Getting to know you!

I was asked to write another space filling article for another thing. Struggling to come up with an idea, I consulted another classmate. We had a laugh and managed to punch out something that we thought was witty. Unfortunately, our most innuendo laden pun failed to hit the mark so was cut. Probably because we were entering that unfortunate stage of delirium one enters with too much time on one task when we wrote it. So I present to you some of the surviving bits. A big thankyou to my esteemed colleague (to borrow a phrase) who co-wrote and co-procrastinated it to pseudo-success.

Facts about the body: how well do you know yourself?

Being in med school, you're in a prime position.  But which human cell is most numerous in your composition?

A) Neuron

            B) RBC

            C) Skeletal muscle

            D) Neutrophil

The most common cell type in your body is actually bacterial. So what percentage of your cells is human material?

            A) 50%

            B) 30%

            C) 10%

            D) 5%

As a medical student you should understand the feeling of being broke. But which is the bone that gets broke the most?

A)   Clavicle

B)   Radius

C)   Mandible

D)   Scaphoid

At long last, we move along from the long bones to the longest muscle of the body. Which has it been all along?

            A) Trapezius

            B) Sartorius

            C) Latissimus dorsi

            D) Gastrocnemius

Weighed down by knowledge is how you will be, when reaching the end of your medical degree. To fill up your brain will have taken much time, but the weight of your brain and which book, most closely align?

A)   Boron & Boulpaep, Medical Physiology

B)   Moore & Dalley, Clinically Oriented Anatomy

C)   Talley & O’Connor, Clinical Examination

D)   Longmore et al. The Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine

And yes, for the record I actually weighed the text books to see which weighed closest to the average brain weight of 1.4Kg. 

If you want the answers you'll have to earn them.

Doctors In Training!

Had a hilarious practical tute today. They were teaching us 'injection techniques.' There was a group of nine of us, two of whom were already needle veterans. So for all intents and purposes there were seven novices. I shall include myself as a beginner as I've only ever given injections to mice.

It was all going well, only one needle stick. But then they let us practice opening the glass ampoules. These are little glass vials, that are really good for keeping drugs stable. They also have the added benefit that you have to crack the top off of them as there is no lid. Hence you can't exactly steal the morphine inside.

They are however tricky to open. This was evidenced by the two people in my tute group who managed to cut themselves while breaking the tops off. Nothing overly bad, but somewhat amusing that the most hazard part of the morning came from the package rather than the needle.

On the plus side we got to immunise some faux skin covered sponges. They were very grateful and are now fully vaccinated against saline.

Another thing on the list of things I can't wait to try on actual people!

Crusty bitter old dean

So in the time that has past since my last entry, I have had a shower. But in that time I managed to remind myself to write more of the hilarious things that happen.

For example, I rocked up at medball, and stood outside in the line behind an older chap and his wife. Given that the line was long and we had both found ourselves seperated from our associates we introduced ourselves.
"I'm a first year." I told the guy, having never seen him before in my life. I then gave him a little bit more of my back story, as he prompted, seeming interested.
"What about yourself, I asked. Are you a student as well?" I asked politely, somewhat unsure what to ask because I'd not seen him around uni.
"No, I'm the dean."
"Uhhhh. Well you never can tell with the variety of age ranges around here..." I replied happily, trying to dig my way out. But it was okay, and we had a nice little chat.

About 20 minutes later though, a friend of mine came and said "So I hear you met the dean!" Sigh!

Better to keep your mouth closed and be thought of as a fool, then to open your mouth and prove them correct, right?