Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

A patient whose care requires a stay in a hospital. As opposed to an outpatient. The term inpatient dates back to at least 1760. The case of an inpatient was referred to an incase.

Affecting the force of muscle contraction. An inotropic heart drug is one that affects the force with which the heart muscle contracts. Ionotropic can be negative or positive.

The nerve supply, usually to a specific part of the body. The innervation of the cornea is dense.

Harm or hurt. To harm, hurt, or wound. The word injure may be in physical or emotional sense. From the Latin injuria meaning injury.

Having to do with the groin.

In medicine, to introduce a solution into the body through a vein. An infusion is the therapeutic introduction of a fluid other than blood into a vein. The infused fluid might, for example, be a saline (salt) solution.

The process by which a patient learns about and understands the purpose, benefits, and potential risks of a medical or surgical intervention, including clinical trials, and then agrees to receive the treatment or participate in the trial. Informed consent generally requires the patient or responsible party to sign a statement confirming that they understand the risks and…

Influenza is an acute respiratory illness caused by influenza A or B viruses Most people who get the influenza recover completely in 1 to 2 weeks, but some people develop serious and potentially life-threatening medical complications, such as pneumonia. Much of the illness and death caused by influenza can be prevented by annual influenza vaccination.

A fundamental type of response by the body to disease and injury, a response characterized by the classical signs of “dolor, calor, rubor, and tumor” — pain, heat (localized warmth), redness, and swelling. Innumerable insults (a mosquito bite, a splinter, a virus infection, a bruise, a broken bone) can trigger an inflammatory response and dispatch cells and chemicals to the…

A localized reaction that produces redness, warmth, swelling, and pain as a result of infection, irritation, or injury. Inflammation can be external or internal.