Showing posts with label medical signs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label medical signs. Show all posts

Friday, September 21, 2007

Signs


I mentioned signs in a recent post, at the time referring to those unofficial (as opposed, say, to Battle's Sign) but somehow meaningful constructs we all get to know. To wit:

The "O-Sign," signifying a level of coma such that the person's mouth is open.

The "Q-Sign," meaning the same, with the tongue hanging out. More serious.

The "Lipstick Sign," when a lady puts on makeup/lipstick after surgery or other illness, signifying recovery. I suppose a male equivalent is shaving.

There are many others. (Throckmorton's has already been done.) And I've seen a few compendia of abbreviations. Here, I'm thinking signs.

It needn't be medical. Got any amusing or dead-on signs to add, relating to your profession? In particular, anyone ever come up with one of his/her own? I think I did.

I used to refer to Schwab's sign (of imminent death): when the hematocrit and bilirubin cross. I think, in fact, it might also apply to hemoglobin/bilirubin. For all I know, it's already been named; but I haven't heard it. What're yours, new or used?

Sampler

Moving this post to the head of the list, I present a recently expanded sampling of what this blog has been about. Occasional rant aside, i...