Thanks for clearing it up, I agree with much of what you said. About that "sliver" thing, I had to laugh..

A couple years ago back in my rugby days and had an injury to my thumb, I figured it might have been broken. So I went straight to the emergency room and filled out the form, so on and so on. She said, "someone will see you whenever its available". So I waited. I waited for close to two and a half hours before I walked out, went home, and put some ice on it (I'm still not sure if it was broken, maybe fractured). Now, there were some people who went ahead of me with legitimate problems (one guy cutting his hand open on a circular saw), but on the floor in the waiting room were about five toddlers playing with toys, looking quite happy, while there anxious mothers sat bitting their nails wondering when the doctor would be able to see their terminally ill little babies. They seemed fine to me, and I think I remember hearing from one mother that her child had a cold and she is "Just checking to make sure it isn't too serious". Well fine, but DON'T GO TO THE GODDAMN EMERGENCY ROOM!". Because here's poor James over here nursing a very very painful thumb injury! Anyways, the point is that people need to stop abusing the *emergency* room for minor stuff. Get an appointment at a local clinic if you're that worried.