Saturday, November 9, 2013

DR. G - MEDICAL EXAMINER: FIRST CASE OF HIV/AIDS IN THE UNITED STATES [MID-LATE 1960'S]

Most medical examiners in documentaries and forensics shows are very monotone and come across as too serious, but Dr. G is a likeable M.E., based in Orlando, Florida.  Some of her deceased patients are local and because Orlando is such a huge tourist attraction, had gotten in several visitors too (some vacationing from out of the country).  I've always said Dr. G knows her way around the morgue like grandma knows her way around the kitchen.

Dr. G's most IMO educational segment covers a past case which didn't involve her - the very first case of HIV/AIDS in the United States.  Contrary to what the so-called "moral majority" lied about nonstop in the early 80's, HIV didn't just come out of nowhere in the late 70's/early 80's AKA the "disco era".  The first case was in the mid-late 60's, to a young teenage male patient.  This "Rob" passed away shortly after the discovery of swollen parts of his body, and having severe flu-like symptoms.  Medical history in the making.

As always, I learn something new and interesting with Dr. G (like cyanide poisoning is easy to discover, with the smell of "bitter almonds" in the stomach during autopsy, as G explained), but I learned a little something extra in this segment.  I hope you're not squeamish! ;)


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