Re: Diagnosis

choi

Letter to editor: Re: Diagnosis. New York Times Magazine, Mar 18, 2018.

Lisa Sanders, MD, wrote about a mysterious bruise. After several visits to the hospital and various tests, the patient's condition was correctly diagnosed with a few simple question.

A few years ago, I rushed my husband to the ER because his legs has swollen to double its size. The doctors at the very prestigious did test after test and gave him steroids and a shot of adrenaline, and they puzzled over the cause. We kept asking: Could it have something to do with the hike we went on? They dismissed this. Two days later, his condition had not improved. Finally a dermatologist was brought in and said, "Allergy to poison oak." If they had listened to us about the hike and put two and two together, it might saved everyone time, money and worry.
Dee, Los Angeles

Over 35 years ago, a very wise neurologist at my medical school told me that "history solves the mystery." My father, who was also a wise physician, frequently said that often the patients would tell you what is wrong with them if only you would shut up and let them.
James, Hilliard, Ohio

My comment:
(a) Regarding the italiac introduction. Sander's Mar 4, 2018 essay was about scurvy, which I introduced to you on Mar 10, under the title "Vitamin C Deficiency."
(b) For "allergy to poison oak," see urushiol
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urushiol
("Toxicodendron spp. (eg, poison oak, Lacquer Tree, poison ivy, poison sumac)" )

The spp stands for plural form of species, which is the same whether it is singular or plural. The abbreviation sp stands for species, the singular form.

Click poison oak and poison ivy, to see their respective distribution.
(c)  "History solves the mystery."

The history is short for medical history 病史.