Pretendoscope
The cheap and non-functional piece of stethoscope-shaped plastic ceremonially bestowed to allow us to pretend we might actually hear something other than our own disappointment. Submitted by Sebastian Knudsen.
Topic
Touch
A collection of 19 issues
Butterfly Approach
The act of using extraordinary gentleness — a lightness of tone, touch, or language — when delivering something heavy. Submitted by Carole Morgan.
Digitdread
The uniquely awkward, surreal feeling of a finger somewhere undignified during an exam.
Coldprep
The chilling swab of antiseptic before a painful procedure.
Slartibartfast
Clotclick
The sticky sound when a clot finally clears from a suction tip.
Bleedline
The slow spread of red along gauze during a procedure, telling you more than the monitors do.
Woundwarm
The radiating heat of an infected wound under your gloved fingertips.