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As a counter-example, a master carpenter need not precisely measure every single rough-cut with a machinist's micrometer. Sometimes bonking the knee with a giz
by phobosanomaly 6y ago
As a counter-example, a master carpenter need not precisely measure every single rough-cut with a machinist's micrometer.
Sometimes bonking the knee with a gizmo is just as good as bonking the knee with your hand, especially if you've spent the past 30 years bonking knees for a living.
- notRobot 6y agoAre you a medical professional? Do you have any sources for this claim?
- phobosanomaly 6y agoSure thing: Orient, Jane M. Sapira's Art & Science of Bedside Diagnosis 5th Ed. Chapter 1: The Art of Clinical Examination. P5. "My original reflex hammer from medical school was simply a round rubber ball about the diameter of a nickel, mounted on a handle. This illustrates the point that any hammer is satisfactory if the examiner knows where to strike the tendon. I have even used the diaphragm of a Sprague stethoscope, and a former resident, a Vanderbuilt graduate, used her knuckle. Some physicians use the tips of their fingers, a tool that is always available." I don't think a citation is really necessary in this case. You're tapping a tendon. That's all. You don't need special equipment. I wouldn't make the same argument for a stethoscope. But if you want, Sapira is a really fun textbook. It's even a fun read for a layperson.
- medntech 6y agoI use a reflex hammer for reflexes, especially in kids. You definitely can use your hands too but it takes more skill and practice that I don't have.
- phobosanomaly 6y agoThat's why I like Sapira. It's like the grizzled old attending who's forgotten more than you'll learn over your entire career, going about the physical exam like a master craftsman. Using their hands, eyes, ears, nose to diagnose. I'll probably never be at that level of skill either, but man it's cool to watch and read about.
- raincom 6y agoIt depends on the customer. If a customer of that master carpenter is a good carpenter, this master carpenter should take note of it: either perform it the way that customer says or provide good reasons why it is not so. In this case, this master carpenter (that inept specialist) is not a master at all.
- phobosanomaly 6y agoAh, but a good carpenter would love the opportunity to see someone even better at their craft than they achieve the same goal with a novel approach honed over decades!