Covering my Bootay
This blog is written for the purpose of informing writers for realism in fiction. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, advise, or assist real people or animals who have real problems. If you have a problem not related to fiction, please see the appropriate practicing doctor, legal counsel, or veterinarian!
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Category Archives: infection
Cautery Basics
A question hit my inbox recently regarding cautery. If you’ve never heard the term before, cautery (aka cauterization) means the intentional burning or scarring of tissue as a means to: Stop blood loss and seal blood vessels Sever tissue (for … Continue reading
Posted in infection, Treatments, wounds
Tagged amputation, burns, cauterization, trauma, wounds
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The Scars of the Past
One of the matters you may wish to consider in any world-building you do are scars, both physical and psychological, and both on a personal level and on the level of your society. You can milk a scar or a … Continue reading
Posted in Plague, Rare Diseases
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Epidemics, Pandemics, and African HIV
I have run into a few people lately who were fairly certain that the population in Africa was going to be shrinking any day now because of the HIV epidemic that is sweeping through sub-Saharan Africa. Â While it’s true that … Continue reading
Posted in infection
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Food Poisoning 101
My character ate some fish that’s gone more than a little bad. Now what? As with almost everything in writing, the answer is – that depends. Food poisoning can be caused by any of over 250 substances (bacteria, parasites, fungi, … Continue reading
Animal Attacks
So your character is wandering along, minding his own business when out of nowhere a vicious creature leaps on him intent on lunch. The intrepid hero manages to fight the beast off, or perhaps the plucky heroine rescues him for … Continue reading