‘Seat-Belt Law Begins to Click’

At the risk of inserting an unworthy note into the general euphoria of those accounts of seat-belt-saved lives, I have to observe that the mandatory shackling does have an unfortunate side effect--Seat Belt Shoulder.

So far not an earthshaking item in medical records, it is showing signs of joining the ranks of the minor ailments recently listed in the View Section: Bowler’s Thumb, Tennis Elbow, Surfer’s Knots, Jogger’s Knee and Golfer’s Toe.

The symptoms go from neck rash and chest pains to shoulder ache and upper-arm twinges. But buckle up, everyone. You may be due for an attack of Seat Belt Shoulder, but at least you will live to tell about it.

MILDRED STERL

Long Beach