Sonny Brocklebank

Dr. Canavan
English 2010
September 28, 2016
Beauty in a vile
Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Bathory also known as the Blood Countess is noted as the
most prolific female serial killer in the guinness world book of records. According to legend,
Bathory had a very unique beauty regimen. In order to maintain her youth, Bathory would torture
and murder adolescent woman to retrieve their blood. It was rumored that Bathory would then
bathe and drink the blood of these young maidens that she had murdered because she believed it
made her beautiful. The number of women who died at Bathorys hands remains unclear to this
day, however, due to scientific advancements we longer have stoop to this animalistic routine.
(Kimberly L. Craft, Infamous Lady: The True Story of Countess Erzsebet Bathory,
www.infamouslady.com)

. The early 1800s mark the birth of plastic surgery which specializes in
surgical procedures that alter the body for either reconstructive or cosmetic purposes. With this
special surgery not only improving appearances, it potentially carries added psychological and
health benefits.
Cosmetic surgery is most commonly associated as the practice that improves ones
appearance. Procedures are offered in a wide range spreading its appeal to both the needs of men
and women. For women the most common operations include breast augmentation, liposuction,
and facelifts. Common operations for men include breast reduction surgery, hair transplants and

pectoral implants. While the needs for plastic surgery differs between individuals, there is one
popular procedure that has both men and women flocking to plastic surgeons.
The want for this procedure has amplified due to the popular use and endorsement by
celebrities. This procedure gaining the attraction of everyone promises to eradicate the early
signs of aging from your face and restore your beauty. It is a special neurotoxic protein called
Botulinum toxin or more commonly known as Botox. Botox is a minimally invasive procedure
that helps reduce muscle contraction by blocking certain neurotransmitters. The end result being
temporary paralysis of the muscle and reduction of wrinkles in the process. With this beauty
treatment used by a wide range of people the discovery of Botulinum toxin may come as quite a
shock for Botox is the result of an epidemic food poisoning in Germany during the early 1800s.
Botulinum Toxin was originally discovered around 1817 by a German scientist Justinus
Kerner. At this time many people were falling ill due to the consumption of sausages. The effects
of these sausages include paralysis from the head down which in large doses left the victim
unable to breathe and die. Through close examination Kerner discovered the epidemic was the
result of improper preservation of the sausages being consumed. It is in these contaminated
sausages that the first strand of the neurotoxin protein botulinum toxin was discovered. Through
this tragedy Dr. Kerner hypothesized that small doses of Botulinum toxin could may indeed be
therapeutic. Discoveries for the use of botulinum toxin would continue to grow as the years went
on.
In the 1960s Dr. Allan Scott was looking for an answer to help relax the muscles in a
patients eye for those who suffered from strabismus. Strabismus is a condition in which their is
poor alignment in the eyes, an example would be someone who is cross eyed and cant bring

their eyes back to their normal state. In 1978 Dr. Scott began testing monkeys who suffered with
strabismus with a few substances. Botulinum toxin was his first choice to use for treatment but in
order to keep it fair he used a few other substances to determine if there was a better treatment
option. Scott soon discovered that botulinum toxin proved to be the most helpful agent in
relaxing the eyes suffering from strabismus. With a successful trial on the monkeys Scott
eventually received permission to start testing on human subjects and conduct research for other
treatments using botulinum toxin.
From there research on this protein would be passed down to Dr. Jean Carruthers who
had been trained by Dr. Scott on proper injections to help reduce strabismus and other hyper eye
movement. It was one of Carruthers patient who would make an accidental discovery that would
change the course of botulinum toxin forever. The patient insisted that Dr. Carruthers inject her
forehead because she noticed it reduced the signs of aging in her face. After deliberate
contemplation Dr. Carruthers would soon experiment on herself and came to discover the anti
aging properties of Botulinum Toxin.
After this discovery Botox is now one of the most effective ways to reduces wrinkles.
The procedure is done by injection of botulinum toxin with a syringe into the muscles. The
protein blocks signals from the nerves so that the muscle cannot contract temporarily. Botox may
be known for its anti aging properties however it has more than one use for it.
It was already stated that in the discovery the protein may be used to treat those who
suffer from strabismus however there is potentially other added health benefits to receiving this
treatment. Besides strabismus botox can also help help alleviate symptoms of hyperhidrosis.
Hyperhidrosis is classified as abnormal or excessive sweating. People can profusely sweat even

when they are in a cool environment or the person is at rest. The protein helps eliminate
excessive sweating and the embarrassing sweat stains that come with them.
There is another major benefit to using botox and that is the discovery of it alleviating
chronic migraines. The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) now supports the use of Botox
to treat those who suffer from chronic migraines. Migraines are extremely common and affect
nearly 37 million people just in the United States alone. (Migraine Statistics,
www.migraine.com) Results from this treatment seems to be only a 15% percent right now
however botox is used for those who have side effects to other forms of medication to stop
chronic migraines.
Botox can be used as a treatment but there are many who say that it is used as a
preventative measure too. The younger you start your treatments the more effective they will be.
Some doctors recommend starting botox in their 20s. The reason is because it will be
preventative. If you compare your skin to a piece of paper once you have folded it it is hard to
get that wrinkle out of the paper. However if you dont even fold the paper it will stay nice and
smooth. It is the exact same way with your skin.
Botox can be a useful tool however there are many cases of it being people abused
leading to a botched procedure. Botched is used to describe a badly done procedure by someone
who lacks the skill, knowledge, and education required by someone who is qualified.
One example of why you have to be cautious when getting this procedure is demonstrated
by the actions of Ian Harris. Harris had his medical registration stripped from him back in the
year 2000 due to his unsafe practices. It was claimed that Harris had continued to do injections
even with his medical registration stripped and left harm on those who went to him. Injecting

patients with botox and hyaluronic acid, which should not be mixed. He also injected the wrong
muscles and had even injected air into one patient. (Kate Aubusson, Botched botox by pretend
doctor,http://ic.galegroup.com)
Another case of someone imposing to be qualified has happened in Toronto, Canada. It
was said Shiva Askani impersonated as a nurse and advertised online botox injections from the
convenience of the customer's home. It was said that services were exchanged though cash only
and were very costly. Askani only had two clients and was then arrested for criminal negligence.
There is no confirmation that what she used was actually botox or was stored properly, however
the consequences for those on the receiving end of the treatment may have serious long term
effects. (The Canadian Press, Toronto Police Arrest 'Fake' Nurse Allegedly Offering Botox
Injections, www,theglobeandmail.com)
One of the most shocking cases of botched botox is in south Florida, where a woman who
was offering botox injections for a cheap price was working. Through the use of injections she
would promise her customers a bigger and better butt. Little did her clients know that the
contents inside the syringe was actually cement, mineral oil, and sealant used to fix flat tires
.One woman paid $700 to the woman. After her procedure she was rushed to the hospital by her
mom with flu like symptoms and severe abdominal pain.(Associated Press, Fake doctors inject
cement into a womans rear, Police Say, www.foxnews.com)
Aside from malpracticing doctors there are other reasons to be cautious on why you
would get this procedure done. Botox normally has about a starting rate at about $500 minimum
per treatment. With such an expensive treatment it would be ideal that results would stay for a
long time period. However that is not the case, Botox typically leave the system in a time span of

three to five months and re treatment is required if you wish to maintain desired results. If you
are just starting Botox results can last only up to one month for your muscles are not trained to
be relaxed by the Botulinum toxin. If retreatment is needed every three months you are looking
at spending $2,000 dollars minimum each year in order to keep your wrinkles away.
Even though there may be some unqualified people who are botching people as long as
you go to a certified doctor you will not be putting yourself for risk. Botox is an extremely useful
tool and when used in moderation can give you a nice look that defies aging, helps reduce
headaches and cure hyperhidrosis. With an accidental discovery botox is an amazing invention
that many use. Theres an old saying that goes as follows. Beauty is Pain. Now this may be the
physical pain you may receive from the injection. Or the mental pain handing over at least $500
dollars every few months to receive your treatment. But hopefully it is not the pain you are
inflicting on others though your homicidal tendencies like Bathory did.

Works Cited
"Botched botox by 'pretend doctor'." Sydney Morning Herald [Sydney, Australia] 11 May 2016:
2. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 29 Sept. 2016.

"Botox Injections Get Another Nod For Treating Migraine Headaches." Harvard Health Letter
41.9 (2016): 8. CINAHL Complete. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.

By mid -1596, We Know That Erzsbet Bthory Had Three Living Children: Daughters Anna,
Orsolya (Orsika), and. "Infamous Lady: About the Countess." Infamous Lady: About the
Countess. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2016.

By 6 Weeks, 61% of Patients Showed Improvement in Head Posture, and 39.5% Reported
Reduction of Pain. Both Measures Significantly Improved (P < .05) Compared to Controls.
During the Open Phase, Patients Who Previously Received Placebo Exhibited a Simil.
"Botulinum Toxin." : Overview, History, Mechanism of Action. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2016.

"Fake Doctor Injected Cement Into Woman's Rear, Police Say." Fox News. FOX News Network,
20 Nov. 2011. Web. 29 Sept. 2016.

"Toronto Police Arrest 'Fake' Nurse Allegedly Offering Botox Injections." Canadian Press, The
(n.d.): Points of View Reference Center. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.

"What Is Botulinum Toxin Type A?" American Society of Plastic Surgeons. N.p., n.d. Web. 29
Sept. 2016.