This program was created to supplement the book What's in a Doctor's Bag? by Dr. Neil Shulman. The purpose of this program is to teach little kids about what a doctor does and why they shouldn't be scared of a doctor. Go into the local elementary schools and teach students fun and exciting facts about medicine. Perform a skit for the young students. Read "What's in a Doctor's Bag?" in their classroom. Give them prizes and healthy snacks. Help ease their fright of Doctors and Dentists.

Chapter 1

WHAT'S IN A DOCTOR'S BAG?

This book was written for the purpose of educating you about what doctors learn from conducting a physical examination of the human body so that you can play an active role with your physician, rather than a passive one often shrouded by mystique, anxiety and fear. Whether or not you've ever had a complete physical examination, this book can help you better understand your body and what doctors learn from their examining procedures.

In spite of the fact that our bodies are the very vehicles that get us around and through which we experience life, many people know or understand little about their bodies. The first line of defense against illness is an educated consumer who knows his or her body and is sensitive to any bodily changes that are not normal.

Almost without exception, every disease is characterized by certain physical findings. Thus, assessing the human body through the physical examination is of utmost importance to determine what is going on. While in today's world of high tech medicine the physical examination may seem to take a back seat to other types of exams and tests, a good physician will always complete a thorough physical examination before proceeding with any other tests.

The contents of this book will help explain to the reader what exactly is going on in the mind of the physician while she or he conducts the physical examination. The chapters in this book will explain, in simple terms, what the physician is looking at, listening to, and feeling or tapping on in the various parts of the patient's body.

In today's world, people want to know increasingly more about the things which pertain to their health. But with medical advances being made almost daily, people are being left further and further behind. Typically, there is a large communication gap between the physician and patient, since physicians speak in what is, to most, a foreign language. Countless patients are frustrated by the lack of understandable communication from their physicians about their problems and proposed treatment. Patients want to know what the doctor was thinking, what he or she learned from the examination, and why a particular course of treatment was prescribed.

The chapters in this book will explain the importance of the physical examination and which basic methods and instruments are used by the physician to examine the body. Each major organ system will be covered by a chapter. Interspersed throughout the book are interesting suggestions and experiments designed to challenge the reader to learn more about the human body by looking, listening, feeling, and tapping. At long last will be explained the use of those mysterious instruments contained in the doctor's black bag!

Becoming medically literate has its advantages. For example, did you know that if a person accidentally falls and injures his head, a simple examination that can be performed very quickly could possibly save his life? Indeed, when looking into this person's eyes, if one pupil is larger than the other, this could indicate that there may be serious brain injury. This person should be brought to an emergency room as soon as possible. Yet another example is one in which a person complains of a serious headache. If this individual cannot lower their head to touch their chest, she or he might have a disease called meningitis. This too is a condition that should receive immediate medical attention. Bringing this to a doctor's attention could result in starting intravenous antibiotics, a procedure which could save this person's life. Finally, do you know the symptoms of appendicitis? Which side of the body would this affect? More specifically, in which quadrant of the abdomen would one detect tenderness?

Don't be overly disturbed if, as a consequence of learning more about your body and the various diseases discussed in this book, you begin to feel you might have one of these illnesses. Chances are, you don't! As a matter of fact, you might be interested in learning that many medical students go through phases in which they become convinced they are ill with some of the diseases they are studying. In most cases, the student is only over-sensitive. Of course, if you do notice an abnormal finding, check with your doctor.

SO WHAT'S IN THE DOCTOR'S BAG?

The following is a brief description of the instruments included in the doctor's bag and what they are used for when examining the body.

The Ophthalmoscope: The ophthalmoscope is an optical instrument used for looking inside the eyes. It is made up of a system of lenses and mirrors that enables the doctor to see the various internal structures. A light source inside the instrument provides illumination. Through the regulation of different size openings in the instrument, the doctor can control the amount of light entering the eye. The lenses, with various powers of magnification, are used to bring the structures being examined into focus.

The Otoscope: The otoscope is an instrument used to examine the ear canal and ear drum. The speculum, which comes in various sizes, is placed in the ear canal. An attached glass plate serves as a viewing window and a magnifying glass. The otoscope and ophthalmoscope use the same base which serves as a handle and usually contains a battery to power the light source.

Stethoscope: The stethoscope is used for listening to sounds inside the body (eg: the heart, the lungs, and the bowels). Sound waves are transmitted along the rubber tubing of the stethoscope to the earpieces. The end piece has two components: one is called the diaphragm, which is flat, and the other has the shape of a bell. The diaphragm screens out low pitched sounds and transmits high pitched sounds. The bell endpiece utilizes the skin of the patient as a diaphragm. So, depending on the amount of pressure exerted by the doctor on the bell, the pitch of the sounds heard will vary. Generally, the bell is best for hearing low-pitched sounds.

Reflex Hammer: In examining the nervous system, the doctor uses the padded reflex hammer which has a pointed and a flat end. Gently striking various points on the body, the physician is able to test deep tendon reflexes.

Blood Pressure Cuff: The blood pressure cuff, when used along with the stethoscope, is utilized to measure a patient's blood pressure. The blood pressure instrument is made up of an inflatable cuff that is designed to go around an upper arm, a pressure meter, and a rubber hand bulb with a pressure control valve which is used to inflate and deflate the rubber cuff: After placing the cuff around the upper arm, the doctor inflates the cuff. As air exits the inflated cuff (released through the control valve), blood more easily passes through an artery that runs along the inside of the elbow. With the stethoscope in place, the doctor hears the blood pass through and records the blood pressure while observing the pressure meter.

Thermometer: Measurement of the body temperature provides important information as to the severity of a patient's illness. Mercury thermometers have long been used in taking temperatures by mouth, under the arm, or rectally. Today, modern technology has produced an electronic thermometer that can be used to measure the body temperature through the ear. Using infrared technology, a temperature reading is available in two seconds.

Tongue Depressor: The tongue depressor is used to look inside the mouth. Depressing the tongue and having the patient say "ahh" clears the view in back of the throat, enabling the doctor to inspect the tonsils and the back of the throat.

Chapter 2