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Read more about Salmonella food poisoning

Salmonella. Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)

Salmonella food poisoning

Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health: Infancy through Adolescence

Salmonella food poisoning Definition Salmonella food poisoning is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation (swelling) of the lining of the stomach and intestines (gastroenteritis ). The causative bacteria is called Salmonella. While domestic and wild animals, including poultry, pigs, cattle, and pets such as turtles, iguanas, chicks, dogs, and cats can transmit this illness, most people b... Read more

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Read more about Afghanistan

Afghanistan. Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)

Afghanistan

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition

Afghanistan , officially Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, republic (2005 est. pop. 29,929,000), 249,999 sq mi (647,497 sq km), S central Asia. Afghanistan is bordered by Iran on the west, by Pakistan on the east and south, and by Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan on the north; a narrow strip, the Vakhan (Wakhan), extends in the northeast along Pakistan to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regio... Read more

 
Read more about socialized medicine

socialized medicine. Flickr (Flickr user aflcio, CC)

socialized medicine

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition

socialized medicine publicly administered system of national health care. The term is used to describe programs that range from government operation of medical facilities to national health-insurance plans. In 1948, Great Britain passed the National Health Service Act that provided free physician and hospital services for all citizens. The system was later amended, now charging a small fee for th... Read more

 
Read more about global warming

global warming. Wikimedia Commons (Xavax, GFDL)

global warming

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition

global warming the gradual increase of the temperature of the earth's lower atmosphere as a result of the increase in greenhouse gases since the Industrial Revolution . The temperature of the atmosphere near the earth's surface is warmed through a natural process called the greenhouse effect. Visible, shortwave light comes from the sun to the earth, passing unimpeded through a blanket of therma... Read more

 
Read more about immigration

Canadian Illustrated News, 1880, "Come to Stay". Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)

immigration

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition

immigration entrance of a person (an alien ) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. High rates of immigration are frequently accompanied by militant, and sometimes violent, calls for immigration restriction or deportation... Read more

 
Read more about French Revolution

French Revolution. Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)

French Revolution

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition

French Revolution political upheaval of world importance in France that began in 1789. Origins of the Revolution Historians disagree in evaluating the factors that brought about the Revolution. To some extent at least, it came not because France was backward, but because the country's economic and intellectual development was not matched by social and political change. In the fixed order of the ... Read more

 
Read more about United Nations

United Nations. Wikimedia Commons (Madden, CC)

United Nations

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition

United Nations (UN), international organization established immediately after World War II. It replaced the League of Nations . In 1945, when the UN was founded, there were 51 members; 192 nations are now members of the organization (see table entitled United Nations Members ). Organization and Principles The Charter of the United Nations comprises a preamble and 19 chapters divided into 111 a... Read more

 
Read more about Federal Reserve System

Federal Reserve System. Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)

Federal Reserve System

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition

Federal Reserve System central banking system of the United States. Established in 1913, it began to operate in Nov., 1914. Its setup, although somewhat altered since its establishment, particularly by the Banking Act of 1935, has remained substantially the same. Structure The Federal Reserve Act created 12 regional Federal Reserve banks, supervised by a Federal Reserve Board. Each reserve bank ... Read more

 
Read more about food adulteration

food adulteration. Shutter stock (ShutterStock)

food adulteration

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition

food adulteration act of intentionally debasing the quality of food offered for sale either by the admixture or substitution of inferior substances or by the removal of some valuable ingredient. The Greek and Roman classics contain allusions to wine makers and dealers who colored and flavored their wine. In England as early as the 13th cent., bakers cheapened their wares or scanted the weight, an... Read more

 
Read more about baseball

baseball. Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)

baseball

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition

baseball bat-and-ball sport known as the national pastime of the United States. It derives its name from the four bases that form a diamond (the infield) around the pitcher's mound. Basic Rules Teams consist of nine players who use a leather-covered hard ball, a wooden (in the professional game) or aluminum bat, and padded gloves. Additionally, the batter, catcher, and home-plate umpire wear spe... Read more