Author: Dave Rosenberg, M.D. Educational Pearls Poiseuille’s Law addresses the flow of a fluid through a tube. Many common ED presentations involve alterations in flow: asthma, MI, ischemic stroke, etc. According to the law, flow increases with the 4th power of the radius. That is to say, doubling the radius of the tube will increase…
Read MoreAuthor: Sam Killian, M.D. Educational Pearls Andrew Jackson was the 7th president of the USA. He served 2 terms from 1829-1837. He had had many medical issues during his presidency. He was said to be chronically underweight with rotting teeth. Furthermore, he had chronic infections and lead poisoning from bullets lodged in his arm and…
Read MoreAuthor: Dave Rosenberg M.D. Educational Pearls: Louis Pasteur developed the technique that is now known as pasteurization. It was first used in the wine-producing regions of France, and eventually in dairy products like milk. Pasteur also investigated infectious disease. During one experiment, Pasteur’s lab assistant accidentally infected chickens with a weakened form of cholera. When…
Read MoreAuthor: Rachel Duncan, PharmD BCPS Educational Pearls: Toradol (Ketorolac) is an NSAID used for its anti-inflammatory properties In practice, the common dosages are 30mg IV or 60mg IM Clinical concerns arise in patients with renal insufficiency or bleeding, but the risks are small (<1%) Studies have found that doses over 7.5mg have the same efficacy…
Read MoreRun Time: 3 minutes Author: Christopher Holmes M.D. Educational Pearls: In the chapter on altered mentation in a 1966 pamphlet on handling emergency medical situations, the number one suspicion of altered mental status was toxic substance ingestion. The key suspects for toxic ingestion at that time were benzodiazepines and bromide toxicity. They specifically state in…
Read MoreRun Time: 3 minutes Author: Dylan Luyten M.D. Educational Pearls: Scurvy is a terrible disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. Causes failure of collagen synthesis and breakdown of connective tissue, and ultimately, death. British sailors were called “Limeys” because of the practice of taking limes to prevent scurvy. James Lind is notable in the history…
Read MoreRun Time: 5 minutes Author: Christopher Holmes M.D. Educational Pearls: The New England Journal of Medicine produced a pamphlet in 1966 about the management of emergencies. Cardiac arrest treatment algorithm at that time consisted of a precordial thump, then artificial ventilation via mouth to mouth (as intubation wastes too much time), and then initiating compressions….
Read MoreRun Time: 6 minutes Author: Christopher Holmes M.D. Educational Pearls: In 1966, sepsis was believed to be comprised of bacteremia, endotoxins and exotoxins, and disruption of capillary blood flow. Risk factors were women who underwent “non-sterile abortions” (A common occurance before Row vs Wade in 1973) and being an “old” man over 40 y/o. For…
Read MoreRun Time: 5 minutes Author: Dr. David Rosenberg Educational Pearls: There are two cases of diphtheria per year in the United States due to our ubiquitously provided vaccinations. Diphtheria presents with a grey, leather-like appearance in the back of the throat as well as a “seal-bark” cough. This is caused by a relatively weak bacteria called Corynebacterium…
Read MoreRun Time: 3 minutes Author: Dr. Christopher Holmes Educational Pearls: Shot with musket to upper abdomen in 1822 on Mackinac Island – survived standard of care of blood letting and cathartics – was left with a fistula from his stomach to his abdominal wall. Alexis St. Martin was illiterate and signed a contract with Dr. William…
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