How to take histories and examine medical patients : a summary for beginners / London Hospital Medical College.

  • London Hospital Medical College
Date:
[1938?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: How to take histories and examine medical patients : a summary for beginners / London Hospital Medical College. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    in telegraphic style. The approximate duration of each complaint should also be stated: e.g., shortness of breath for 5 years, or, pain in the chest for 2 days. It is seldom that this section should occupy more than three or four lines. History of present illness.—The importance of an accurate definition of the onset and of the arrangement of symptoms in chronological order has already been emphasized. A _ correct appreciation of the progress of symptoms can usually be facilitated by starting a new paragraph whenever there appears to be some definite change in the course of the patient’s illness. These paragraphs should start with some precise statement of the passage ot time, such as “‘ Fourteen years ago, at the age of 3 .or Twelve hours-later..........Telegraphic style is to be avoided, and an effort should be made to give as readable an account as possible without entering into unnecessary detail. When the history has been completed brief mention should be made of the absence of any symptoms which might have been expected to occur. For instance, if the history suggests cardio-vascular disease, the absence of such symptoms as dyspncea, palpitation, pain, etc. should be mentioned. - If, in the course of the present illness, the patient has been previously admitted to the London Hospital, a statement to this effect should be made. A synopsis of the findings on the previous admission must be made at the end of this case report, after the physical examination has been described. Previous health.—Any previous illnesses which might affect the subsequent health of the patient, or have an indirect bearing on the present illness, should be described. Those with a direct bearing on the present condition should be described in the history of the present illness, e. g., acute rheumatism in childhood and heart failure in adult life, or primary syphilis in youth and aortic aneurysm at the age of 60. The description should be in sufficient detail to indicate the possible after-effects. Other illnesses should merely be mentioned. The age of the patient at the time of any illness should be stated. Occupation.—The present occupation should be stated. The conditions of the present and previous occupations should be described if likely to have any bearing on the general health of the patient. Habits.—A brief account should be given of the kind of life the patient leads. Something should be said of his environment and circumstances. The consumption of alcohol and tobacco, and the regularity or otherwise of the bowels, should always
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