28 APR 2012 by ideonexus
Death by Phosphorous Poisoning
The autopsy of a person who had died from phosphorus poisoning would reveal inflammation a haemorrhage in the stomach and bowel, the liver would show fatty changes and both it, and the kidneys would be enlarged, greasy and of a yellow colour. But the most convincing proof of death due to phosphorus exposure would be to turn off all the lights in the mortuary and see its tell-tale glow... 1 
notes
notesHas many symptoms, but the most disturbing is that the victim glows in the dark.
30 JAN 2012 by ideonexus
Homeostasis
The constant conditions which are maintained in the body might be termed equilibria. That word, however, has come to have fairly exact meaning as applied to relatively simple physico-chemical states, in closed systems, where known forces are balanced. The coordinated physiological processes which maintain most of the steady states in the organism are so complex and so peculiar to living beings- involving, as they may, the brain and nerves, the heart, lungs, kidneys and spleen, all working coo... 1 notes
notesOrigin of the word, meaning the tendency of animal life to maintain an internal equilibrium.
16 JAN 2012 by ideonexus
The Eagerness of Medical Sciences are Detrimental
And it has been sarcastically said, that there is a wide difference between a good physician and a bad one, but a small difference between a good physician and no physician at all; by which it is meant to insinuate, that the mischievous officiousness of art does commonly more than counterbalance any benefit derivable from it. 1 notes
notesThe meddlesome nature of physicians means there is a small difference between having one and not having one help you.
14 JAN 2012 by ideonexus
A Early Definition of Human Social Progress
Disease is largely a removable evil. It continues to afflict humanity, not only because of incomplete knowledge of its causes and lack of individual and public hygiene, but also because it is extensively fostered by harsh economic and industrial conditions and by wretched housing in congested communities. ... The reduction of the death rate is the principal statistical expression and index of human social progress. It means the saving and lengthening of lives of thousands of citizens, the ext...
1 That emphasizes a reduction in the death rate and argues that this is something we can do through education and improving the quality of life.
15 DEC 2011 by ideonexus
Mary Baine on Comforting Patients
One cannot help a man to come to accept his impending death if he remains in severe pain, one cannot give spiritual counsel to a woman who is vomiting, or help a wife and children say their goodbyes to a father who is so drugged that he cannot respond. 1 notes
notesPatients cannot have peace of mind while they are in distress. (From: 'Principles of Symptom Control')
12 SEP 2011 by ideonexus
The Art of Preserving Health
The blood, the fountain whence the spirits flow,
The generous stream that waters every part,
And motion, vigour, and warm life conveys
To every Particle that moves or lives;
This vital fluid, thro' unnumber'd tubes
Pour'd by the heart, and to the heart again
Refunded; scourg'd forever round and round;
Enrag'd with heat and toil, at last forgets
Its balmy nature; virulent and thin
It grows; and now, but that a thousand gates
Are open to its flight, it would destroy
The parts it cherish' d and ...A poem by John Armstrong.
01 SEP 2011 by ideonexus
An Informed, Intelligent Patient is the Best Laboratory A...
An intelligent patient, private or otherwise, to whom you have taken the trouble to explain the nature of the investigation, makes the best laboratory animal. 1 notes
notesA great quote from Fuller Albright.
30 AUG 2011 by ideonexus
While the Patient is Alive, the Urine is Ours
When the patient dies the kidneys may go to the pathologist, but while he lives the urine is ours. It can provide us day by day, month by month, and year by year, with a serial story of the major events going on within the kidney. 1 notes
notesAddis remarks on learning about the state of the patient's kidneys from urine tests.
