<!--
function validate_form() {
  validity = true; // assume valid
  
  if (document.form.msgType.options[0].selected)
        { validity = false; alert('Please select an option from the list of message types'); }

  if (document.form.msgType.options[8].selected)
        { validity = false; alert('Sorry, we are unable to respond to messages about Patients or Diseases. Please contact your healthcare provider'); }

  if (!check_empty(document.form.txtName.value))
        { validity = false; alert('Please tell us your name.'); }

  if (!check_email(document.form.txtEmailAddress.value))
        { validity = false; alert('There appears to be an error in your email address !'); }

  if (!check_empty(document.form.txtMessage.value))
        { validity = false; alert('I think you have forgotten to enter your message.'); }

  if (validity);
  return validity;
}

function check_empty(text) {
  return (text.length > 0); // returns false if empty
}

function check_email(address) {  if ((address == "")
    || (address.indexOf ('@') == -1)    || (address.indexOf ('.') == -1) || (address.indexOf (',') == 1) || (address.indexOf (';') == 1) || (address.indexOf ('/') == 1))
      return false;  return true;
}

// -->