function verify_element(elem, msg, numeric) {
	if (elem.type != null) {
		lType = elem.type;
		lFocus = elem;
	} else {
		lType = elem[0].type;
		lFocus = elem[0];
	}
	valid = true;

	switch (lType) {
		// Text fields
		case "text":
		case "textarea":
			if (elem.value == "") {valid=false;}
			if (numeric && isNaN(parseInt(elem.value))) (valid=false);  // test to see if value is a number
			break;

		// Drop-down validation, Assume first option is "Please select from List"
		case "select-one":
		case "select-multiple":
			if (elem.selectedIndex == 0) {valid=false;}
			break;

		// Checkbox validation
		case "checkbox":
			valid = false;
			if (elem.length == null) {
				if (elem.checked) {
					valid = true;
				}
			}
			else {
				for (counter = 0; counter < elem.length; counter++) {
					if (elem[counter].checked) {
						valid = true;
					}
				}
			}
			break;
	
		// Radio validation
		case "radio":
			valid = false;
			if (elem.length == null) {
				if (elem.checked) {
					valid = true;
				}
			}
			else {
				for (counter = 0; counter < elem.length; counter++) {
					if (elem[counter].checked) {
						valid = true;
					}
				}
			}
			break;
	}

	if (!valid) {
		alert(msg);
		lFocus.focus();
		lRet = false;
	} else {
		lRet = true;
	}

	return lRet;
}