'Way back when, a lot of teachers were also nurses. Mrs. Doyle was one such lady who returned to teaching Third Grade and serving as the School Nurse during WWII, when we simply didn't have enough pople to go around. But there was a war going on and rather than just talk nursing, Mrs. Doyle taught it, starting with basic health. She gained our respect by producing an antique sphygmomanometer from an equally antique Black Leather Bag and commenced to give the whole class a tune-up. Indeed, she was not satisfied until the whole damn class had learned how to determine Blood Pressure. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. When you say vitals the implication is that you are recording:
Blood Pressure
Pulse Rate
Respiration Rate
Body Temperature
Height
Weight... and so forth.
That last ...and so forth... looks unscientific as hell but it makes sense to a kid. Along one wall each student had a list showing our body weight, height, color of hair & eyes and several other data elements, some not specific to human vital signs but all of profound interest to a gaggle of eight year olds.
Even more interesting is the fact we collected the data ourselves. And if you think that's a Big Deal, it's not. In fact everyone should be able to not only define their vitals but should have no trouble collecting such data and recording it in a tabular fashion.
Because that's what you do when you get sick.
Ecept nowadays, most folks don't. In the modern world you simply plug yourself into your computer and let it collect your vitals automatically. That guarantees less chance of making an error when you collect the data but it also ensures more uniform reporting. It also guarantees the data will be communicated to whoever needs it.
Which is why you could have knocked me over with a feather when a local 'health care worker' shows up to 'record' my vital signs.
Mebbe when digging the Panama Canal but definitely not in the 21st Century. By the time the 'health care worker' has driven to your home, imposed themselves on you, recorded your vitals -- correctly, I hope -- you are looking at a significant cost in time and gasoline.
-R.S.Hoover
Bob, thanks for your writings. You have taught me that a man can build an airplane without going broke. So. that's what I'm doing. I'm building a Double Eagle, a VW powered airplane. It may give you some satisfaction knowing that a
ReplyDeleteflorida man is actually on the way to flying a homebuilt. Your teaching on the subject of wing ribs using the fiberglass gussets from drywall tape has caused a set of some wing ribs that are awesome and in fact, I could not destroy one. I'm in the process of blue-printing a 1915 cc vw motor. Your teachings are thorough and greatly appreciated. Because of your FLYING ON THE CHEAP writings, I am on my way to doing just that! Thank you BOB
I'm so sorry to hear about ANYBODY growing their own cancer. Regardless of what kind. (I grew breast cancer, and seem to have stopped.)
ReplyDeleteQuestion: When nurse Doyal hauled out the antique sphygmomanometer, what did it use instead of Velcro? I've been searching and can't find out.
Best wishes on your journey.
Question: When nurse Doyal hauled out the antique sphygmomanometer, what did it use instead of Velcro?
ReplyDeleteI can't recall any buckle but the cuff ended with a tongue of fabric, as if meant to be inserted in a buckle. She secured it by simply wrapping the tongue of fabric over the cuff several times then tucking it in. -rsh