Medical Mysteries
mementomori | November 14, 2007Boston, Massachusetts, 1865 - Corporal Charles H. Williams, formerly of the 13th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, arrives from his hometown for a reunion with surviving members of his unit. For the past four years the 13th had been involved in a number of now hallowed Civil War battles including Second Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburg. With the pounding of cannon still fresh in the soldiers' minds, their commander, Lt. Col. Hovey, has arranged for a ceremony to honor the freshly minted veterans for their sacrifice to the Union.
In the midst of a hushed crowd, each man climbs…
mementomori | October 29, 2007[Editor's Note: at the request of our readers this will become a recurring feature. The C.O. in his infinite wisdom created a new character, Dr. Noce Saggio, to serve as the protagonist in this series of medical mysteries. And now, if you would please, raise the curtain... ]
"Another espresso, Doctor?" The waiter stood crisply by the table as his customer drained the last of his cup. The cafe swelled with the sounds of early morning conversation.
"I don't think so, Raoul. I've got to be off to my clinic. My secretary will not stand another late start this week." The waiter bowed and…
mementomori | October 15, 2007I recently heard about an amazing case that seems to be filled with lessons for doctors. Not claming to be Homer, my paraphrasing will be modest, but let me tell the tale anyway. Then we'll try to decipher the moral of the story.
Once upon a time a 19 year old man woke up feeling ill. He complained to his mother of nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite and dizziness, and called in sick to work. Within 48 hours his family noticed him to be withdrawn and confused. They brought him to the emergency room where he was examined by the attending physician and found to be nearly obtunded. He…