THE HUMAN BODY

These days I've been more or less forced into thinking a lot about the structure of the human body. Whoever or whatever designed this piece of equipment did a marvelous job considering it was probably designed without the use of computers as it would be had it been done today.

I’ve read that there are more than 200 different bones in the human body and they work together using what seems to me a very complex system of levers, cables, hinges, pulleys and various other devices. At first glance it would seem amazing if it worked at all.

I wonder how many models were tested and failed before one worked successfully. I’ve read the Wright Brothers failed over and over before they made a machine that actually flew. It now seems fairly simple to make something fly and compared to making the human body work, flying would seem to be child’s play. Yet there seems to be little information available about how many failures the designer had before a human body was made to work in an acceptable fashion.

All in all, most human bodies seem to work fairly well though I question the designers choice of material for the framework. Perhaps at that time some sort of calcified mineral was the only material available to use for bones. Probably things like titanium hadn’t been discovered yet. That’s too bad because a human body with a skeleton made of titanium bones would be both light weight and strong so if a body happened to trip over something in a parking lot there would probably be no harm done at all.

Still, all in all, I tip my hat to the designer. After all, how many other things do we know where the original design is still being produced using the original equipment and methods?

The OldProfessor

Carmel, CA

June 30, 2010

MEMORIES OF MY VACATION

Many people take pictures of their adventures in order to be able to recall pleasant memories. Well, my memories aren't all that pleasant but I do have an image to refresh my memory of my recent hip adventure. (If you don't know what that means please see previous blog.)

Below is the x-ray showing the hunk of stainless steel that was inserted into my right leg. As I understand it, the surgeon cut off the end of the existing (and broken) hip bone and replaced it with this steel device. This picture was taken as I was on my back and the repair job was to my right hip but as you see it, it's on the left. The white color is the stainless steel.

I questioned the surgeon as to how they aligned it accurately and he told me they have jigs that take care of the alignment and so forth. He also told me another interesting thing. The steel insert is porous so as the bone grows it becomes part of the insert.

So, this is my memory of my vacation and even though it may not be for everyone, I'm happy to share it with you.

The OldProfessor

Carmel, CA

June 27, 2010

THAT WAS FUN -- NOT!!

It seems like eons ago but on May 26th I tripped over something in a store parking lot and broke my right hip. Surgery followed the next day after which I moved into a Rehab House and spent almost 4 weeks there relearning to stand up, walk and other exotic things of that ilk.

On June 22, just four days short of a month, I arrived back home using a 4-wheel walker to get around. With a bunch of determination and a whole lot of pain I am now walking relying heavily on a cane. Walking normally and without pain seems a long way down the road but I am promised it is on the horizon if I work at it, which I will certainly do. I don't want to spend the second half of my life limping around.

Several of you have written sort of suggesting that I was missed and that feels good. Though I am a long way from being 100%, I am working at it and soon will be back at this place with my usual opinionated -- whatever.

Though it is difficult, I do see one bight side to this. I now have a bunch of new adventures to share with you. Hopefully some of them may discourage someone from trying to emulate the swan dive I took.

So, as another old timer once said, "I shall return." To which I add, "And soon." Thanks for waiting.

The Old Professor

Carmel, CA

June 24, 2010