[meteorite-list] Rare earth magnets and young un's

[MexicoDoug]

Hi List

Been having quite a hard time lately and no time to post or even follow 
my most favorite-ist group!

http://www.kptv.com/story/17070382/3-year-old-swallows-37-magnets-and-survives

Saw this article and it is a good chance for sayin' hi, and at the same 
time, if you are around any Jughaids n Taters toddlers that are natural 
hunters to be, these are the symptoms to keep in mind if they discover 
any magnets, not to be blindsided and in a terrible pinch - one magnet 
can do it.

--Not suggesting this - but if medical care is not easily accessible:  
A quick test, *only in experienced, cool, calm and patient hands* - a 
magnet suspended by a thread's deflection will do it for magnets and 
many magnetic metals, but with the utmost precaution not to get to 
close since there is not much flesh in between such little bodies and 
you could actually cause a perforation if it is another rare earth or a 
sharp piece of ferromagnetic metal.

--Better yet, file some iron into a baggie first, if there is the 
possibility of a rare earth and use it to scan their digestive tract, 
before trying the magnet on the string.

A swallow disaster is good to think about ahead of time, since having 
forethought does wonders to quell panick and mistakes.  It's no 
different than you would expect from your employer's health treatment 
policies if there are risks in the workplace, even if only a grandkid 
ocassional comes by.

The fast reaction in the link of this family and doctor's decision to 
over diagnose a seemingly minor situation saved this future meteorite 
hunting little girl's life!

A single magnet will likely pass; but two ingested separately is bad 
news all around.

Kindest wishes
Doug