HUMOR IN SERIOUS ARTICLES: This is an uncommon form of medical humor. When used, it is intended to catch a reader's attention or to emphasize a specific point in an article. Here's a classic example from the introduction to an article on hemorrhoidectomies:(25)
It (the sphincter ani) is like the goalie in hockey--always alert. It apparently can tell whether its owner is alone or with someone, whether standing up or sitting down, whether its owner has his pants on or off.... a muscle like that is worth protecting.
ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse? WITNESS: No. ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure? WITNESS: No. ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing? WITNESS: No. ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy? WITNESS: No. ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor? WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar. ATTORNEY: But could the patient have still been alive,nevertheless? WITNESS: Well, I guess it's possible he could be out practicing law somewhere.
