LOGICAL INFERENCES IN MEDICINE. WE KNOW THEM BUT FORGET TO UTILIZE THEM.

BILATERAL PROCESSES ARE GENERALLY SYSTEMIC AND A CORROLLARY DERIVED IS THAT UNILATERAL FINDINGS ARE USUALLY DUE TO LOCAL PROBLEMS.

FEVER IS DUE TO INFLAMMATION, NOT NECESSARILY INFECTION. e.g. GOUT/DVT/VASCULITIS/INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE. OTHER PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH FEVERS WITHOUT THE INFLAMMATION OR INFECTION ARE PONTINE HEMORRHAGE/HEAT STROKE.

BACTERIAL INFECTIONS ARE GENERALLY PRESENT WITH FOCAL SYMPTOMS, e.g. PHARYNGITIS DUE TO STREP CAUSES SORE THROAT BUT NOT A RUNNY NOSE, GLUTEAL ABSCESS CAUSES LOCAL PAIN. IMPORTANT EXCEPTIONS ARE. ENDOCARDITIS AND TB