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The Busy PT's Guide to Finding Balance

Old Wives’ Tales

Published September 9, 2009 11:49 AM by Janey Goude
"Don't believe that.  It's just an old wives' tale."  Live long enough and you'll see those old wives weren't just spinning tales, some stories contain at least a scintilla of truth. 

Arthur Itis is an excellent meteorologist.

I never used to believe this one.  Then I worked in home health.  I quit watching the news and began asking my patients for the next day's weather forecast.  They were far more accurate!  Now that I'm clicking off decades quicker than Superman can leap tall buildings, I may go apply for the weatherman's job myself.

Teething causes fever and diarrhea.

I didn't believe this one either.  How can a tooth coming in cause a fever or diarrhea?  Yet, the empirical evidence it there.  I've seen it in my own kids.  Turns out teething causes excess saliva that can have an effect on both ends of that poor baby.  Something in the additional saliva creates loose and acidic stools.  Not only is it messy, but it tears up their little hineys.  At the other end, the saliva can back up into the Eustachian Tubes.  Add a little bacteria and voila!  Instant ear infection with, you guessed it, that infamous teething fever.

In life, or in the clinic, when you see something happen over and over again, don't discount it because it doesn't make sense.  Research it from every angle until you unlock the mystery.  Happy sleuthing!

3 comments

Thanks for the comments!  

Rick, I mean, Mr. Gardner, how is it a Chem teacher knows so much about grammar :-)  Did you know I nearly degreed in Chem to be a lab rat?  That was my favorite subject in school.  But a chem lab wouldn't have prepared me for four kids!  PT was much better for that.  On second thought, I might be a millionaire by now--maybe I could have figured out how to bottle their energy.  Nope, that would have required physics...like to failed physics.

Darlyn, I'd love to hear some of those tales!

If there is anyone else who'd like to share their favorite old wives' tale, we're reading.  And we're not picky.  Feel free to share old tales from wives, or tales told by old wives, or old tales told by old wives.

Janey Goude September 16, 2009 4:28 PM

I love remembering the tales my mother told me that now I am thinking, she was so right.  

Darlyn, Insurance September 9, 2009 3:47 PM
Lugoff SC

Isn't the term "old wives' tale" a classic example of a misplaced modifier: is the tale an "old tale" or are the wives "old wives"? The last paragraph sounds as though we should always use the "scientific method of investigation"; I guess you did learn a few things from me in Chemistry I and Chemistry II classes Jane! Take care and God bless you and your family.

Rick

Rick Gardner September 9, 2009 3:21 PM
Monroe OH

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