Colin Varley and Fellow HistArchers:
Below is the text of my letter published in the Annapolis, Maryland,
newspaper, The Capital, in response to Dr. Peter H. Gott's column. I
chose to attack Gott's irresponsible remarks on his own
turf--medicine--to discredit him.

Vergil was not only justified in his little outburst, but restrained.
The learned Dr. Gott has taken on a great responsibility in offering
medical advice through a newspaper column, and I have no doubt he his
well-compensated for his trouble. He must exercise better judgment. If
the worst consequence of his ill-conceived and uniformed column is to be
called a moron on a relatively obscure list serve, Dr. Gott should
consider himself fortunate.

Given his apparent lack of contrition, Dr. Gott can go to H-E-double
toothpicks.

Jim Gibb

Letters to the Editor
The Capital
P.O. Box 911
Annapolis, MD  21404
Dear Editor:
Accepting medical advice from newspaper columnists, regardless of their
credentials, can be hazardous to your health.
Responding to a letter from a bottle hunter concerned about possible
infectious agents in a 50-year old privy he intended to dig, syndicated
columnist Dr. Peter H. Gott assured his reader that bacteria are not a
problem, unless there is an associated holding tank (The Capital,
February 10, 2000). In that case, "exercise caution, wash your hands
after digging, and so forth." "Although [excavating privy holes] may not
be hazardous to your health," he added "you're probably better off going
for the oldest sites you can find."
Quite apart from encouraging destruction of archaeological sites, Dr.
Gott overlooked serious health hazards associated with excavating even
very old trash deposits. Experienced archaeologists recognize the
dangers of excavation collapse, encountering razor-sharp glass and rusty
metal, discarded pesticides, unexploded ammunition, and pockets of
volatile methane gas. Recent rodent nests also pose health hazards from
the pathogens in rat urine and excrement. And any organic matter that
has been buried for a long time will serve as a growth medium for
fungus, bacteria, and other harmful microorganisms once exposed to the
air. Responsible archaeologists take appropriate precautions, while
rigorously collecting information important to the history of our
community and of our nation.
Dr. Gott's uninformed comments trivialized the health risks associated
with excavating archaeological deposits. Don't be swayed by the M.D. or
Ph.D. after the names of columnists and those writing letters to the
editor. If you think your actions may entail health or safety risks, get
a second opinion.
Cordially,
James G. Gibb, Ph.D.
Consulting Archaeologist