11 Common Sense Medical Phrases There are hundreds of little sayings within medicine about dozens of topics. At first some of them sound extremely basic or stupid, but the all have a basis in fact. Medicine is made up of common sense. Here's a selection. I welcome additions.

• Knowledge is power.
• First do no harm.
• Masterful inactivity saves lives.
• The placebo effect has cured more people than any doctor.
• If it hurts, rest it or immobilize it.

 

• Always wash your hands before touching a patient.
• Its better to boil all your water, than die of diarrhea.
• Don't shit in the water you are going to drink (or let anyone else).
• A comfortable, warm bed fixes many problems, a good meal fixes many more.
• Direct pressure stops bleeding.
• Pretend you know what you are doing and people will believe you do.
• Don't stitch a dirty wound.
• Clean boiled water is a great antiseptic (So is urine but we won't start that one)
• If you've got a rash: If it's wet, dry it; if it's dry, wet it.
• 90% of problems get better by themselves.