Dementia in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Essay Example For Students

Dementia in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Essay On the surface, it would seem that the short story is pretty straightforward. Walter Mitty, a man constantly badgered and hen pecked upon that he purposely escapes into a fantasy world in his mind just to escape his wife. But let’s look deeper past the surface and there we will find a darker reason for these â€Å"daydreams† to happen in his everyday life. Walter’s daydreams are a symptom of his mental illness, dementia, not his desire to leave his dull, boring life behind. Walter’s progression of violence in his dreams portray how his cognitive stability is devolving. In the beginning his daydream starts off much more benign. He’s a pilot, a commander to be precise. But while he is engaging with his fight to get his hydroplane off the Naval Ship, he is also driving in traffic. Meanwhile his wife is asking him to slow down because he is driving too fast. Leading directly into â€Å"Hmm? said Walter Mitty. He looked at his wife, in the seat beside him, with shocked astonishment. She seemed grossly unfamiliar, like a strange woman who had yelled at him in a crowd. † (Thurber). This deals directly with how his mental state is not what it should be and is symptomatic of dementia. Webster’s Dictionary defines it as a â€Å"Deterioration of intellectual faculties, such as memory, concentration, and judgment, resulting from an organic disease or a disorder of the brain. † His actions and reactions to these situations show how tenuous his grasp on reality really is. Directly after Mrs. Mitty says, â€Å"It’s one of your days. I wish you’d let Dr. Renshaw look you over† (Thurber). This gives even more credence that Walter is sick and has a physician he sees to monitor his health. Walter also can’t seem to stay engaged in real life activities like he should if he was in good health. The perfect example is that after dropping off his wife he once again loses touch with reality while driving, now alone. It continues into a fantasy where a man’s life is in danger and he must save him. In this portion Walter is showing a three on the GDS (Global Deterioration Scale) which is used to assess primary degenerative dementia, developed by Dr. Barry Riesberg. A three is considered mild cognitive decline (Reisberg) and the person can still maintain a semblance of a normal lifestyle, with some decreased memory and/or concentration deficit. The GDS has levels, one being the mildest going to seven being severe dementia. Another example is while he’s walking on the street he thinks he is on the witness stand with an injured arm on trial for murder. Every time he loses himself in a separate world someone else is the one to bring him back out of them. We have also seen that each incident has become increasingly violent as well, which can tie into how his sickness is becoming more debilitating. The fact remains that Walter keeps losing himself in these altered realities. But what reveals even more how he is sick is that he takes on the personalities as himself. In the grocery store, â€Å"The greatest pistol shot in the world thought for a moment. It says ‘Puppies Bark for It’ on the box,† (Thurber). The juxtaposition of the statement alone brings a surrealist feel standing for itself. The principal point being he is not the greatest pistol shot in the world, he had just been in that state of mind and brought it back to the real world. This shows how his health is declining because before he was always someone else and never bringing back the persona with him. Also â€Å"To hell with the handkerchief, said Walter Mitty scornfully. He took one last drag on his cigarette and snapped it away. .u239d6789d133e0995475446459d6ba39 , .u239d6789d133e0995475446459d6ba39 .postImageUrl , .u239d6789d133e0995475446459d6ba39 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u239d6789d133e0995475446459d6ba39 , .u239d6789d133e0995475446459d6ba39:hover , .u239d6789d133e0995475446459d6ba39:visited , .u239d6789d133e0995475446459d6ba39:active { border:0!important; } .u239d6789d133e0995475446459d6ba39 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u239d6789d133e0995475446459d6ba39 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u239d6789d133e0995475446459d6ba39:active , .u239d6789d133e0995475446459d6ba39:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u239d6789d133e0995475446459d6ba39 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u239d6789d133e0995475446459d6ba39 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u239d6789d133e0995475446459d6ba39 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u239d6789d133e0995475446459d6ba39 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u239d6789d133e0995475446459d6ba39:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u239d6789d133e0995475446459d6ba39 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u239d6789d133e0995475446459d6ba39 .u239d6789d133e0995475446459d6ba39-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u239d6789d133e0995475446459d6ba39:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Two Hurricanes that Changed My Life EssayThen, with that faint, fleeting smile playing about his lips, he faced the firing squad; erect and motionless, proud and disdainful, Walter Mitty the Undefeated, inscrutable to the last† (Thurber). He took his alternate reality and placed himself as the character. Walter was then mimicking what went on there and carrying out those actions in real life. With these particular actions Walter then falls on level six severe cognitive decline (Riesberg). That includes the symptoms he has already been portraying and â€Å" include: (a) delusional behavior, e. g. , patients may accuse their spouse of being an imposter, may talk to imaginary figures b) obsessive symptoms (c) anxiety symptoms, agitation, and even previously nonexistent violent behavior (d) cognitive abulla, i. e. loss of willpower because an individual cannot carry a thought long enough to determine a purposeful course of action† (Riesberg). The incidents have also gone from his injured arm and eventually to death, his own. A particularly strong image of death as well, he stands erect against something (the firing squad) that he has no control over. The similarity between his mental deterioration due to his illness and his final incident can also show that in the end he knows he is not well but he can’t change it. Through the short story Walter was losing his ability to remember names and words that were common to him, including his wife’s name. Occurring during his first incident he was shouting â€Å"Full strength in No. 3 turret! † (Thurber). When in reality that means a gun on a platform whereas he was meaning full power to the engines. Keep in mind this was after WWI and the beginning of WWII, all likelihood points to him knowing the definition of the word. Walter Mitty took the gun and examined it expertly. This is my Webley-Vickers 50. 80 (Thurber). This is not a real make and model of a gun. Which follows along with the previous point during that time he would know some type of fire arm, his mind just could not grasp it. The way in which Walter’s illness took place was deceptive and could be construed differently if one did not look at the underlying problems he faced daily. He started off in this short story sick and unfortunately got worse until the end. How the story ended gave both the story and character great closure. Even though the sickness was taking things away from him in the end he was able to recognize what was happening and come to terms.

Rome Essays - Kings Of Rome, Roman Mythology, Julio-Claudian Dynasty

Rome Rome is an ancient city located on the western coast of Italy by the Meditterranian Sea.(3:289) The city of Rome was founded, according to the legend, by Romulus in 753 BC. Remus and Romulus were two mythological sons of Mars, the god of war. "T hrough military expansion and colonizations, and by granting citizenship to conquered tribes, the city joined all of Italy south of the Po in the 100-year period before 268 BC." First, the Latin and other tribes were joined, then the Etruscans (a civili zed people north of Rome) and the Greek colonies in the south. "With a large army and several hundred thousand in reserve, Rome defeated Carthage in the 3 Punic Wars, 264-241, 218-201, 149-146, (despite the invasion of Italy by Hannibal, 218), therefore gaining territory in Spain and North America."(1:721) New provinces were added in the East as Rome exploited local disputes to conquer Greece and Asia Minor in the 2d century BC and Egypt in the first (after the defeat and suicide of Antony and Cleop atra, 30 BC). All the Mediterranean civilized world up to the disputed Parthian border was now Roman, and remained so for 500 years. " Less civilized regions were added to the Empire: Gaul (conquered by Julius Ceaser, 56-49 BC), Britain (43 AD) and Dacia , NE of the Danube (117 AD)."(1:721) " The original republican government, with democratic features added in the fourth and fifth centuries BC, deteriorated under the pressures of empire and class conflict (Gracchus brothers, social reformers, murdere d 133,121; slave revolts 135,73). After a series of civil wars (Marius vs. Sulla 88-82, Caeser vs. Pompey 49-45, triumvirate vs. Caesar's assassins 44-43, Antony vs. Octavian 32-30), the empire came under the rule or a defined monarch (first emperor, Agu stus, 27 BC-14 AD). Provincials (nearly all granted citizenship by Caracalla,212 AD) came to dominate the army and cival service. Traditional Roman law, systmatized and interpreted by independant jurists, and local self-rule in provincial cities were su pplanted by a vast tax-collecting bureaucracyin the 3d and 4th centuries. The legal rights of women, children, and slaves were strenghtened."(1:721) Roman innovations in civil engineering included water mills, windmills, and rotary mills and the use of cement that hardened under water. Monumental architechture (baths, theaters, apartment houses) relied on the arch and dome. "The network of roads (some still standing) stretched 53,000 miles, passing through moutain tunnels as long as 3.5 miles. Co nceived in 312 BC, the 360 mile Appian Way was a superhighway that the Romans traveled from Rome to Caupa, in Campania...The road took about 10 to 15 days to travel...It was considered the Queen of roads by the Romans, but it is a "l'il ole road" by moder n standards." Aqueducts brought water to cities, underground sewers removed waste. Some of the sewers were so well built, they are still in use today.(2:715) Roman art and literature were derivative of Greek models. Innovations were made in scul pture (naturalistic busts and equestrian statues), decorative wall painting (as at Pompeii), satire (Juvenal, 60-127), history (Tacitus, 56-120), prose romance (Petronius, d. 66 AD). Violense and torture dominated mass public amusements, which were suppo rted by the state. "Rome was first settled around 800 BC. Most of the streets in the time of the Roman Empire were narrow and crooked. Some were very dirty. Some parts of the city were wide and beautiful with white marble buildings, great columne d pourches, and triumphal arches. Anciant Rome had the population of modern Rome. The centers of Roman life were open places where public meetings were held. Such a meeting place was called a forum. One of these was so much more important than the oth ers that it was called the Roman forum. The long, narrow Roman Forum was also the market place of the city. The temple of Jupiter Capitolinus was the oldest and most sacred temple of Rome. "Historians beleive that Rome once had as many as three hund red temples. The best known of these was the Pantheon, which was the temple to all the gods. The Pantheon became the Christian Church of Santa Maria Rotonda in 608 AD.This circular domed church is today is the most perfectly preserved of all the anciant roman building."(1:721)

Air War College Sample Essay

Air War College Sample EssayAn air war college sample essay is a simple format for answering common questions about the World War Two period. The introduction for this sample document is usually fairly simple and concise. The document should then contain five points or paragraphs about the main facts of World War Two.The main facts of World War Two can generally be grouped into two broad categories. The first of these two broad categories is the military action taken to defend Western Europe against the German invasion. This military action was undertaken by the British and French armed forces, as well as the American Air Force and Navy. It was not, however, always followed by these nations and a few months later a second phase of the attack was launched, known as the 'Knighthood' from which many of the most famous soldiers of this period came.One of the greatest benefits of using an air war college sample essay is that the students will have a very clear idea of where the events of this period fit into the overall story. A student can then pick up on the certain points in the story, which support the main thesis that the Allied powers must engage in air combat if they are to achieve victory.If a student is to find the strategic level, the essays will need to make reference to the major decisions that were made during the last stage of the war. They will need to make reference to the political and diplomatic decisions made by the leaders of the various allied nations. These decisions include the basis for the 'Knighthood'Victory' strategy, the pressure applied by the British Admiralty, the positioning of US forces and so on. In addition, the final decision to engage in air combat must be covered.An air war college sample essay may start by discussing the reasons why it was necessary for the Allies to go to war at all. It will then discuss the battles fought by the Allies against the German military. The answers to the questions that were mentioned above will be discussed briefly. The important points to remember are that:As the battle lines blurred and the overall strategic situation changed the Allies changed their tactics in order to adapt to changing situations. The general air war strategy developed from this stage will be discussed in greater detail.There are numerous online resources for using an air war college sample essay for explaining what the whole event is about and how the different parts of the story fit together. Students need to be careful about which essay they use and some sources are better than others.

Jimmi Hendrix essays

Jimmi Hendrix essays Jimi Hendrix, the greatest guitarist in rock history, revolutionized the sound of rock. In 1967, the Jimi Hendrix Experience rocked the nation with their first album, Are You Experienced?. Hendrix's life was cut short by the tragedy of drugs in 1970, when he was only twenty seven years old. In these three years the sound of rock changed greatly, and Hendrixs guitar playing was a major influence. Jimi was born in Seattle, Washington on November 27, 1942. As a young boy, whenever the chance came, Jimi would try to play along with his R However, music was not his life long dream. At first, the army was. In the late 1950s, Hendrix enlisted in the 101st Airborne Division. After sustaining a back injury during a jump, he received a medical discharge. After his army career came to an abrupt end, he decided to go into the music field. By this time he had become an accomplished guitarist, and was soon to become known as the greatest guitarist ever (Stambler, pg. 290). However, he did not start out at the top. Jimi started out playing as part of the back-up for small time R Burke, Jackie Wilson, Littler Richard, Wilson Pickett, and King Curtis (Clifford, pg. 181). Using the name Jimmy James, he toured with a bunch of R s Famous Flames (Stambler, pg. 290). At the Olson, pg 2 Cafe Wha! In New York, in 1966, Hendrix decided to try singing. Jimi lucked out when a man by the name of Charles Chas Chandler from Eric Burdon's Animals heard him at the club and thought he was sensational. When Chas heard him again later that year, he talked Jimi into moving to England where he would really get the chance ...

Managing Diversity in the Workplace Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Managing Diversity in the Workplace - Essay Example Diversity is a powerful tool in the growth and success of any organization today. With the increase in globalization and technology, most organizations have become multicultural. Additionally, the economy has globalized. A case study of â€Å"All-Inclusive† Real Estate Company from where I work focuses on diversity in the workplace. An analysis on the culture of the company indicates that diversity in the workplace is inevitable. Therefore, the organization’s work force must work at benefiting from it. When an organization manages diversity well, it becomes best suited to grow. On the other hand, if diversity is not well managed, it could lead to wastage of time and resources. The company has a multicultural workforce. The heterogeneous nature of the workplace highlights complex cultural relations, unified by a common goal. Employees of the company learn the organizations culture after they are employed and after they go through orientation and training. By working unde r guidelines set up by managers and supervisors, they get to share the vision, mission and goals of the organization. Once in the organization, employees identify with shared symbols, norms and values that the organization and its managers uphold. New employees learn to adjust to the organization, whilst the organization adjusts to them. The company highly promotes diversity, which increases more social awareness and integration. Multicultural organizations which strongly support diversity experience great social integrity (Gilbert and Ones, 685-704). The company has a diverse work force, both in its top management and its support staff. A look at some of its top officials gives a better picture of how individual differences can blend perfectly to produce a highly productive workforce. The company’s managing director, Susan is Jewish American. She exhibits power and good leadership. She believes that diversity should not hinder improvements and developments in the workplace. To implement successful changes in the organization, focus should be placed on the changes and not barriers such as culture (Beer et al 291). Her philosophy is that however diverse an organization is, the goals of the organization should cement individual differences to realize a friendly working environment. She highly promotes a good working atmosphere for employees within the organization. In addition, she encourages a cordial relationship with the organization’s clients. Susan emphasizes professionalism, aimed at ensuring integrity and competence. Her leadership is based on open communication to encourage participation from employees. She liaises with employees to assess behaviors and practices. She is supportive and open minded, attributes that she encourages everyone to acquire. She works to promote confidence in the company. Susan believes in maximizing people’s potential by encouraging them to specialize in what they do best. She often refers to the idea that p roper management of diversity is advantageous in an era that emphasizes flexibility and creativity to beat competition (Cox, 50). She promotes diverse ideas by holding regular meetings with staff members to discuss any issues arising and better ways of doing things. She understands her employees and has a unique relationship with all of them. If

Reading assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Reading - Assignment Example However it is also a clear fact that there are factors which anteceded the triggering factor described herein. The antecedent factor to the police shooting had its underpinnings in the ideological persuasions which sovereign citizens believe in. Sovereign citizens believe that being under the control of the government is wrong and for this reason, they believe that they are not under the control of the government. Members of sovereign citizens eschew being under government control because they believe that local, federal and state governments are operating illegally, since they (members of the group) exist outside these governments’ jurisdiction. Because of this, members of sovereign citizens believe that they are free from government control and therefore have their own code of law which they follow (Pierce, 1). As is provided for by the FBI, the beliefs above as held by sovereign citizens in turn have their underpinnings in the Redemption Theory. This theory holds that the U S government in 1993 when it abandoned its gold standard basis for currency and instead began to use its citizens as collateral in international trade agreements (FBI, 1). As a side note and from a common sense point of view, it is clear that any state which uses its citizens as collateral in any engagement is unjust and illegitimate, though this accusation which sovereign citizens level against the US government is not true. However, because of this false charge against the government, sovereign citizens see the supposed dereliction on gold standard as the basis for currency in 1993 as a gateway for illegal and criminal activities since the US federal, state and local governments have hitherto not been acting in the interests of Americans. The culmination of the immediate foregoing has thus been a catalogue of criminal and illegal activities which stem from one superordinate crime: personal abnegation from the responsibilities and duties of being an American citizen. Because of thi s, sovereign citizens do not pay taxes, do not drive on a state driver’s license and do not obey the law. Other criminal activities which sovereign citizens engage in because of their belief in the Redemption Theory are defrauding of banks, the US government, fraud (mail, mortgage, bank and wire), the selling and purchase of contraband such as firearms and money laundering. It is important to note that the perpetuation of sovereign citizens’ Redemption Theory and belonging to sovereign citizens heavily rely on the aforementioned criminal activities. In fact, the exaction of these crimes is the Redemption Scheme. Without crime as the Redemption Scheme, Redemption Theory crumbles. Against this backdrop, sovereign citizens illegally possess firearms and other weapons to eliminate the law enforcers and to thwart the arrest of their members. The same group uses crime to disintegrate and emasculate the government which they believe is illegitimate. Conclusion All the above u nderscores the fact that sovereign citizens have always come to view all law enforcement agencies and their officers as propagators and facilitators of an illegality, since they work for and defend an illegal government. With this twisted logic, sovereign citizens on one hand and law enforcement officers and law abiding on the other hand have lived in parallel systems: the police seek to ensure adherence to traffic rules while sovereign citizens

Hydrogen Peroxide Essay Example for Free

Hydrogen Peroxide Essay The same reaction is catalysed by the  enzyme  catalase, found in the  liver, whose main function in the body is the removal of toxic byproducts ofmetabolism  and the reduction of  oxidative stress. The decomposition occurs more rapidly in  alkali, so  acid  is often added as a stabilizer. The liberation of oxygen and energy in the decomposition has dangerous side-effects. Spilling high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide on a flammable substance can cause an immediate fire, which is further fueled by the oxygen released by the decomposing hydrogen peroxide. High test peroxide, or HTP (also called high-strength peroxide) must be stored in a suitable, vented container to prevent the buildup of oxygen gas, which would otherwise lead to the eventual rupture of the container. In the presence of certain catalysts, such as  Fe2+  or  Ti3+, the decomposition may take a different path, with  free radicals  such as HO · (hydroxyl) and HOO · (hydroperoxyl) being formed. A combination of  H2O2  and  Fe2+  is known as  Fentons reagent. A common concentration for hydrogen peroxide is  20-volume, which means that, when 1 volume of hydrogen eroxide is decomposed, it produces 20 volumes of oxygen. A  20-volumeconcentration of hydrogen peroxide is equivalent to 1. 667  mol/dm3  (Molar solution) or about 6%. Redox reactions In acidic solutions,  H2O2  is one of the most powerful oxidizers known—stronger than  chlorine,  chlorine dioxide, and  potassium permanganate. Also, through catalysis,  H2O2  can be converted intohydroxyl radicals  (†¢OH), which are highly reactive. Oxidant/Reduced product| Oxidation  potential, V| Fluorine/Hydrogen fluoride| 3. 0| Ozone/Oxygen| 2. 1| Hydrogen peroxide/Water| 1. 8| Potassium permanganate/Manganese dioxide. Chlorine dioxide/HClO| 1. 5| Chlorine/Chloride| 1. 4| In aqueous solutions, hydrogen peroxide can oxidize or reduce a variety of inorganic ions. When it acts as a reducing agent,  oxygen  gas is also produced. In  acidic  solutions  Fe2+  is oxidized to  Fe3+  (hydrogen peroxide acting as an oxidizing agent), 2  Fe2+(aq) +  H2O2  + 2  H+(aq) ; 2  Fe3+(aq) + 2H2O(l) and  sulfite  (SO2? 3) is oxidized to  sulfate  (SO2? 4). However,  potassium permanganate  is reduced to  Mn2+  by acidic  H2O2. Under  alkaline  conditions, however, some of these reactions reverse; for example,  Mn2+  is oxidized to  Mn4+  (as  MnO2). Other examples of hydrogen peroxides action as a reducing agent are reaction with  sodium hypochlorite  or  potassium permanganate, which is a convenient method for preparing  oxygen  in the laboratory. NaOCl +  H2O2  Ã‚  O2  + NaCl +  H2O 2  KMnO4  + 3  H2O2   2  MnO2  + 2 KOH + 2  H2O  + 3  O2 Hydrogen peroxide is frequently used as an  oxidizing agent  in organic chemistry. One application is for the oxidation of  thioethers  to  sulfoxides. For example,  methyl phenyl sulfidecan be readily oxidized in high yield to  methyl phenyl sulfoxide: Ph? S? CH3  +  H2O2   Ph? S(O)? CH3  +  H2O Alkaline hydrogen peroxide is used for  epoxidation  of electron-deficient alkenes such as  acrylic acids, and also for oxidation of  alkylboranes  to  alcohols, the second step of  hydroboration-oxidation. Formation of peroxide compounds Hydrogen peroxide is a weak acid, and it can form  hydroperoxide  or  peroxide  salts  or derivatives of many metals. For example, on addition to an aqueous solution of  chromic acid  (CrO3) or acidic solutions of dichromate salts, it will form an unstable blue peroxide CrO(O2)2. In aqueous solution it rapidly decomposes to form oxygen gas and chromium salts. It can also produce peroxoanions by reaction with  anions; for example, reaction with  borax  leads to  sodium perborate, a bleach used in laundry detergents: Na2B4O7  + 4  H2O2  + 2 NaOH 2  Na2B2O4(OH)4  +  H2O H2O2  converts  carboxylic acids  (RCOOH) into peroxy acids (RCOOOH), which are themselves used as oxidizing agents. Hydrogen peroxide reacts with  acetone  to form  acetone peroxide, and it interacts with  ozone  to form  hydrogen trioxide, also known as  trioxidane. Reaction with  urea  produces  carbamide peroxide, used for whitening teeth. An acid-base adduct with  triphenylphosphine oxide  is a useful carrier for  H2O2  in some reactions. Alkalinity Hydrogen peroxide can still form adducts with very strong acids. The  superacid  HF/SbF5  forms unstable compounds containing the  [H3O2]+  ion. Domestic uses * Diluted  H2O2  (between 3% and 8%) is used to bleach human  hair  when mixed with  ammonium hydroxide, hence the phrase peroxide blonde. * It is absorbed by  skin  upon contact and creates a local skin  capillary  embolism  that appears as a temporary whitening of the skin. * It is used to whiten  bones  that are to be put on display. 3%  H2O2  is effective at treating fresh (red) blood-stains in clothing and on other items. It must be applied to clothing before blood stains can be accidentally set with heated water. Cold water and soap are then used to remove the peroxide treated  blood. Some horticulturalists and users of  hydroponics  advocate the use of weak hydrogen peroxide solution in watering solutions. Its spontaneous decomposition releases oxygen that enhances a plants root development and helps to treat  root rot  (cellular root death due to lack of oxygen) and a variety of other pests. Laboratory tests conducted by fish culturists in recent years have demonstrated that common household hydrogen peroxide can be used safely to provide oxygen for small fish. Hydrogen peroxide releases oxygen by decomposition when it is exposed to  catalysts  such as  manganese dioxide. * Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizer effective in controlling sulfide and organic-related odors in wastewater collection and treatment systems. It is typically applied to a wastewater system where there is a retention time of 30 minutes to 5 hours before hydrogen sulfide is released.