Having this time off has allowed me to finally catch up on the reading I didn't have an opportunity to do during college, when the extent of my reading consisted of books with -ology in the title, and staring at anatomical diagrams of the peritoneum.
Even though I got a little sick of reading books that were so science-heavy, it's quite ironic that when I do have free time, many of the books I read are about science or medicine. Lately, there have been many books that have really entertained me, and made me re-examine how I think about medicine, science, and my part in it.
"Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers," a book by Mary Roach, was hilarious and informative, revealing how human cadavers are really used to benefit science. Something I didn't know before reading this was that there is a difference between "donating your body to science" and "donating your body to anatomy." When you donate your body to anatomy, your body is used to educate future doctors, physical therapists, PAs, dentists, etc. in the study of anatomy, and to reveal the intricacies of the human body to students. However, when you donate your body to "science," your body can be used for whatever scientific purpose "scientists" see fit, including car crash tests, human decay, head transplant experiments, and other weird, twisted stuff. Mary Roach has also written two other books concerning human existence, one about the afterlife, and one, "Bonk," about the science behind sex, which was equally hilarious and eye-opening at the same time.
Another book that I absolutely loved and recommend to anyone studying or interested in medicine is "Body of Work: Meditations on Mortality from the Human Anatomy Lab," by Christine Montross. This book was so fascinating that I've actually read it twice within the past year. It chronicles Montross' journey through primarily the first year of medical school, particularly her experiences in the Human Gross Anatomy Lab, and the relationships she develops with her classmates, and the cadaver whom she named Eve. She also discussed the history of Anatomical study throughout the the last 2 millenia, a majority of which cadaveric dissection was considered illegal and immoral. Considering how much I stand to learn and gain from the cadaver I will be dissecting in PA school during the summer of 2010, I find myself thinking how fortunate I am to be studying during a time when cadaveric dissection is acceptable and body donation is admirable. As excited and grateful as I am to have the opportunity to participate in cadaver dissection, I am also a bit hesitant and nervous. I will be cutting into a human body, deconstructing a body that modern medicine works so hard to hold together and re-construct throughout its lifetime. I imagine it will also be slightly difficult to not think about the things that we do to the cadaver happening to me...it's just weird to think about. There is something that is so different with dissecting a cadaver as compared to a dead cat, fetal pig, or frog, all of which I have dissected in high school and college. But, there is also so much to be learned that cannot be learned from other animals. I will get to see approximately what I look like inside, and the beauty that is human anatomy.
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Saturday, December 26, 2009
Recommended reading for nerds
Having this time off has allowed me to finally catch up on the reading I didn't have an opportunity to do during college, when the extent of my reading consisted of books with -ology in the title, and staring at anatomical diagrams of the peritoneum.
Even though I got a little sick of reading books that were so science-heavy, it's quite ironic that when I do have free time, many of the books I read are about science or medicine. Lately, there have been many books that have really entertained me, and made me re-examine how I think about medicine, science, and my part in it.
"Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers," a book by Mary Roach, was hilarious and informative, revealing how human cadavers are really used to benefit science. Something I didn't know before reading this was that there is a difference between "donating your body to science" and "donating your body to anatomy." When you donate your body to anatomy, your body is used to educate future doctors, physical therapists, PAs, dentists, etc. in the study of anatomy, and to reveal the intricacies of the human body to students. However, when you donate your body to "science," your body can be used for whatever scientific purpose "scientists" see fit, including car crash tests, human decay, head transplant experiments, and other weird, twisted stuff. Mary Roach has also written two other books concerning human existence, one about the afterlife, and one, "Bonk," about the science behind sex, which was equally hilarious and eye-opening at the same time.
Another book that I absolutely loved and recommend to anyone studying or interested in medicine is "Body of Work: Meditations on Mortality from the Human Anatomy Lab," by Christine Montross. This book was so fascinating that I've actually read it twice within the past year. It chronicles Montross' journey through primarily the first year of medical school, particularly her experiences in the Human Gross Anatomy Lab, and the relationships she develops with her classmates, and the cadaver whom she named Eve. She also discussed the history of Anatomical study throughout the the last 2 millenia, a majority of which cadaveric dissection was considered illegal and immoral. Considering how much I stand to learn and gain from the cadaver I will be dissecting in PA school during the summer of 2010, I find myself thinking how fortunate I am to be studying during a time when cadaveric dissection is acceptable and body donation is admirable. As excited and grateful as I am to have the opportunity to participate in cadaver dissection, I am also a bit hesitant and nervous. I will be cutting into a human body, deconstructing a body that modern medicine works so hard to hold together and re-construct throughout its lifetime. I imagine it will also be slightly difficult to not think about the things that we do to the cadaver happening to me...it's just weird to think about. There is something that is so different with dissecting a cadaver as compared to a dead cat, fetal pig, or frog, all of which I have dissected in high school and college. But, there is also so much to be learned that cannot be learned from other animals. I will get to see approximately what I look like inside, and the beauty that is human anatomy.
Even though I got a little sick of reading books that were so science-heavy, it's quite ironic that when I do have free time, many of the books I read are about science or medicine. Lately, there have been many books that have really entertained me, and made me re-examine how I think about medicine, science, and my part in it.
"Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers," a book by Mary Roach, was hilarious and informative, revealing how human cadavers are really used to benefit science. Something I didn't know before reading this was that there is a difference between "donating your body to science" and "donating your body to anatomy." When you donate your body to anatomy, your body is used to educate future doctors, physical therapists, PAs, dentists, etc. in the study of anatomy, and to reveal the intricacies of the human body to students. However, when you donate your body to "science," your body can be used for whatever scientific purpose "scientists" see fit, including car crash tests, human decay, head transplant experiments, and other weird, twisted stuff. Mary Roach has also written two other books concerning human existence, one about the afterlife, and one, "Bonk," about the science behind sex, which was equally hilarious and eye-opening at the same time.
Another book that I absolutely loved and recommend to anyone studying or interested in medicine is "Body of Work: Meditations on Mortality from the Human Anatomy Lab," by Christine Montross. This book was so fascinating that I've actually read it twice within the past year. It chronicles Montross' journey through primarily the first year of medical school, particularly her experiences in the Human Gross Anatomy Lab, and the relationships she develops with her classmates, and the cadaver whom she named Eve. She also discussed the history of Anatomical study throughout the the last 2 millenia, a majority of which cadaveric dissection was considered illegal and immoral. Considering how much I stand to learn and gain from the cadaver I will be dissecting in PA school during the summer of 2010, I find myself thinking how fortunate I am to be studying during a time when cadaveric dissection is acceptable and body donation is admirable. As excited and grateful as I am to have the opportunity to participate in cadaver dissection, I am also a bit hesitant and nervous. I will be cutting into a human body, deconstructing a body that modern medicine works so hard to hold together and re-construct throughout its lifetime. I imagine it will also be slightly difficult to not think about the things that we do to the cadaver happening to me...it's just weird to think about. There is something that is so different with dissecting a cadaver as compared to a dead cat, fetal pig, or frog, all of which I have dissected in high school and college. But, there is also so much to be learned that cannot be learned from other animals. I will get to see approximately what I look like inside, and the beauty that is human anatomy.
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