CRW 221
Interdisciplinary Critical Thinking
10/23/07
McCarthy
Student authored footnotes for Thomas's "Medical Lessons from History"
Sulfonamides (noun):“158. The sulfa-related group of antibiotics, which are used to treat bacterial infection and some fungal
infections.”(Medicinenet.com) Thomas use this phrase to describe when antibiotics were introduce to the medical community
as an approximate time when medicine itself was originated.
–Naeemah Smith
Pharmacopoeia (Thomas 158). 'A book containing an official list of medicinal drugs together with articles on their preparation
and use. 2. A collection or stock of drugs.' (American Heritage 632). Thomas expresses this metaphorically as the [doctors'
handbook]. 'It is customary to place the date for the beginnings of modern medicine somewhere in the mid-1930s, with the
entry of sulfonamides and penicillin into the pharmacopoeia, and it is usual to ascribe to these events the force of a revolution
in medical practice.' (158).
--Ray Cook
Empiricism (Thomas, 159) noun ”The view that experience, esp. of the senses, is the only source of knowledge” (The
American Heritage, 283) Thomas uses this word to show the reader how doctors throughout history didn’t use knowledge to
treat patients, but instead just relied on what they could see.
–Patty Slattery
Dogma (Thomas, 159). “An authoritative principle or belief, especially one considered to be absolutely true” (The American
Heritage Dictionary 255). Thomas uses this term to describe the degree to which people believed in the validity of medicine
before the 1830s, and therefore the force it took for them to realize it really didn’t heal them at all.
--Hollie Emery
Fomentation (Thomas p.160) “A hot moist material applied to the body to ease pain.” (The Merriam-Webster Dictionary p.
281). Thomas uses this term to prove to his readers that patients with typhoid and typhus fever could recover by themselves
with this method.
—Ragida Elias
Ivan Illich (Thomas 160). 1926-2002 “Austrian philosopher and anarchist social critic.” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Illich).
Author of the 1976 book Medical Nemesis. Thomas uses this term to compare the critics of medicine that were writing around
and before the 1830s to a contemporary critic of medicine that his audience in the 1970s would likely be familiar with.
--Hollie Emery
Nostrum (Thomas, 161) noun “A quack medicine or remedy” (The American Heritage, 580) Thomas uses this word to
illustrate how doctors changed their methodology from the dark ages to more modern ways of treating a patient.
—Patty Slattery
Therapeutic (Thomas, 161) adjective “Medical treatment of disease” (Webster 697). Thomas use therapeutic ritual to explain
that back in old time doctor used to do strange experiment based on assumption to try to find treatment.
--Hour Ty
Taxonomy (Thomas, Lewis page 162) “Classification of anything, systematic
classification of living organisms”. (The
Oxford English Dictionary Online. 2nd ed.)Thomas describes the special organization term for scientific filing.
-- Nicolette Poindexter
Diphtheria (Thomas, Lewis page 162) “An acute and highly infectious disease, characterized by inflammation of a mucous
surface, and by an exudation there from which results in the formation of a firm pellicle or false membrane. Its chief seat is the
mucous membrane of the throat and air passages, but other mucous surfaces are at times attacked, as are also wounds or
abrasions of the skin.” (The Oxford English Dictionary Online. 2nd ed.) Thomas uses this medical terminology to describe a
disease.
--Nicolette Poindexter
Nihilism (noun): “162. A view point that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded and that existence is senseless and
useless” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) Thomas use this word to describe the idea of therapy as treatment in the medical
community becoming worthless.
–Naeemah Smith
Pellagra (Thomas, 163) noun “A disease caused by a deficiency of niacin and protein in the diet and marked by skin eruptions
and digestive and nervous system disturbances” (The American Heritage, 623) Thomas uses this disease, as an example, to
demonstrate how shocking it was when penicillin was invented.
—Patty Slattery
Enthusiasts (Thomas,163) noun “Intense feeling for a subject or cause” (Webster 231). Thomas used this word to explain the
motivation and desire in research study which is an important process of knowledge.
--Hour ty
Anomaly (Thomas 163). '1. Deviation from the normal order, form, or rule. 2. One that is peculiar, abnormal, or difficult to
classify.' (American Heritage 35). Thomas uses this term regarding certain treatments for ailments when he was a medical
student. The common mindset at that time was 'disbelief' and hopelessness of any other or further 'therapies.' So these
treatments were some of the 'few exceptions' (163).
--Ray Cook
Undulant Fever (Thomas p.164) “A human disease caused by bacteria from infected domestic animals or their products and
marked by intermittent fever, chills, headaches, weakness, and weight loss.” (The Merriam-Webster Dictionary p.783) Thomas
uses Undulant Fever to demonstrate to his readers that in order for this disease to be identified, required time and still has no
cause.
—Ragida Elias
Serological (adjective) of Serology (noun): “164. A science dealing with serums especially their reactions and properties”
(Merriam-Webster Dictionary) Thomas use serological the adjective of Serology to describe the various studies dealing with
the chemistry of streptococcal species.
–Naeemah Smith
Carcinogenic (Thomas p.166) “A substance or agent causing cancer.” (The Merriam-Webster Dictionary p.106). Thomas uses
this term to explain to his readers that this substance causes problems that will remain unsolved; however, they will still be
studied until a solution has been reached.
—Ragida Elias
Neoplastic (Thomas, 166). Having the qualities of “An abnormal new growth of tissue; tumor” (The American Heritage
Dictionary 569). Thomas uses this term to describe cancer cells in contrast to normal cells when he states that we now know
more than we ever thought possible about both types thanks to cancer research. He implies that we cannot learn about one
without learning about the other as well.
--Hollie Emery
Paradox (Thomas 166). '1. A seemingly contradictory statement that mazy nonetheless be true. 2. One exhibiting inexplicable
or contradictory aspects.' (American Heritage 612). Thomas illustrates an oxymoron with this word. He presents two opposing
viewpoints in research but ties them together to form an overall optimistic outlook. 'The plain fact of the matter is that we do
not know enough about the facts of the matter, and we should be more open about our ignorance. At the same time, and this
will have a paradoxical sound, there has never been a period in medicine when the future has looked so bright.' (165-166).
--Ray Cook
Pragmatic (Thomas, 173) adjective “Concerned with practice rather than theory” (Webster 537). Thomas use this term to help
the reader connects with the understanding how science is one of an important discipline that can benefit in the field of health
significantly.
--Hour Ty
Imponderable (Thomas, Lewis page 174) “incalculable, in thinkable, something that cannot be estimated”. (The Oxford
English Dictionary Online. 2nd ed.)Thomas utilizes this word to describe how in comprehendible is the size of the structure of
life is.
--Nicolette Poindexter
penicillin -any of several antibiotics of low toxicity, produced naturally by molds of the genus Penicillium and also
semisynthetically, having a bactericidal action on many susceptible Gram-positive or Gram-negative cocci and bacilli, some
also being effective against certain spirochetes (Dictionary.com). Thomas uses penicillin as a disease.
--Doug Anglin
typhoid-also called typhoid fever. an infectious, often fatal, febrile disease, usually of the summer months, characterized by
intestinal inflammation and ulceration, caused by the typhoid bacillus, which is usually introduced with food or drink
(dictionary.com). Thomas uses typhoid as a disease.
--Doug Anglin
Imponderable-that cannot be precisely determined, measured, or evaluated (Dictionary.com). Thomas uses imponderable as
an adjective.
--Doug Anglin
[see next page for "Medical Lessons..." notes]
CRW 221
Interdisciplinary Critical Thinking
10/23/07
McCarthy
Student-authored footnotes for Thomas's "On Thinking About Thinking"
Notions: (Thomas, 151) Noun “Idea or opinion, whim” (Webster 235) Thomas uses this word to describe and give new value
to the thoughts inside or our heads. He uses this word to replace “thought” to show us how we are constantly changing and
exploring new expressions
--- elyse mangano
Receptors: (Thomas 152) Noun “A specialized cell or group of nerve endings that responds to sensory stimuli” (Online
Dictionary) He uses this to show how ideas cling and react to one another, how each thought works off of a different one
--- elyse mangano
Yaw (Thomas, 152) verb “To swerve off course momentarily or temporarily, as a ship” (The American Heritage p943)
Thomas uses this term to describe the attraction between a solid mass of particles which attract everything else in the mind
through a gravitational force and once that happens, the center can no longer hold all of the material and some of it breaks
loose and swerves off into new orbits around a new mass.
---Tala Bayat
Configurations (Thomas, 152) noun “Arrangement of parts or elements” (The American Heritage p186) Thomas uses the
word to describe how the receptors in the brain that produce memories are branched in a ways that allow for many
possibilities. They are not limited to one connection.
---Tala Bayat
"Brownian movement" (152): the irregular oscillatory movement observed in microscopic particles or “molecules”suspended
in a limpid fluid; also called molecular movement. (The Oxford English Dictionary Online 2nd Edition) Thomas uses the
word, “Brownian movement” within his second sentence in his opening paragraph to simply point out the idea of what is
happening between molecules as they move around within the mind.
--Donald Donahue III
“Docking” (152)“the area of water between two piers or alongside a pier that receives a ship for unloading or
repairs.”(American Heritage College 2000, 1997, 1993) Thomas uses docking as a visual for thoughts coming together.
--Marcel Cuffy
“Elliptical”(153) “path of or relating to or having the shape of an Ellipses, relating to extreme economy of oral or written
expression.”(American Heritage College 2000, 1997, 1993)
Meaning one sphere than another.
--Marcel Cuffy
"Meticulous" (153): in a scrupulous, painstaking manner; punctiliously, precisely. In earlier use esp.: Over scrupulously. (The
Oxford English Dictionary Online 2nd Edition) Thomas uses the word “meticulously” when he compares the movement of
many agreements altogether in flight and the orbits of membranes very close to each other as a complicated ordered dance to
describe the rigorous manner of the occurrence.
--Donald Donahue III
"Counterpoint" (153): To set in contrast; to emphasize a contrast between (two things0 by juxtaposition; also with against. (The
Oxford English Dictionary Online 2nd Edition) While the word “counterpoint” does mean to contrast, Thomas establishes
that it plays a role in both separation and recombination.
--Donald Donahue III
Motile (Thomas 153) adj. Biol. capable of or exhibiting spontaneous motion – motility (New World Dictionary, 2d ed, 929).
Thomas explains it in an inductive way how the neurons works in many different components in the brain towards a gainful
purpose – one though out of many ideas.
---Genie Boland
Motoric (Thomas 153) adj. same as motor (adj. 6) – of, manifested by, or involving muscular movements (a motor reflex, motor
skills) – vi. To ride in a motor vehicle; esp., to travel by automobile – vt. (Chiefly Brit.) to convey by automobile. - (New World Dictionary, 2d
ed, 930)
Thomas continues to expands on thinking as being composed of many parts, like the movement of a motor to the many parts
of musical notes in music which move endlessly but separately.
---Genie Boland
Dance: (Thomas 154) Verb “Move rhythmically to music~ Noun Act of dancing or gathering for dancing (Webster 86)
Thomas uses the aspect of dance to show how ideas are constantly flowing and shifting like we do during dance moves. The
ideas move and flow and then bump into one another.
--- elyse mangano
Music (Thomas, 154) noun “The art of arranging sounds in time to produce a composition that elicits an aesthetic response in
a listener” (The American Heritage p559) Thomas uses this term to compare music with the sensation of thinking and
describing how our brains function.
---Tala Bayat
Solitary (Thomas, 154) adjective “Existing or living alone” (The American Heritage p787) Thomas uses the term to describe
how single particles break off their existing orbits in order to find new aggregates and notions in another orbit.
---Tala Bayat
Darting (Thomas 154) vt, vi, 1. to throw, shoot, send out, etc. suddenly and fast 2. to move suddenly and fast. ( New World
Dictionary, 2d ed, 359). Thomas uses darting as a way of moving simultaneously to different parts in one direction just like
thinking differently can ultimate result in one though.
---Genie Boland
“Transfixed”(154) “to render motionless as with terror amazement or awe.” (American Heritage College 2000, 1997, 1993) In
an awe state because of connection formed through music.
--Marcel Cuffy
“Adhere”(154) “to stick fast remain attached” (American Heritage College 2000, 1997, 1993) Listening or paying attention to
the rules of the dance.
--Marcel Cuffy
Caroming is a collision followed by a rebound (The free dictionary by Farlex). Thomas uses this definition to describe what
is happening in the brain. He uses this word in his article by saying “The mind is made up of dense clouds of these structures,
flowing at random from place to place, bumping against each other and caroming away to bump again, leaving random twostep tracks like the paths of Brownian movement.” While your head is in the thinking process different particles are bumping
against each other to create more thinking.
--Rachel St Fort
Aggregate is constituting or amounting to a whole; total (The free dictionary by Farlex). Thomas uses this definition to
describe the end result of thinking. “Docking and locking continue, pairs are coupled to pairs, and aggregates are formed.”
This explains the thinking process, when different ideas are put together then the final thought is created.
--Rachel St Fort
Orbiting is the path that an object makes around another object while under the influence of a source (wikipedia). Thomas
uses this definition to describe how our thoughts wok around each other. “The darting forward to meet new pairs of notions,
built into new aggregates, the orbiting and occasional soaring of massive aggregates…” This explains your thought and when
they shift to crates other thoughts.
--Rachel St Fort
Electrons are fundamental subatomic particles that carry a negative electric charge (wikipedia). “The continual switching of
solitary particles of thought from one orbit to the next like electrons, up and down depending on the charges around the
masses involved…”
--Rachel St Fort
Harmony- Combination or adaptation of parts, elements, or related things, so as to form a consistent and orderly whole;
agreement, accord, congruity.
Symbiont: Biol.; Either of two organisms living in symbiosis; a commensal.
Nature-n.- I. Senses relating to physical or bodily power, strength, or substance.
1. a. The vital or physical powers of a person; a person's physical strength or constitution. Obs.
v.1= 1. trans. To give (a created thing, esp. a species) a particular nature.
2. intr. To create; spec. to give to each thing its specific nature. Cf. NATURING a.
Miguel Gonzalez