Something I've been meaning to do for a while...

[dreamflower]

In 2004, I posted a story at SoA, a Pippin h/c, called "The Dare". It was pretty well recieved, but something about it had bothered me for a long time, and now, thanks to surgicalsteel I've been able to fix it...

surgicalsteel has made most of us aware that the fanon concept of "stroking the throat" of an unconscious person not only would not work, but would actually be dangerous. And that fic had my one and only use of that particular bit of misinformation. Thanks to SS's good advice, I was able to go in and fix it. And best of all, I just had to change one sentence! I was so afraid I'd have to make a bunch of other changes to fix it!

It's really an easy fix, and I am very pleased now to have that off my mind!

Comments

[gentlehobbit.livejournal.com]

Heeeee... Aren't we lucky to have SS around to keep us on the straight and narrow? Thank goodness you only had one sentence to deal with!

[dreamflower]

I know! If I'd realized how easy it would be, I'd've done it long ago!

SS Rocks!

[surgicalsteel.livejournal.com]

Hee. There was a gang of us in med school that used to get together on Friday nights and study. We'd stop at 11PM, 'cause ST:TNG came on at that time. Picture four sleep-deprived grossly overeducated people screaming at the television, "Beverly, you idiot, it's in the f***ing thymus!"

:D

[aspenjules.livejournal.com]

How nice that it only took changing one sentence to fix it!

Hmmm, I'm not sure I've ever actually read that one. I may have to go find it and check it out...

[dreamflower]

Yes, that was nice!

Here's the link:
The Dare
http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=2399

[aspenjules.livejournal.com]

LOL - you're too late. I've already read, enjoyed and reviewed.

[dreamflower]

Yes, I saw! Thanks ever so! I'm glad you enjoyed!

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

whew, it's nice to have a doctor on board, isn't it? ;-) *grins*

[dreamflower]

Yes it is, especially one so sweet and obliging!

[grey-wonderer.livejournal.com]

It's dead useful having someone with medical knowledge about the place. I don't think I've used that device but I am certain that I need to correct more than a few of my stories for medical issues.

[dreamflower]

Well, it's a lot more painless than I thought it would be! And she is quite useful, isn't she? *grin*

[shirebound]

Some throats just need to be stroked, though.

[dreamflower]

Well, I suppose--but not to make him swallow! We wouldn't want to asphyxiate him--it's his *eyes* that are supposed to be blue, not his face! LOL!

[pearltook1]

LOL LOL LOL

This comment brought a much needed laugh!

Very true, we don't want Frodo Smurf!

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

I've read many a story which uses this and it always makes me want to scream as some impressionable youngsters might believe it and one day try it.I learned basic first aid in the Brownies many years ago and one of the first rules was never to try to make an unconcious person swallow anything.
Good for you changing it as I've tried pointing out the error to various writers only to be told off for doing so!

[dreamflower]

Well, you should point them in the direction of Surgical Steel, and she will definitely explain that!

The funny thing about that fic, is I did so much research for most of it, yet I never questioned that fanon convention! I was really embarrassed when I realized what I'd done!

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I will point them to Surgical Steel in future as she is a doctor and therefore knows for certain!

[surgicalsteel.livejournal.com]

*waves hello*

Hee. I usually just hit the back button when I run across things that are really egregious - although dreamflower02 and shirebound want me to write an essay of commonly encountered medical errors and how to avoid them.

But I'm happy to play medical beta - especially if it means more good fic to read.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

hello there. That would be a great idea.
It always troubles me that if something is said often enough,people come to believe it maybe with dire consequences. For example,a teenager with a friend who collapes unconcious when drunk and tries to force black coffee down her throat or something!

[lindelea1.livejournal.com]

Yes, you really ought to write that essay and post it to SoA for the rest of us amateurs!

[surgicalsteel.livejournal.com]

That would mean I'd actually have to read the stuff instead of hitting the back button, though. Hm. Perhaps I'll challenge people to find stuff for me.

[lindelea1.livejournal.com]

Actually, stroking the throat does sort of work... if you're getting a dog (or sometimes a cat) to swallow a pill.

However, I wouldn't expect that to extend to an unconscious person.

But now you make me want to go back and read "The Dare" again. But it's bedtime, so if I go back and read it now I'm going to be up later than I wanted. OTOH, don't put off until tomorrow... (I forget the rest of that quote, what is it?)

[surgicalsteel.livejournal.com]

*bows* My pleasure!

[dreamflower]

*applauds* and *grins*

Thanks again, hon!

[surgicalsteel.livejournal.com]

Hah, I should send you off to find more medical errors for me to work on. :D

[dreamflower]

Hmm...I could probably spot some that are obvious, and I might could point you to a few that are suspect--but only you would know for sure if they *were* mistakes.

What about the one we discussed about colds/pneumonia the other day? And that one fic that suggested women and children were more susceptible to something contagious that you noticed not long ago. Hmmm...*scratches head*

Maybe I *will* find some for you...*grin*

[ceshaughnessy.livejournal.com]

Cool, I'll have to check it out - I've always liked that story!