The Medical Thread

A hit on the head can cause bleeding inside the brain, possibly leading to unconsciousness, brain damage, or even death. Worse, it usually shows up only after the concussion itself is over. Concussion itself doesn't lead to long-lasting unconsciousness, so prolonged one is a bad sign.

• If it actually happens, you should go to a hospital in a hurry.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman

So not only it isn't as common, but also far more dangerous than depiction in media?

I'm a (socialist) professional writer serializing a WWII alternate history webnovel.

''Of course not''

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman

Two really fascinating articles from Cracked:

6 Insane Last Resort Surgeries that Actually Worked

5 "Modern" Medical Procedures (that are Thousands Years Old

I'm a (socialist) professional writer serializing a WWII alternate history webnovel.

Does anyone know some good books on human anatomy and general medicine? Also, has anyone read Gray's Anatomy?

I'm a (socialist) professional writer serializing a WWII alternate history webnovel.

There are a lot of anatomy textbooks out there... If you have a university nearby, you could try going to their library.

Some names I remember are Saladin, Marieb, Moore, and Martini. Unfortunately I can't remember which ones are good and which aren't. I think Saladin was recommended to us.

Be not afraid...

Gray's Anatomy, now there is a classic. I can remember studying that in art school,

edited 24th Feb '12 1:18:50 AM by joeyjojo

hashtagsarestupid

Necro.

Say, how reliable is this Grey's Anatomy? According to wikipedia, this is published in 1858. Surely at least some of the content must be outdated.

In a more random note, can you consume too much fiber? What happens when you do that?

I'm a (socialist) professional writer serializing a WWII alternate history webnovel.

It's pretty accurate if you want artist references, or a thing to study as an intro to anatomy. Not accurate enough to do surgery by though.

As far as the fiber goes, you can either get diarrhea or constipation depending on your fluid intake, and it makes you feel gassy and bloated.

"I don't know how I do it. I'm like the Mr. Bean of sex." -Drunkscriblerian

^^Gray's Anatomy has been republished a ridiculous number of times now to account for that. I think they're up to the 40th edition now. Anatomy textbooks don't become as obsolete as quickly as others do, either. Gray's is still recommended for use by medical students, though you'll obviously need more detailed textbooks for surgery.

And, personally? Use Moore's.

edited 12th Aug '12 5:14:20 PM by Yuanchosaan

"Doctor Who means never having to say you're kidding." - Bocaj

I see. I've always been interested in human anatomy. When I went to my local bookstore, the place had the book in fairly cheap price. Then I looked at the illustrations and they looked quite archaic in my eyes so I was wondering. I don't know who Moore is, though.

By the way, I have a question, this time regarding musculoskeletal system.

You know how in fiction where someone get a dislocated shoulder, s/he just pops in back and it just works fine? Is it accurate?

edited 13th Aug '12 7:36:49 AM by dRoy

I'm a (socialist) professional writer serializing a WWII alternate history webnovel.

On dislocated shoulders: It can be that simple. Or it can be a lot more complicated and hard to fix; it really depends on how the shoulder is dislocated. In general, it will hurt like a sumbitch no matter what, and the sooner you fix it after the injury, the easier and less painful it is.

...if you don’t love you’re dead, and if you do, they’ll kill you for it.

^^They still publish the first edition of Gray's Anatomy as a historical curiosity, so to speak. The current textbook will cost you about $100. Moore wrote Clinically Oriented Anatomy, a textbook that I personally find superior to Gray's*

. You can get student editions of both, which are easier to understand. If you're a uni student and your library has online books, you might like to check if they have either of those available for free.

The technique for "popping back in place" a dislocated joint is known as reducing. It's possible to do this to oneself, but not without proper medical training*

and more than one arm to work with. Like Maddy said, reducing it will hurt like hell, but the pain and swelling will be substantially lessened after. Which is not to say you won't be in any pain - ligaments and muscles will have been damaged, and if you're unlucky, nerves and blood vessels as well.

edited 13th Aug '12 2:48:00 PM by Yuanchosaan

"Doctor Who means never having to say you're kidding." - Bocaj

Oh it's possible and it hurts, I've done it.

hashtagsarestupid

There are a couple of different medical anatomy textbooks - I never liked Grey's all that much. I think the ones I used were Martini and Saladin?

Be not afraid...

^^My dad reduced his ankle a few months ago. It fixed the dislocation, but unfortunately not the fractures.

"Doctor Who means never having to say you're kidding." - Bocaj

So, out of curiosity, where are our dear contributing Tropers coming from in terms of medical experience? Me, I'm just here to learn stuff since I don't know anything. Upon completion of basic training, I'm contracted to be trained as a medic in the Army.

Wise Papa Smurf, corrupted by his own power. CAN NO LEADER GO UNTAINTED?!

Ah, so it isn't too implausible. Fiction in general is so full of inaccuracy especially when it comes to medical procedures so I just wanted to check.

So "popping back" is called "reducing", good to know. Thanks.

@HR - Ah, I remember you saying that in that Troper Coven thread. Is there any particular motivation behind your choice, if you don't mind telling?

edited 14th Aug '12 7:43:42 AM by dRoy

I'm a (socialist) professional writer serializing a WWII alternate history webnovel.

Well originally, I wanted to go into intelligence but for that you need a security clearance and they said I wasn't eligible for various reasons. I chose to enlist anyway, in a non-secure position, in order to get my foot in the door and apply to re-classify later on. I didn't fancy being an infantryman too much but I still wanted to do something combat-related and learning combat medicine sounded like a really useful skill to have generally. I feel a little guilty, as I don't have a particular passion for medicine and I feel like I'd be letting people down by running off after only a couple of years, but then I figured I'd make the most of my time and be a damn good medic.

Part of that is doing a little research before I get shipped off, part of it is paying attention to what the real medical professionals say.

edited 14th Aug '12 7:48:57 AM by HouraiRabbit

Wise Papa Smurf, corrupted by his own power. CAN NO LEADER GO UNTAINTED?!

Ah, I see. Cool.

Oh, another question! What happens when you break your sternum?

edited 14th Aug '12 11:56:50 AM by dRoy

I'm a (socialist) professional writer serializing a WWII alternate history webnovel.

@rabbit: well im a nusring student but I found out shoulder reducing the hard way when I was 13.

What is the army like by the way? Medic did cross my mind career wise, but my parents wouldn't been too happy about it

edited 14th Aug '12 3:42:56 PM by joeyjojo

hashtagsarestupid

@Hourai Rabbit: I'm a (very junior) medical student and my parents are both doctors. I suppose that means I've been stewing in a medical atmosphere for most of my life. Hopefully we have an actual doctor lurking in these fora, because my knowledge and experience are rubbishy.

@d Roy: I have no idea, but I can do some research for you. Is there a particular part of the sternum you're interested in? Out of curiosity, are you thinking of becoming a doctor?

edited 14th Aug '12 3:57:01 PM by Yuanchosaan

"Doctor Who means never having to say you're kidding." - Bocaj

@Yuan - Thanks for the offer.

Oh, no. My talent and interest lies on English (of course, from my posts that might not be evident) and planning to major on it. That said, I love learning about how human body works. It is in fact one of my favorite subjects.

I'm a (socialist) professional writer serializing a WWII alternate history webnovel.

My knowledge base: a well-established habit of listening and asking questions while the medical people I know are talking shop. Pretty good google-fu to find reliable websites, and the vocabulary and intelligence o read stuff that hasn't been dumbed-down for non-medical people. And some personal experience.

...if you don’t love you’re dead, and if you do, they’ll kill you for it.

I haven't shipped out to basic training yet, I've only signed my contract thus far. I've been told that there are quite a few opportunities for medics if you're willing to put the work in; there is a vocational nursing course you can apply for, flight medic, physician's assistant, in addition to being able to go to Officer Candidate School later on. If you search around on the internet you can find plenty of people willing to talk about what the life is like; it all depends on what kind of unit you're assigned to. You could just as easily be working in a hospital as on patrol with an infantry platoon in the middle of Taliban country surrounded by IEDs.

On the subject of parents well, all I can say is that my parents were opposed to the idea of me enlisting too (they wanted me to be an officer) but ultimately the decision was mine.

edited 15th Aug '12 12:29:32 AM by HouraiRabbit

Wise Papa Smurf, corrupted by his own power. CAN NO LEADER GO UNTAINTED?!