Research! *tears out hair*

[erastes]

I’ve just spent an HOUR researching how old the “hernia cough test” is.

does anyone KNOW???

More to the point, if i put it in the book set in 1866 will someone know THEN?

and will anyone care?

*stabs research*

- - -

Comments

[semioticwarrior.livejournal.com]

You could always cover by having a Conveniently Ahead of His Time Doctor perform an Unorthodox New Test that has sometimes yielded results for him....

[gehayi.livejournal.com]

What IS the hernia cough test?

[erastes.livejournal.com]

from a hernia page:

Many hernias are discovered during routine physical exams. If you're a guy, you may have had a physical exam where your doctor gave you a testicular exam and checked your testicles for a hernia. By placing a finger at the top of your scrotum and asking you to cough, the doctor can feel if you have a hernia.

[gehayi.livejournal.com]

Good heavens. I never heard of that.

[joannesopercook.livejournal.com]

http://books.google.com/books?id=Y4ZLAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA606#v=onepage&q&f=false

(that one's 1809 but I don't know if there's anything about diagnosis there)

http://books.google.com/books?id=-_QBAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA18#v=onepage&q&f=false
(the chap appears to be talking about a patient who presents with an inguinal hernia)

[erastes.livejournal.com]

oo - that's fasncinating - thank you!

[joannesopercook.livejournal.com]

I'll see if I can come across anything else. :)

[chris-smith-atr.livejournal.com]

You just like leering over men's buttocks. CONFESS!

[joannesopercook.livejournal.com]

I do! it's the truth! *hides head* :D

hernia cough test...

[cheriedesues.livejournal.com]

Erastes,

As a doctor and having research early medicine as far back as the Greeks, let me assure you that palpable exams for a male hernia near the groin is ages old. Yes, the exam was done in the British military routinely...did they cough? Well, more than likely the surgeon had them bear down like a bowel movement to test the men for hernias. Coughing was a no-no in early times, a scary situation that spread the black plague and other illnesses. I suggest using the bear-down method for testing hernias or the sit up method as a surgeon held the groin as the soldier lifted their back from the floor. Both exams were very evident of an inguinal or umbilical hernia.

Hope this helps. Cherie De Sues

Re: hernia cough test...

[erastes.livejournal.com]

How lovely! Thank you so much, Cheri! I feel you are going to be a useful addition to the flist.... *evil grin*

Thats very useful indeed.

[ammonite7.livejournal.com]

There is a marvelous community here on LiveJournal called little_details, that answers questions like this. You join, pose your question, and it is amazing how many answers, often detailed, you get, often from those who know. I have found it amazingly useful and often entertaining.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

i'm afraid that LD and i fell out because when I asked a question (and anyone who knows me knows I will exhaust every avenue before asking anyone for help) the mods were EXTREMELY rude to me and told to go and Google my answer. So I left.