The Organization of a Speech
Introduction
I. Attention Getter / Listener-Relevance Link / Speaker Credibility: Imagine you are cooking a
meal for your family or friends. You are getting everything together and you decide to open a jar
of your famous canned green beans. Now, imagine 18-36 hours later you wake up with blurry
vision and slurring speech and this feeling of being almost totally paralyzed. Unknowingly you
have just became one of the 145 cases of botulism that happen every year in the US according to
the botulism webpage on the center for disease control and prevention website.
IV. Preview of Points: Today we will discuss what botulism is, the symptoms associated with
botulism and some of the treatments for botulism.
Body
I.
First, let’s begin by discussing what Botulism is.
A. According to the Botulism webpage on the foodsafety.gov website botulism is a rare
but serious illness caused by a bacteria that is formed in soil. It produces a toxin that
affects your nerves.
B. Botulism comes in three main forms: Infant, Food borne and Wound botulism
according to the botulism webpage on the mayo clinic website.
C. According to botulism webpage on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
website In the United States, an average of 145 cases are reported each year. Of these
15% are food borne 65% are infant and the other 20% are wound.
D. The source of food borne botulism is often home canned foods that are low in acid
such as green beans corn and beets According to the Mayo clinic website previously
cited.
E. Infant botulism occurs after infants consume spores of the bacteria which can grow
and multiply in their intestinal tracts and make toxins according to the Mayo clinic
website previously cited.
F. All forms of botulism can be fatal and are considered medical emergencies according
to the CDC website previously cited.
II.
Now that we know what Botulism is, let’s explore some of the symptoms associated
with Botulism.
A. The classic symptoms of botulism include double vision, blurred vision, drooping
eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness
according to the botulism health webpage on the New York Times website.
B. These are all symptoms of the muscle paralysis caused by the bacterial toxin. If
untreated, these symptoms may progress to cause paralysis of the respiratory
muscles, arms, legs, and body according to the CDC website previously cited.
C. In food borne botulism symptoms generally begin 18-36 hours after eating a
contaminated food but they can occur as early as six hours or as late as 10 day
afterward according to the botulism webpage on the medicine net website.
III.
Finally, after discussing what Botulism is and the symptoms associated with
botulism, let’s discuss some of the treatments for botulism.
A. The respiratory failure and paralysis that occur with severe botulism may require a
patient to be on a breathing machine otherwise known as a ventilator for weeks or
months, plus intensive medical and nursing care may be required according to the
CDC website previously cited.
B. If you're diagnosed early with food borne or wound botulism, according to the same
source, injected antitoxin reduces the risk of complications. The antitoxin attaches
itself to toxin that's in your bloodstream and keeps it from damaging your nerves.
C. However, the antitoxin cannot, reverse the damage that's been done. Fortunately,
nerves do regenerate. Many people recover fully, but it may take months also
extended rehabilitation therapy may be needed for more severe cases according to the
CDC website.
Conclusion
I. Review of Points: Today we have discussed what botulism is, some of the symptoms of
botulism, and the treatments for botulism.
II. Clincher: Now think back to earlier if you or anyone you know have ever ate any canned
foods and have awoke to some of these symptoms. You know have the knowledge to be better
prepared on how to handle and manage a case of botulism should you or anyone you know be
one of the unlucky145 cases reported each year.
Works Cited
1. Botulism, by mayo clinic staff, July 19, 2012 , Mayoclinic.org Web 10/24/14
2. Botulism, National center for emerging and zoonotic infectious diseases webpage ,
Center for Disease Control and Prevention.com Web 10/24/14
3. Botulism, Food Safety. Gov Web 10/24/14
4. Botulism, Medicinenet.com Web 10/24/14
5. Botulism, by new York times, 8/15/2012, Health guide, New York Times.com Web
10/24/14