Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

A portion of a hospital devoted to providing skilled nursing care, rather than acute care. To qualify as an SNU, the unit must have an organized professional staff including medical and nursing professionals, and meet the other social and health needs of patients who do not require acute hospital care, but who do need professional…

One of the two strands of deoxyribunucleic acid (DNA) which form the double helix carrying genetic information.  

A computer-enhanced x-ray technique in which patients are injected with a drug which emits a small amount of radiation. The chemical settles in tissues in direct proportion to the amount of blood flow in the area. Scanning which is coupled with a computer produces images which are useful in diagnosing various conditions. It has been…

A hereditary disorder caused by a single gene. Examples are Huntington’s disease, Tay-Sachs disease, and sickle cell anemia.  

A tax on products or activities which are allegedly harmful; for example, alchohol and cigarettes.  

Discharging the patient; the act of the attending physician which records his permission for the patient to leave the hospital. By this act, the physician in effect states that, in his opinion, the patient does not require further care in the institution.  

The act of a patient to sign a document (release form) (1) refusing the recommendations of the physician and (2) releasing the physician and the hospital from liability-“signing himself out” (discharging himself) rather than being “signed out” (discharged) by the physician, which is the normal procedure-and leaving the hospital. The act of leaving the hospital…

A sudden disturbance of the emotions and the mind caused by an unexpected and major event.  

In relation to injury, “shock” refers to a sudden failure of circulation, with a drop in blood pressure, pale skin, drop in body temperature, and other signs. Shock may be caused by blood loss, but also by a general reaction of the body to the injury. Immediate treatment is essential to sustain life, and to…

One of the primary federal antitrust laws. Section 1 of the Sherman Act prohibits contracts, combinations, and conspiracies in restraint of trade, and Section 2 prohibits monopolies and attempts to monopolize. The Sherman Act has been interpreted by the courts to apply only to unreasonable restraints of trade, since every contract restrains commerce to some…