SUE ALEXANDER was thinking about St. John's Wort and keyed into 
cyberspace:
SA>MARK PROBERT wrote in a message to SUE ALEXANDER:
SA> MP>>> The three-year study will involve 336 patients with major
SA> MP>>> depression, of  whom one-third will receive a 900 milligram
SA> MP>>> (mg) daily dose of St.  John's wort, one-third will receive a
SA> MP>>> placebo, and one-third will  receive a selective serotonin
SA> MP>>> reuptake inhibitor.
SA> SA>> Are you familiar with the use of St John's wort?  I was
SA> SA>> wondering if this is an appropriate dose for treatment purposes
SA> SA>> and if there are any interactions with drugs or food.
SA> MP>> The purpose of the study is to determine safety, efficacy,
SA> MP>> dosage and  interactions.
SA> MP>> I would never presume to know such things before they are
SA> MP>> empirically  tested.
SA> SA> I was actually trying to figure out if they were really trying
SA> SA> to test it or setting it up for failure.  From your answer, I
SA> SA> presume you can't help me...oh, well.
SA> MP> Why didn't you ask the question outright?
Re-read what I said. 
SA>     I asked questions pertaining to some aspects of the study that I
SA>thought would help me in determining what I wanted to know about the
SA>validity.  Why did you not answer my question (re whether you were
SA>familiar with St John's wort) outright?
SA>MP> Actually, you are partially right, I cannot help you.
SA>     You have more than adequately shown that to me and the other
SA>posters. Thank you for your time, that is what I wanted to know.
You are welcome.
               The Few. The Proud. The Chosen.
                     markprobe@aol.com
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 * CMPQwk #1.4 * UNREGISTERED EVALUATION COPY
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