Tom James wrote:
>
> Regarging Mike Wells's posting:
>
> >What about 'lead swinger'. I have no idea of the origin of the term,
> >but it is widely used and understood. If you like, I could no doubt
> >get it translated into Latin, something on the lines of
> >'Plumboscillator'
> >
> Many GP-UK-er's I'm sure will also be able to contribute on the origin of
> "Lead Swinger", It's a nautical term regarding a lazy crew member who
> readily takes soundings of the bottome of the ocean by swinging the lead on
> a line to measure the depth, rather than actually climb the rigging or swab
> the decks or do some real hard and hazardous work.
>
> It's interesting to see the concept of "Domino Syndrome". The image I've
> been carrying around in my head for years is of "Ailment Juggling", with the
> ailments being juggled in slow-motion. And just as you are about to come to
> grips with it, and deprive the patient of the
> patient-with-and-interesting-incurable-disease status, it suddenly ceases to
> be important, and the next interesting disease is tossed into the air. Only
> three ailments are required to keep a large GP partnership and all of the
> departments of a district general hospital on their toes.
>
> Best wishes
>
> Tom James
>
> Greetings from Poverty Bay NZ
>
> [log in to unmask]
The origin is of interest.
My former partner (now retired, and keen boatie/yachtsman from the South
of England) often discussed the "plumbum oscillans". It certainly seemed
to be a UK "problem". It is not so much of a problem here in NZ either
(a) in reality or (b) perceptually.
(a) Because they have to pay a full fee to see us (albeit sometimes
subsidised by Govt if on a Community Card) the demand by the oscillators
is controllable (controlled?) and
(b) Because they pay us money, "the customer is always right" (How
_could_ we forget?)
Jon Wilcox
Auckland
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