Monday, September 6--If you can't stand the heat...

As the hottest summer on record continues, our English-language newspaper, The Daily Yomiuri, reports that it’s not just humans who are suffering.  Veterinarians have treated twice the usual number of canine heatstroke victims.  Farm animals are keeling over at an alarming rate—so far nearly 1,200 cows have succumbed to heat-related illnesses, as have 657 pigs, 289,000 broiler chickens, and 136,000 egg-laying hens.  The agricultural ministry has instructed local officials to ensure that farmers are taking appropriate action, such as putting heat shields on the walls and roofs of barns and installing fans.  Hmmm.  That sounds like the assembly instructions for a convection oven to me.  Roast beef anyone?