Our Treasury secretary underwent surgery yesterday to remove kidney stones. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-11/holbrooke-in-critical-condition-after-surgery-to-repair-tear-in-his-aorta.html. A friends brother passed some stones on the eve of his wedding, so apparently they can be caused by stress. High blood pressure and antacids can also cause kidney stones. I guess the drop in treasury bond values has him stressed.