Weird science for Sherlock
Prompted by this comment from warriorbot.
One of the many enjoyable bits about writing Sherlock fanfic is the chance to refer to strange scientific studies I have come across. A number of them have already lurked (mostly unacknowledged) in my fics, so here is a brief list, where I can remember them.
(Alluded to in Ricochet and another forthcoming story)
Charles A. Morgan III, Gary Hazlett, Anthony Doran, Stephan Garrett, Gary Hoyt, Paul Thomas, Madelon Baranoski, Steven M. Southwick, Accuracy of eyewitness memory for persons encountered during exposure to highly intense stress, International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, Volume 27, Issue 3, May-June 2004, Pages 265-279, ISSN 0160-2527, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijlp.2004.03.004.
(Online here)
(Alluded to in Impure genius)
J. Philippe Rushton, Cranial capacity related to sex, rank, and race in a stratified random sample of 6,325 U.S. military personnel, Intelligence, Volume 16, Issues 3-4, July-December 1992, Pages 401-413, ISSN 0160-2896, DOI: 10.1016/0160-2896(92)90017-L.
(Online here)
(Alluded to in Resumé)
Clément, R., Redpath, M. and Sauvageau, A. (2010), Mechanism of Death in Hanging: A Historical Review of the Evolution of Pathophysiological Hypotheses. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 55: 1268-1271. doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01435.x
(Starring role in R v Holmes)
Tan M, Jones G, Zhu G, Ye J, Hong T, et al. 2009 Fellatio by Fruit Bats Prolongs Copulation Time. PLoS ONE 4(10): e7595. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0007595
(Alluded to in The Animal Inside)
Assorted studies on rat addiction, as discussed by Wikipedia.
However, there are many staggering scientific papers that have not yet received full appreciation from the fanfic community. Here are a couple more I have come across, but if anyone knows something else that Sherlock really ought to read, or that is begging to become a plot bunny, please give the details below (and ideally a link).
Int J Clin Pract. 2002 Sep;56(7):558-9.
Rectal salami.
Shah J, Majed A, Rosin D.
Academic Surgical Unit, St Mary's Hospital, London, UK.
Abstract
We present the case of a 63-year-old man who had inserted a salami into his anal canal for sexual stimulation--the commonest reason for inserting foreign bodies--and who subsequently required a laparotomy for its removal. This common surgical problem requires a thorough medical history, an examination and the use of radiographs for management. Current techniques for removal of such objects are discussed.
No Shinkei Geka. 1990 Feb;18(2):189-92.
[Skullbase-penetrating injuries caused by umbrella tips: case reports]
[Article in Japanese]
Tokitsu M, Nakamura M, Yokoyama H, Watanabe H, Hara M, Takeuchi K.
Department of Neurosurgery, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract
Two cases of skullbase-penetrating injuries caused by umbrella tips are reported. Case 1: 24-year-old male. Admitted with disturbance of consciousness, left hemiparesis, nasal bleeding, and laceration of left lower eyelid because of having been stabbed by an umbrella tip. Pupils and fundi revealed no definite findings. Plain skull X-ray showed turbid ethmoid sinus and fracture of planum sphenoidale. Cranial CT showed right putaminal hematoma with intraventricular hemorrhage and pneumocephalus. Increased ICP necessitated surgery two days after the injury. Dural laceration of planum sphnoidale, laceration of left optic nerve, right rectal gyrus contusion and rebleeding from the right lenticulostriate branch were observed. Dural plasty and removal of hematoma with external decompression were carried out. He had a good postoperative course, but left visual loss and left hemiparesis remained. Case 2: 29-year-old male. Admitted with excoriation of his right nostril because of having been stabbed by an umbrella tip, severe headache, and nasal discharge. Oculomotor palsy was observed as well as CSF rhinorrhea and meningeal irritability. Plain skull X-ray showed niveau in sphenoidal sinus, pneumocephalus, and fracture of sella turcica. His complaint disappeared after conservative therapy. We reviewed the literature and found only 4 similar cases. The skullbase, because of its anatomical character, is likely to be penetrated in orbital and periorbital injury caused by umbrella tips. Cases which include disturbance of consciousness have a poor prognosis. We hope the fact that umbrella tips can easily become life-threatening objects will come to the attention of the general public so that similar cases may be avoided.
One of the many enjoyable bits about writing Sherlock fanfic is the chance to refer to strange scientific studies I have come across. A number of them have already lurked (mostly unacknowledged) in my fics, so here is a brief list, where I can remember them.
(Alluded to in Ricochet and another forthcoming story)
Charles A. Morgan III, Gary Hazlett, Anthony Doran, Stephan Garrett, Gary Hoyt, Paul Thomas, Madelon Baranoski, Steven M. Southwick, Accuracy of eyewitness memory for persons encountered during exposure to highly intense stress, International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, Volume 27, Issue 3, May-June 2004, Pages 265-279, ISSN 0160-2527, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijlp.2004.03.004.
(Online here)
(Alluded to in Impure genius)
J. Philippe Rushton, Cranial capacity related to sex, rank, and race in a stratified random sample of 6,325 U.S. military personnel, Intelligence, Volume 16, Issues 3-4, July-December 1992, Pages 401-413, ISSN 0160-2896, DOI: 10.1016/0160-2896(92)90017-L.
(Online here)
(Alluded to in Resumé)
Clément, R., Redpath, M. and Sauvageau, A. (2010), Mechanism of Death in Hanging: A Historical Review of the Evolution of Pathophysiological Hypotheses. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 55: 1268-1271. doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01435.x
(Starring role in R v Holmes)
Tan M, Jones G, Zhu G, Ye J, Hong T, et al. 2009 Fellatio by Fruit Bats Prolongs Copulation Time. PLoS ONE 4(10): e7595. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0007595
(Alluded to in The Animal Inside)
Assorted studies on rat addiction, as discussed by Wikipedia.
However, there are many staggering scientific papers that have not yet received full appreciation from the fanfic community. Here are a couple more I have come across, but if anyone knows something else that Sherlock really ought to read, or that is begging to become a plot bunny, please give the details below (and ideally a link).
Int J Clin Pract. 2002 Sep;56(7):558-9.
Rectal salami.
Shah J, Majed A, Rosin D.
Academic Surgical Unit, St Mary's Hospital, London, UK.
Abstract
We present the case of a 63-year-old man who had inserted a salami into his anal canal for sexual stimulation--the commonest reason for inserting foreign bodies--and who subsequently required a laparotomy for its removal. This common surgical problem requires a thorough medical history, an examination and the use of radiographs for management. Current techniques for removal of such objects are discussed.
No Shinkei Geka. 1990 Feb;18(2):189-92.
[Skullbase-penetrating injuries caused by umbrella tips: case reports]
[Article in Japanese]
Tokitsu M, Nakamura M, Yokoyama H, Watanabe H, Hara M, Takeuchi K.
Department of Neurosurgery, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract
Two cases of skullbase-penetrating injuries caused by umbrella tips are reported. Case 1: 24-year-old male. Admitted with disturbance of consciousness, left hemiparesis, nasal bleeding, and laceration of left lower eyelid because of having been stabbed by an umbrella tip. Pupils and fundi revealed no definite findings. Plain skull X-ray showed turbid ethmoid sinus and fracture of planum sphenoidale. Cranial CT showed right putaminal hematoma with intraventricular hemorrhage and pneumocephalus. Increased ICP necessitated surgery two days after the injury. Dural laceration of planum sphnoidale, laceration of left optic nerve, right rectal gyrus contusion and rebleeding from the right lenticulostriate branch were observed. Dural plasty and removal of hematoma with external decompression were carried out. He had a good postoperative course, but left visual loss and left hemiparesis remained. Case 2: 29-year-old male. Admitted with excoriation of his right nostril because of having been stabbed by an umbrella tip, severe headache, and nasal discharge. Oculomotor palsy was observed as well as CSF rhinorrhea and meningeal irritability. Plain skull X-ray showed niveau in sphenoidal sinus, pneumocephalus, and fracture of sella turcica. His complaint disappeared after conservative therapy. We reviewed the literature and found only 4 similar cases. The skullbase, because of its anatomical character, is likely to be penetrated in orbital and periorbital injury caused by umbrella tips. Cases which include disturbance of consciousness have a poor prognosis. We hope the fact that umbrella tips can easily become life-threatening objects will come to the attention of the general public so that similar cases may be avoided.