Batman: The Dark Knight #15: The Medical Wrap-Up

Wrapping up my medical review of Batman: The Dark Knight #15 with a few last thoughts: Scarecrow’s new super fear toxin is distilled from the sweat of frightened children, a clever, if somewhat morbid, concept. According to the Bat-Computer, it contains adrenalin (the main chemical behind the fight-or-flight response), cortisol (a steroid hormone released by the adrenal glands as a response to stress), and androstadienone (a breakdown product of testosterone, said to be a human pheromone). While Batman is off spraying his blood across Gotham City, Alfred is monitoring various vital signs. “Tachycardia, blood pressure dropping”. As blood loss occurs, the heart rate speeds up (tachycardia) and blood pressure falls. “Peripheral hypoperfusion, delayed capillary refill.” As more blood is lost, the body tries to keep the remaining blood near the vital organs at the expense of the limbs – hence the lack of blood flow (hypoperfusion) to the extremities (or periphery, if you will). If you’ve ever gone to the doctor and she gently squeezes your finger over the nail and then watches how quickly the red color returns, she is checking capillary refill. It should be nearly instantaneous in a healthy person. As blood flow to the extremities decreases, it takes more time for capillary refill to occur. (What’s funny to me is that this means there must be some machine on the batplane periodically squeezing Batman’s fingers – under his gloves – to...
Source: Polite Dissent - Category: Family Physicians Authors: Tags: newtag Source Type: blogs