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The tallest man ever known was Robert Wadlow, an American, who reached the height of 8 feet 11 inches. He died at age 26 years from an infection caused by the immense weight of his body (491 pounds) and the stress on his leg bones and muscles.
In 1864, the first barbiturate (barbituric acid) was synthesized.
For high blood pressure (hypertension), a new class of drug, called a vasopeptidase blocker (inhibitor), has been developed. It decreases blood pressure by simultaneously dilating the peripheral arteries and increasing the body's loss of salt.
Most fungi that pathogenically affect humans live in soil. If a person is not healthy, has an open wound, or is immunocompromised, a fungal infection can be very aggressive.
Alzheimer's disease affects only about 10% of people older than 65 years of age. Most forms of decreased mental function and dementia are caused by disuse (letting the mind get lazy).
![A pygmy hippopotamus rests in some water to help prevent its skin from cracking at Ueno Zoo in Japan](https://biology-forums.com/gallery/47/medium_12359_25_04_12_3_15_23.jpeg)
![Medicinal leeches on a patient’s neck. Today leeches are sometimes used in microsurgery to prevent b](https://biology-forums.com/gallery/47/medium_374628_15_08_15_11_50_50_222302203.jpeg)