argument38_倒数6天_第四篇_跪求狠拍！

pigaretUID: 2749103

TOPIC: ARGUMENT38 - The following memo appeared in the newsletter of the West Meria Public Health Council.

"An innovative treatment has come to our attention that promises to significantly reduce absenteeism in our schools and workplaces. A study reports that in nearby East Meria, where fish consumption is very high, people visit the doctor only once or twice per year for the treatment of colds. Clearly, eating a substantial amount of fish can prevent colds. Since colds are the reason most frequently given for absences from school and work, we recommend the daily use of Ichthaid, a nutritional supplement derived from fish oil, as a good way to prevent colds and lower absenteeism."
WORDS: 432
TIME: 00:28:46
DATE: 2010/2/5 17:52:08

The speaker suggests that in order to prevent absenteeism, we should eat Ichthaid on daily basis. The reason s/he gives to support the statement is that Ichthaid has certain elements that has the same effect of fish which proves in a study to be effective of preventing colds. Since colds is the most frequetly reason given to absenteeism, Ichthaid can be useful to prevent colds and absenteeism. I find the claim with logical fallacies in severl aspects.

To begin with, whether eating fish can prevent colds based on that study is of a large question. First, not every person catching colds in East Meria would go to hospital for a treatment. Since colds is relatively not severe, people may tend to get medicines in the pharmacies instead of going for a doctor. Thus there is chances that people in East Meria catch colds very often. Second, given that people in EM really do have little chances of getting a cold, it may result from other possible matters rather than eating fish. Residents there may exercise a lot due to their good habits. In this case, eating fish serves no good to the prevention of illness.

Furthurmore, it is premature to regard Ichthaid as having the same effect of eating fish. Suppose that eating fish do help to get rid of colds, there are multiple elements besides fish oil that should be suspected to have the real effects. Given that fish oil does take effect, Ichthaid that made from the oil may turn out to be of no use since certain elements accountable for preventing colds have been lost in the extraction processes. Without giving any test papers to verify the chemical constitutions of Ichthaid, it is hard for anyone to believe the effect the medicine may have.

Finally, lower rate of colds do not necessarily end up in lower absenteeism. Colds are mostly given as reasons for absence. However, there are great chances that the people absent were only finding excuses. Anyway, illness is the most likely given reasons for absence since the teachers or employers tend to show simpathy instead of blame. Therefore, as long as other possible reasons for absence remains, reduction in colds is unlikely to solve any problems.

In sum, the statement fails to provide precise evidence to form the relation between Ichthaid and prevention of colds and lower absenteeism. To achieve the purpose, employers and teachers should place much focus on making stringent displines and give workers and students abundant time to relax rather than simply relying on eating medicine which seems to be a far-fetched solution.