach that they might eat. The Colonel ends up getting an overnight loan in the belief that the letter would come the next day. Hunger is a powerful force, and it drives the Colonel and his wife to contemplate selling the rooster or making stew with it. Somehow they always find just a little bit of money to buy more coffee and sometimes cheese. These people can never succumb to charity and have always tried to sell something when times became increasingly difficult. His wife even boils stones so the neighbors