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Re: Process of Elimination
Posted by:
Mark Goodson (IP Logged)
Date: April 22, 2014 08:42AM
The MDs refer to it as DD, or Differential Diagnosis. A well established tool used for sorting out what ails one.
For a TRUE "process of elimination"example
A 2 year old presents without ever having had a dirty diaper.
No bleeding - rule out Meckel's diverticulum, even though it is congenital
Toxicology screening negative - No drug use by Mom or reaction to delivery drugs which may slow down the peristalsis of the gut
Suction biopsy performed - few to no nerve cells (hypoganglionic or aganglionic) - kid has Hirschsprung disease...
In the above example, two conditions were ruled out by testing, while the third condition (Hirschsprung) was indicated by the DD, and confirmed by the biopsy.
As applied to a fire, POE usually (in my mind) would deal with a closed set - we KNOW what should be present - (TV Stereo Stove Toaster and can opener) However, if there is some outlier there, then issues can arise - the so called bird with a cigarette or a squirrel with its tail on fire.