DOCTORS - not using Latin language? Why?
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DOCTORS - not using Latin language? Why?
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Latin language has been the common language for communication between doctors for ages. In my country of origing it was and still is a mandatory part of the Medical Degree. In contrary
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Forums » Open clinical » General clinical » DOCTORS - not using Latin language? Why?
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Re: DOCTORS - not using Latin language? Why?
posted at 19/7/2012 9:57 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 2949
First: 10/3/2009 Last: 24/5/2013 |
It (kowledge of the Classics) might just improve spelling and pronunciation of medical words as well as some insight into what the word really means eg angina pectoris, cystocele, anodyne, odynophagia, et cetera, lest I labour sic labor this topic ipso facto ad nauseum, ad infinitum. How many know what thesis means seeing a PhD thesis is a sine qua non of modern medical specialisation. How about et cetera? I realise this is not Latin, but to me the proposal is the same. We are parrots. We mouth words. |
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Re: DOCTORS - not using Latin language? Why?
posted at 20/7/2012 7:50 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 2059
First: 12/3/2010 Last: 23/5/2013 |
Why are we singling out Latin? A little knowledge of physics, of engineering, of sociology, of many other disciplines may make you a better doctor, if they impinge on your work. Having misspelt three of the above words, a better knowledge of typing would make me a better doc2doc correspondent, but I really don't think that I am a worse doctor if my spelling is poor because I am unable to apply a memory of Latin to modern usage. JOhn |
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Re: DOCTORS - not using Latin language? Why?
posted at 20/7/2012 8:36 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 2949
First: 10/3/2009 Last: 24/5/2013 |
A little knowledge of physics, of engineering, of sociology, of many other disciplines may make you a better doctor, if they impinge on your work. I can see you use the Classics a lot in your diction, John. the rest are Norse or Old High German. |
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Re: DOCTORS - not using Latin language? Why?
posted at 20/7/2012 9:49 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 164
First: 31/5/2012 Last: 8/10/2012 |
I can see you use the Classics a lot in your diction, John. the rest are Norse or Old High German. Posted by Odysseus I would be more interested to know what language and words would you, or John use to name certain structures in the Cranium, or anywhere in the Human Anatomy if not Latin...than speculating about "Norse or Old High German"....(?) Doctors - not using Latin language? Why? - this is the topic of my discussion |
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Re: DOCTORS - not using Latin language? Why?
posted at 20/7/2012 10:10 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 1789
First: 7/3/2009 Last: 23/5/2013 |
Things happened during the decades that made even the use of Latin terminology pronounced in a way you wonder some time what on Earth people mean. English speaking countries have done their "duties" in turning some words and expressions into "how you pronounce it American sounding". We no longer speak about hepar, but liver, nobody speaks of glandula thyroidea, but thyroid and even that with an English pronunciation as to completely distort the word. Not to speak about leucocytes, erythrocytes, pneumonia (should be pronounced exacly as letters written, not by distortion and swallowing of the P letter...). Examples are endless. Try to present at a conference using the correct pronunciation and you will be looked upon as an antique anachronism.
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Re: DOCTORS - not using Latin language? Why?
posted at 20/7/2012 12:26 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 164
First: 31/5/2012 Last: 8/10/2012 |
In Response to Re: DOCTORS - not using Latin language? Why?: Things happened during the decades that made even the use of Latin terminology pronounced in a way you wonder some time what on Earth people mean. English speaking countries have done their "duties" in turning some words and expressions into "how you pronounce it American sounding". We no longer speak about hepar, but liver, nobody speaks of glandula thyroidea, but thyroid and even that with an English pronunciation as to completely distort the word. Not to speak about leucocytes, erythrocytes, pneumonia (should be pronounced exacly as letters written, not by distortion and swallowing of the P letter...). Examples are endless. Try to present at a conference using the correct pronunciation and you will be looked upon as an antique anachronism. Posted by yoram chaiter This is exactly what I observe here (UK). Wonder who and why allowed this happening? Anglosaxons are NOT the entire medical population. Sad that their ex-colonies addopted the same approach. Dangerous for the medical science! |
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Re: DOCTORS - not using Latin language? Why?
posted at 21/7/2012 12:31 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 107
First: 13/3/2012 Last: 22/5/2013 |
In Response to Re: DOCTORS - not using Latin language? Why?: Hang on, I am an old fashioned GP, I did years of Latin but I am afraid I am as poor at dead languages as I am at living ones. I can speak a little French and have a few words of Gujrati, Portuguese and Italian. But the old fashioned GP does exist , for a bit longer I hope. Sic transit gloria Posted by Pat Lush Hi Pat, I am delighted to hear that you are one of the few remaining old fashioned GPs. You must get a great deal of satisfaction from all those home visits when no one else in the area does them. I remember our old GP who knew the minute he opened the door of a home, what the problem was, because he knew the "smell" of the disease. He never sent anyone for xrays. He knew what the problem was and how to fix it because he examined patients. He knew the different sounds of the different coughs. What the different shades of red complexion indicated. He knew the colours and textures of discharges and vomit, urine (even the taste of urine) and faeces (I am sure he stuck to the smell, colour, texture and form of the feces). He knew the names of muscles (the proper names), what they did, where they attached, how they worked, and what the result was if that particular muscle was not working properly. He was a hands on doctor, so he knew what he was doing, what he was working with. And he actually listened. He knew his patients, their names, their birthdays, the names of their spouses, children, mothers, mothers in law. He conversed about their hobbies, explained their problems in metaphors that matched their interests, their jobs, their sports. Patients knew what he was talking about because he conversed in their "language'. This was a man who could quote the classics, talk about car engines, recite poetry to pregnant women whose husbands could not be there at the time,: loved Shakespeare and his wisdom, could drag out the bible quotes for the religious, share sports stories for those who shunned Shakespeare and the bible. And underlying all that, was such a wealth of experience and knowledge, that he really was the primary care physician. It had to be a toughie before he sent anyone off for further tests, which, I suppose I must admit, weren't even there when I was young. So, well done, Pat. I am so glad to know that this kind of doctor still exists, and exists happily amongst todays rush and bustle.
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Re: DOCTORS - not using Latin language? Why?
posted at 21/7/2012 8:59 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 13
First: 21/6/2012 Last: 4/9/2012 |
In Response to Re: DOCTORS - not using Latin language? Why?: In Response to Re: DOCTORS - not using Latin language? Why? : This is exactly what I observe here (UK). Wonder who and why allowed this happening? Anglosaxons are NOT the entire medical population. Sad that their ex-colonies addopted the same approach. Dangerous for the medical science! Posted by drmk The cost of employing Latin tutors? Do you know anyone around with the answer?
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Re: DOCTORS - not using Latin language? Why?
posted at 21/7/2012 6:33 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 960
First: 15/7/2011 Last: 24/5/2013 |
What is the best way to communicate with patients and colleagues in England? In English. Latin is a fascinating and cultured language but it is mainly used because of academic snobbery. |
Forums » Open clinical » General clinical » DOCTORS - not using Latin language? Why?
