Scatological Humor Among Docs

In searching PubMed to verify a reference to a medical journal article cited in an article on how to treat hemorrhoids, I came across an article title that proves that physicians do indeed have a sense of humor:

Diseases of the Colon and Rectum. 1988 Apr;31(4):303–5.

"Piles of Defeat: Napoleon at Waterloo"

Welling DR, Wolff BG, Dozois RR. Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Major events of history have frequently turned on seemingly trivial matters. One such situation involves Napoleon Bonaparte at Waterloo. Napoleon was not feeling well on the day of the battle of Waterloo, despite fighting well at Ligny, a few days before the last, dramatic June 18 battle. There is considerable indication that Napoleon was bothered by very painful thrombosed hemorrhoids. Did this affect his generalship that day? What is the evidence that Napoleon was afflicted with thrombosed hemorrhoids? What contribution could this factor have made to the French defeat at Waterloo?

Why, yes, my work is fun!



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