I read with interest the article ‘On aphorisms’1 in the December issue of the BJGP. I would echo Dr Shaw's view that these pithy sayings are useful in education and personal practice.
In the interest of correctly ascribing credit, I would like to point out that the aphorism relating to the five tumours that metastasise to bone can certainly be dated to earlier than he notes. I first heard this aphorism during the entertaining and useful pathology lectures by Dr Derek Roskell in the Oxford University clinical course in 2000. I wonder if any of your readers can date it any earlier?
- © British Journal of General Practice, 2010.
