Swine Flu for Dummies, is it really a public health emergency of international concern
Lionfish envenoming
April 28, 2009 By 1 Comment
A 41-year-old man presented to the emergency department 20 minutes after being stung on the distal palmar surface of his right index finger by his lionfish (Pterois volitans) while cleaning his aquarium. Almost immediately after the sting, severe pain developed, followed by nausea. The patient bathed his finger in hot water, as recommended by his aquarist guidebook, with no alleviation of symptoms.
The Dark Knight?!
April 27, 2009 By 5 Comments
Consider a case of headache in a young female. This is what her quite unusual and revealing CT head showed: If you can guess the cause of her headaches, her underlying diagnosis, and can work out what “batman’s eyes” are from the scan alone – congratulations! Next you’ll be telling me how you cured the [...]
Today I do not want to be a doctor
April 26, 2009 By 3 Comments
Wild X-rays
April 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Check out this collection of ‘feral’ medical images from AOL news. ‘The leg of a chair thrown outside a Melbourne, Australia, club in January 2007 speared Shafique el-Fahkri’s eye socket down to his neck. He spent a month in intensive care but has mostly recovered.’. Once again, a big thanks to @fnyc for the link.
30 ways to shock yourself
April 24, 2009 By 3 Comments
My ‘favourite’ ways from Elektroschutz in Bildern (1931) – the definitive collection of early 20th century German methods of accidental electrocution… Thanks to Bre Pettis for the images (via @bendgoldacre and kottke.org)
Off to see the Wizard…?
April 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Unless you’re planning to audition for your local production of “The Wizard of Oz” don’t use Coldargan (0·85 mg silver protein, 0·68 mg ephedrine levulinate, 0·24 mg sodium levulinate, and 0·075 mg calcium levulinate per drop) topical vascoconstrictor for your runny nose! This unfortunate chap developed generalized argyrosis due to the formation of silver deposits [...]
Joe Bell’s Lesson Revisited
April 22, 2009 By 3 Comments
Not only doctors stand to benefit from Joseph Bell’s valuable lesson on the art of observation. The general public (i.e. prospective patients…) would also do well to take heed. For instance, I came across an unfortunate triage note recently. Paraphrased, it read: “51 year-old female feeling nauseated after drinking an unknown substance from her refrigerator. [...]
Leonardo Da Vinci first Anatomist
April 20, 2009 By 2 Comments
Some time around 1505 both men were given the task of painting murals of great Florentine battles for the new Council Chamber of Florence. The two geniuses were to work on opposing walls. This project promised to give to the world a direct comparison of their skills and artistic approaches. To the misfortune of us all, neither of the men finished their proposed work. Leonardo’s was to depict the Florentine-led victory over Milan at ‘The Battle of Anghiari’.
On the subject of doctors
April 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment
