J O'C wrote:

>>I was somewhat bemused to an unusual rendition of Michaelangelo's statue of
>>David (Florence, Italy) on the worldlab99 website
>>http://www.worldlab99.it/frames.htm The iconic representation of David is
>>gracefully restricted to the neck up.

21 participants responded to this case.

4 would measure GH serially on the same specimen, to see if it correlated
with craniometry.

7 queried fluctuant macroangelopathy

8 would give statins, presumably to keep things constant, although they were
unable to agree on the quantitive risk, or the fraction of the population who
should be treated.

1 would perform head space analysis.

Several laboratories reported that they had recently given up stone analysis
and now sent all specimens to another laboratory. AssayFinder has 5
laboratories offering this.

The IT Group reviewed classification systems. It appeared that there was a
widely used American system (see footnote), but the European body responsible
(as opposed to the responsible European body) had attempted to produce a
better system. The report was not available, but BA and the Belgian Hoteliers
Association wished to express their appreciation.

1 radiologist who joined the mail group by mistake put in a business case for
a new cranial CT scanner. Although the current one was only two years old
he'd been to a conference where a manufacturer had told him it was now
out-dated.

I concluded that this must be relapsing osteopetrosis (check the synonyms). I
recommended that no further biochemical investigations were appropriate and
would 'phone the GP to suggest that this should be handled by clinical
judgment (but that's what I always say.)

Jonathan Kay

Footnote on classification

       1) MARBLE (Subheading 6802.91) v. LIMESTONE (Subheading
       6802.92):
       Geologists regard limestone and marble as distinct geological
       entities. Admittedly, the two stones have a similar chemical
       composition, since the principal component in both limestone and
       marble is calcium carbonate. However, marble and limestone are
       physically very different. Marble is limestone which has been
       recrystallized. The process of recrystallization makes limestone and
       marble two distinct stones.

       Numerous rulings issued by Customs Headquarters have held that
       geological definitions of stone must be followed under the
       Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). Although polished limestone
       (or limestone capable of taking a polish) is often called "marble" in
       the trade, Headquarters has ruled that it is classifiable as other
       calcareous stone in subheading 6802.92.00, HTS, not as marble in
       subheading 6802.91. Since geological definitions govern the
       classification of stone under the HTS and these two stones are
       regarded as distinct geological entities, limestone may not be
       classified as marble.

       Since polished limestone (or limestone capable of taking a polish) is
       often referred to in the trade as "marble," limestone is often
       invoiced as marble and importers frequently enter limestone
       incorrectly as marble in subheading 6802.91, HTS. However,
       Customs does not equate limestone capable of taking a polish with
       marble. The crucial factor in the classification of limestone is its
       geological nature.

       Limestone (classifiable in subheading 6802.92) and marble
       (classifiable in subheading 6802.91) are two geologically distinct
       stones because of the physical difference between them. Since
       marble (a metamorphic rock) is formed when limestone
       recrystallizes in the earth over a long period of time, marble is a
       much more crystalline stone than limestone. On the other hand,
       limestone is a sedimentary rock which contains a higher percentage
       of fossil material. Since limestone is frequently entered incorrectly
       as marble, we send samples of products entered as marble to the U.S.
       Customs laboratory for analysis. In some cases, the laboratory will
       find that it does not have the degree of crystallinity required of
       genuine marble. When laboratory analysis reveals that a specific
       stone has been entered incorrectly as marble, the Import Specialist
       will issue a rate advance notice and advise the importer regarding
       the correct classification for this item.


       (2) MARBLE (Subheading 6802.91) v. SERPENTINE (Subheadings
       6802.99 and 7116.20)
       Serpentine is sometimes referred to as "marble" in the trade.
       However, serpentine and marble are geologically distinct. As
       explained above, limestone and marble are regarded as different
       geological entities because of the great physical difference between
       these two stones. Serpentine is geologically distinct from marble
       because its chemical composition is different. While the principal
       component of marble is calcium carbonate, the principal component
       of serpentine is magnesium silicate. Marble and serpentine are two
       totally different stones. Therefore, serpentine may not be classified
       as marble in subheading 6802.91 even though it is often called
       "marble" in the trade.

       Building stone (slabs and tiles) of serpentine is classifiable in
       subheading 6802.99.00, HTS, as other monumental or building
       stone. (Subheading 6802.92 is not applicable because serpentine is
       not a calcareous stone.)


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