The 3PPS Test

How to do it: Visual examination of the proximal phalanx of the third "ring" finger of the left ("sinister") hand.

Possible findings - documentation:
1. Nil.
2. Ring - describe ring.
3. Ring callus - note.


The upshot is that my frequent failure to perform this simple task has resulted in mockery from my physical diagnosis comrades,

Tofu Cube... OF DEATH!!!

I had a charming case of food poisoning last quarter, which I was able to (thanks to Medical Micro) identify as heat stable staph toxin. I don't want to go into it now, but at the time, I asked my friends who had been at the same restaurant if anyone had the same symptoms, and a friend wrote back that she can't get food poisoning since she doesn't eat any meat.

Contra that, today I noticed a report in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports, and they talk about this Chinese couple that got botulism from their fermented tofu.

Anyway, I have extracted below the recipe for TOFU OF DOOM.

The tofu was a commercially packaged product purchased at a retail market. In the home, the tofu was boiled, towel dried, and cut into cubes. The cubes were placed in a bowl, covered with plastic wrap, and stored at room temperature for 10--15 days. The tofu was then transferred to glass jars with chili powder, salt, white cooking wine, vegetable oil, and chicken bouillon to marinate at room temperature for 2--3 more days. Finally, the fermented tofu was stored and eaten at room temperature.


*
Note that I cite MMWR below.

After I dressed this morning...

C: You look like you're going clubbing.
I: Not so much, but I am going to go study clubbing.

The image to the side is of clubbing - bony expansion of the tips of the fingers caused by long-term lack of oxygen, e.g. that caused by smoking or other lung damage.