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Medicine

Science 2,688 clues
Practice Medicine

Overview

Medicine is a substantial Jeopardy! topic with roughly 2,146 clues and 29 Final Jeopardy appearances. It's slightly DJ-heavy (1,133 DJ vs 984 J clues), meaning the show treats it as accessible general knowledge in the Jeopardy round while reserving tougher terminology and medical history for Double Jeopardy.

The category breakdown includes "MEDICINE" (504 clues), "HEALTH & MEDICINE" (324), "SICKNESS & HEALTH" (244), "FIRST AID" (67), "PLAYING DOCTOR" (30), "DOCTORS" (30), "DISEASES" (30), "VETERINARY MEDICINE" (25), "SURGERY" (25), "FAMOUS DOCTORS" (21), "LITERARY DOCTORS" (20), and "TV DOCTORS" (17). The answer pool is dominated by diseases and conditions, diabetes, tuberculosis, anemia, asthma, polio, hepatitis, and chicken pox all appear eight or more times. Medical pioneers and anatomy terms round out the top tier.

The gimmes (100% correct): diabetes (~12 clues), Hippocrates (~12 clues), cholesterol (~11 clues), the heart (~9 clues), smallpox (~7 clues), arthritis (~7 clues), penicillin (~6 clues), blood pressure (~6 clues), Dr. Spock (~7 clues), Doctor Zhivago (~6 clues), sickle cell anemia, rabies, osteoporosis, meningitis, insulin, gout, dialysis, calcium, aspirin, a stethoscope.

The stumper zone: anthrax (~6 clues, 83% wrong; the #1 medicine stumper by far), the kidney (50% wrong), measles (50%), scurvy (43%), yellow fever (40%), frostbite (33%), chicken pox (29%), acupuncture (29%), hepatitis (25%), anemia (22%), the thyroid (20%), the eyes (20%), a tourniquet (20%), a thermometer (20%), a compound fracture (20%).

Study strategy: Start with diseases: they dominate the answer pool, and knowing each disease's etymology covers both regular clues and FJ. Next, learn the medical pioneers chronologically (Hippocrates through Oliver Sacks), since recent FJ clues favor this angle. Then master anatomy prefixes and body systems. Finally, drill the stumpers: anthrax, kidneys, and measles trip up contestants far more than expected.


Diseases & Conditions

Diseases dominate the Medicine answer pool, roughly half the top 30 answers are specific conditions. Learning key facts, etymology, and historical context for each is the highest-return study investment.

The Heavy Hitters (10+ appearances)

Diabetes (~12 clues · 100% correct), The ultimate gimme. Clues reference type 1 (juvenile, autoimmune), type 2 (adult-onset, insulin resistance), and gestational diabetes. From the Greek for "to pass through," referring to excessive urination. "Diabetes mellitus" means "honey-sweet" physicians once diagnosed it by tasting urine. Frederick Banting and Charles Best isolated insulin in 1921.

Tuberculosis (~10 clues · 89% correct), Known historically as "consumption." Robert Koch identified the bacillus in 1882 (Nobel Prize, 1905). Keats, the Brontes, Chopin, and Chekhov all suffered from it. Clues frequently test the consumption-to-tuberculosis name connection.

Anemia (~10 clues · 78% correct), Deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin. Key varieties: pernicious (B12 deficiency), aplastic (bone marrow failure), and sickle cell (100% correct as its own answer). From the Greek "anaimia" "without blood."

Watch out: Anemia has a 22% stumper rate. Symptom-based clues (fatigue, pallor) without mentioning blood trip contestants up.

High-Frequency Diseases (7-9 appearances)

Asthma (~9 clues · 88% correct), Chronic respiratory condition. From the Greek "azein" meaning "to pant." Theodore Roosevelt suffered from childhood asthma. Clues test etymology or describe wheezing.

Polio (~8 clues · 86% correct), Poliomyelitis, from Greek for "gray marrow." Jonas Salk's vaccine (1955, injected killed virus); Albert Sabin's oral vaccine followed. FDR was diagnosed in 1921 and founded the March of Dimes. Iron lungs were the iconic treatment.

Hepatitis (~8 clues · 75% correct), Liver inflammation, from Greek "hepar" (liver) + "-itis." Types A (fecal-oral), B (blood/fluid), D (requires B co-infection). The liver connection is the essential anchor, "hepa-" always means liver.

Watch out: 25% stumper rate. Clues describing liver inflammation without saying "liver" are where contestants falter.

Chicken pox (~8 clues · 71% correct), Caused by varicella-zoster virus. The same virus reactivated later causes shingles (herpes zoster). Vaccine available since 1995.

Watch out: 29% stumper rate. The varicella-to-shingles connection is the tricky angle.

Smallpox (~7 clues · 100% correct), A gimme and FJ favorite (2 appearances). Jenner's 1796 cowpox experiment gave us the word "vaccine" (Latin "vacca" = cow). Last natural case: Somalia, 1977. WHO eradicated it in 1980; the only human disease ever fully eradicated.

Malaria (~7 clues · 86% correct) ("Bad air" (Italian "mala aria")) people blamed swamp vapors. Actually caused by Plasmodium parasites via Anopheles mosquitoes. Quinine from cinchona bark was the historic treatment; and why tonic water was invented.

Glaucoma (~7 clues · 86% correct), Eye conditions damaging the optic nerve via elevated pressure. From Greek "glaukos" ("gleaming/bluish-green"). Leading cause of irreversible blindness.

Arthritis (~7 clues · 100% correct), A gimme. Joint inflammation, from Greek "arthron" (joint) + "-itis." Osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear) vs. rheumatoid (autoimmune).

Scurvy (~7 clues · 57% correct), Vitamin C deficiency. British sailors called "limeys" for the citrus mandate. James Lind's 1747 experiment was one of the first controlled medical trials.

Watch out: 43% stumper rate. Symptom clues without sailor/vitamin C context trip people up.

Other Key Diseases (5-6 appearances)

Whooping cough (~6 clues · 83% correct), Also pertussis ("thorough cough"). DPT/DTaP vaccine covers diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus.

Anthrax (~6 clues · 17% correct), The #1 stumper in all of Medicine (83% wrong). Caused by spore-forming Bacillus anthracis; primarily affects livestock. From Greek "anthrakis" (coal); the black skin lesions. Koch's anthrax work helped establish germ theory. Gained notoriety from 2001 letter attacks.

Watch out: If a clue mentions livestock disease, spores, coal-black lesions, or Koch's early experiments, think anthrax immediately.

Measles (~6 clues · 50% correct), MMR vaccine covers measles, mumps, and rubella. One of the most transmissible diseases known. Wakefield's fraudulent 1998 MMR-autism study was retracted.

Frostbite (~6 clues · 67% correct), Tissue damage from freezing. The 33% stumper rate comes from clues without cold-weather context.

Etymology Patterns

  • Greek roots dominate: diabetes ("to pass through"), anemia ("without blood"), asthma ("to pant"), arthritis ("joint inflammation"), glaucoma ("gleaming"), malaria (Italian, "bad air")
  • "-itis" = inflammation: arthritis, hepatitis, bronchitis, appendicitis, meningitis
  • "-osis" = condition: tuberculosis, osteoporosis, sclerosis, thrombosis
  • "-emia" = blood condition: anemia, leukemia, septicemia
  • Latin "vacca" (cow): vaccine, from Jenner's cowpox experiment
  • Greek "anthrakis" (coal): anthrax, from the black lesions

Medical Pioneers & Discoveries

Medical pioneers are the second most important area after diseases. They dominate Final Jeopardy and appear across all value levels.

The Ancient World

Hippocrates (~12 clues · 100% correct), A gimme alongside diabetes. "Father of Medicine," born on the Greek island of Cos around 460 BC. The Hippocratic Oath is traditionally taken by new physicians; "First, do no harm" is the famous principle (though this exact phrase doesn't appear in the original oath). He separated medicine from superstition, insisting diseases had natural causes. Clues nearly always reference his title or the oath.

Galen, Roman-era physician (129-216 AD) whose theories dominated Western medicine for 1,300 years. His anatomical errors went unchallenged until Vesalius in the Renaissance.

The Vaccine Revolution

Edward Jenner (FJ answer), In 1796, inoculated 8-year-old James Phipps with cowpox material, demonstrating smallpox immunity. Introduced "vaccine" in 1798 from Latin "vacca" (cow). Sometimes called the "Father of Immunology." Key details for Jeopardy: cowpox, 1796-1798, the word "vaccine," smallpox eradication.

Jonas Salk (FJ answer), First effective polio vaccine (1955, inactivated virus). Famously refused to patent it: "Could you patent the sun?" Albert Sabin later developed the oral vaccine for global eradication.

Louis Pasteur, Crosses into Medicine through the rabies vaccine (1885) and germ theory. Pasteurization is named for him.

Antiseptic & Surgical Pioneers

Joseph Lister (FJ answer), Pioneered antiseptic surgery in the 1860s using carbolic acid, inspired by Pasteur's germ theory. Listerine mouthwash is named after him (no involvement). Transformed surgery from a last resort into viable practice.

William Morton, Demonstrated ether anesthesia at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1846 ("Ether Day"). Crawford Long used ether earlier (1842) but didn't publish.

Modern Medical Figures

Sigmund Freud (FJ answer), Austrian neurologist who founded psychoanalysis. Introduced the id/ego/superego, Oedipus complex, and free association. Fled Vienna for London in 1938.

Oliver Sacks (FJ answer, including 2025), British-American neurologist and author of "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat" (1985) and "Awakenings" (1973, adapted into a 1990 Robin Williams film). A 2025 FJ answer, suggesting the show is refreshing its medical pioneer pool.

Dr. Benjamin Spock (~7 clues · 100% correct), A gimme. "The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care" (1946) was one of the century's best-sellers. He told parents to trust their instincts, radical for its era. Not to be confused with Mr. Spock from Star Trek.

Dr. Lamaze (FJ answer), French obstetrician who popularized natural childbirth breathing techniques. "Lamaze classes" became standard for expectant parents.

Kenneth Cooper (FJ answer), Coined "aerobics" in his 1968 book. The word comes from Greek for "with oxygen."

Literary & Fictional Doctors

Doctor Zhivago (~6 clues · 100% correct), A gimme. Pasternak's 1957 novel about a physician-poet during the Russian Revolution. The 1965 David Lean film starred Omar Sharif. Pasternak was forced to decline the Nobel Prize.

Doctor Dolittle, Hugh Lofting's physician who talks to animals. The 1967 film and Eddie Murphy adaptations are common clue angles.

Other frequently tested fictional doctors: Dr. Frankenstein (he's the doctor, not the monster), Dr. Jekyll, Dr. Watson (medical doctor and Holmes's companion), Dr. No, Dr. Kildare, Marcus Welby M.D., and Grey's Anatomy/House references.


Anatomy & Body Systems

Anatomy clues test organs, body systems, and their medical specialists. The key study angle is the Greek and Latin prefixes connecting organs to specialties.

Most-Tested Organs

The heart (~9 clues · 100% correct), A gimme. A cardiologist treats it; dextrocardia puts it on the right side; a defibrillator restores rhythm. Four chambers (two atria, two ventricles), the aorta is the largest artery. "Cardio-" is one of the most-tested prefixes in medicine.

The kidney (~6 clues · 50% correct), A major stumper. Nephrology is the specialty. Dialysis filters blood when kidneys fail. Kidney stones are renal calculi. Adrenal glands sit atop them ("ad-renal" = near the kidney).

Watch out: 50% stumper rate for a major organ. Clues using "nephro-" or "renal" without saying "kidney" trip contestants up.

The appendix (~6 clues · 83% correct), The vermiform ("worm-shaped") appendix attaches to the cecum. Appendicitis requires appendectomy. Once considered vestigial; may actually harbor beneficial gut bacteria.

The thyroid (~5 clues · 80% correct), Butterfly-shaped neck gland regulating metabolism. Hypothyroidism (underactive) vs. hyperthyroidism (overactive). A goiter is an enlarged thyroid from iodine deficiency, why iodine is added to salt.

Watch out: 20% stumper rate when clues describe the butterfly shape without naming the gland.

The eyes / retina, An ophthalmologist treats eye diseases. Cataracts (lens clouding) and glaucoma are the most-tested conditions. "Cataract" comes from Latin for "waterfall" a Final Jeopardy fact.

Watch out: 20% stumper rate when clues test specific anatomy (retina, cornea, iris) rather than "the eyes."

The pancreas, Produces insulin (islets of Langerhans) and digestive enzymes. The diabetes crossover makes this a bridge between anatomy and disease clues.

Medical Prefixes & Specialties

Prefix Body Part Specialist
cardio- heart cardiologist
derma- skin dermatologist
neuro- nervous system neurologist
osteo- bone orthopedist
ophthalmo- eye ophthalmologist
nephro- kidney nephrologist
hepato- liver hepatologist
pulmo- lung pulmonologist
gastro- stomach/GI gastroenterologist
oto- ear otolaryngologist (ENT)
rhino- nose rhinoplasty (nose job)
hemo- blood hematologist

Key suffix patterns: - "-itis" = inflammation: appendicitis, arthritis, hepatitis, meningitis - "-ectomy" = surgical removal: appendectomy, tonsillectomy, mastectomy - "-oscopy" = viewing inside: colonoscopy, endoscopy, laparoscopy - "-ology" = study of: cardiology, neurology, oncology, pathology - "-plasty" = reshaping: rhinoplasty (nose), angioplasty (vessels)

These patterns are extraordinarily high-yield. A single clue might combine them: "A nephrectomy is the surgical removal of this organ" (the kidney).


Medical Terms & Treatments

Beyond diseases and anatomy, Medicine clues test treatments, diagnostic tools, vital signs, and first aid. This section covers the practical side of medicine.

Landmark Treatments & Drugs

Penicillin (~6 clues · 100% correct), A gimme. Alexander Fleming discovered it in 1928 when mold (Penicillium notatum) killed bacteria in a petri dish. Florey and Chain developed it for WWII use. All three shared the 1945 Nobel Prize. The first widely used antibiotic.

Insulin (~5 clues · 100% correct), A gimme. Banting and Best isolated it in 1921 at the University of Toronto. Banting shared the 1923 Nobel with Macleod. Before insulin therapy, type 1 diabetes was a death sentence.

Aspirin (~5 clues · 100% correct), A gimme. Acetylsalicylic acid, derived from willow bark salicin. Bayer trademarked "Aspirin" in 1899. Low-dose aspirin prevents heart attacks by inhibiting platelet aggregation.

Acupuncture (~7 clues · 71% correct), Ancient Chinese practice (~4,000 years), inserting needles to balance qi energy flow. Gained Western attention after a New York Times journalist wrote about it during Nixon's 1972 China visit.

Watch out: 29% stumper rate. Clues focusing on "energy flow" or "meridians" without mentioning China or needles cause misses.

Vital Signs & Diagnostics

Blood pressure (~6 clues · 100% correct), A gimme. Systolic over diastolic (120/80 mmHg). A sphygmomanometer measures it, a favorite Jeopardy word. Hypertension is "the silent killer."

Cholesterol (~11 clues · 100% correct), A gimme. HDL ("good") vs. LDL ("bad"). From Greek "chole" (bile) + "stereos" (solid), "solid bile" appeared as a Final Jeopardy clue. Statins lower it.

Vitamin D (~8 clues · 88% correct) (The "sunshine vitamin") the body produces it from sunlight. Essential for calcium absorption. Deficiency causes rickets in children.

A stethoscope (~5 clues · 100% correct), A gimme. Invented by Rene Laennec in 1816; he rolled up paper to listen to a patient's chest. From Greek "stethos" (chest) + "skopein" (to examine).

A thermometer (~5 clues · 80% correct), Fahrenheit invented the mercury version in 1714. Normal body temperature: 98.6 F (37 C).

Watch out: 20% stumper rate when clues test its inventor rather than its function.

First Aid & Emergency Medicine

A tourniquet (~5 clues · 80% correct), Restricts blood flow to control severe bleeding. From French "tourner" (to turn). Once discouraged, now considered essential for hemorrhage control.

Watch out: 20% stumper rate. "Device applied to a limb to stop bleeding" = tourniquet.

A compound fracture (~5 clues · 80% correct), Broken bone pierces the skin (also called "open fracture"), creating infection risk.

Watch out: 20% stumper rate. Don't confuse with "comminuted" (bone shattered into pieces).

The Heimlich maneuver, Dr. Henry Heimlich's 1974 abdominal thrust technique for choking. Now often called simply "abdominal thrusts."

The #1 Stumper: Anthrax

Anthrax (~6 clues · 17% correct) is the most-missed answer in all of Medicine, 83% wrong. Caused by spore-forming Bacillus anthracis; three forms: cutaneous (black skin lesions, hence "anthrakis," Greek for coal), inhalation (most lethal), and gastrointestinal. Primarily affects livestock. Koch's 1870s anthrax work established germ theory and Koch's postulates. The 2001 letter attacks brought it into modern consciousness.

Why it stumps: Clues describe it through etymology (coal/black), livestock connection, or microbiology history, contexts contestants don't associate with "anthrax." Coal-black lesions, livestock disease, spore-forming bacteria, or Koch's early experiments all point to anthrax.


Final Jeopardy & Study Patterns

FJ by the Numbers

Medicine has 29 Final Jeopardy clues from 1985-2025, roughly one every 1.4 seasons. Clues reward deep knowledge of medical history and etymology over general awareness.

FJ Theme: Medical Pioneers

The dominant FJ angle, especially in recent years:

  • Edward Jenner: "Vaccine" from Latin "vacca" (cow), cowpox experiments 1796-1798
  • Joseph Lister: Antiseptic surgery; Listerine named after him
  • Jonas Salk: Polio vaccine (1955); refused to patent it
  • Sigmund Freud: Medical background and Viennese origins
  • Oliver Sacks: "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat"; 2025 FJ answer
  • Dr. Lamaze: Natural childbirth breathing techniques
  • Kenneth Cooper: Coined "aerobics" (1968)

FJ Theme: Disease History & Eradication

Smallpox leads with two FJ appearances: Jenner's 1796 vaccine experiment (origin of the word "vaccine") and the last natural case (Somalia, 1977; WHO eradication 1980). Other FJ diseases: chicken pox (varicella), asthma (etymology), polio (Salk), leprosy (now Hansen's disease), West Nile Virus.

FJ Theme: Medical Etymology

The show loves testing word origins in Final Jeopardy: - Cataract: Latin for "waterfall" (clouded lens appearance) - Cholesterol: Greek "chole" (bile) + "stereos" (solid) = "solid bile" - Aerobics: Greek for "with oxygen," coined by Cooper in 1968 - Vaccine: Latin "vacca" (cow), introduced by Jenner in 1798

If you know medical etymology, you're well-prepared for FJ.

FJ Theme: Cross-Disciplinary Connections

  • Vertigo: Hitchcock film named for the medical condition
  • Lou Gehrig: ALS named for the baseball player (died 1941)
  • Barbers: Medieval barber-surgeons; the red-and-white pole represents blood and bandages
  • Alka-Seltzer: Brand/product crossover
  • Brain freeze: 7-Eleven trademarked this term (medical name: sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia)

The Stumper Reference

Answer Wrong % What trips contestants up
anthrax 83% Coal etymology, livestock, Koch's experiments
the kidney 50% "Nephro-" and "renal" not recognized
measles 50% Confused with other childhood rashes
scurvy 43% Symptoms without sailor/vitamin C context
yellow fever 40% Confused with other tropical diseases
frostbite 33% Descriptions without cold-weather context
chicken pox 29% Varicella-zoster connection
acupuncture 29% "Energy flow" clues without China/needles
hepatitis 25% Liver-inflammation connection not made
anemia 22% Symptom-based clues mislead
the thyroid 20% Butterfly shape not connected to gland
the eyes 20% Specific anatomy vs. the organ
a tourniquet 20% "Device to stop limb bleeding" not recalled
a thermometer 20% Inventor clues harder than function clues
a compound fracture 20% Confused with comminuted fracture

Study Strategy: Putting It All Together

Tier 1, Master the gimmes. These 20+ answers are 100% correct every time: diabetes, Hippocrates, cholesterol, the heart, smallpox, arthritis, penicillin, blood pressure, Dr. Spock, Doctor Zhivago, sickle cell anemia, rabies, osteoporosis, meningitis, insulin, gout, dialysis, calcium, aspirin, a stethoscope.

Tier 2, Learn disease etymology. Describing diseases through Greek/Latin roots is the show's favorite pattern. "Diabetes" = to pass through, "malaria" = bad air, "anthrax" = coal.

Tier 3, Know pioneers chronologically. Hippocrates (460 BC) -> Galen (129 AD) -> Jenner (1796) -> Lister (1860s) -> Koch (1870s) -> Pasteur (1885) -> Banting (1921) -> Fleming (1928) -> Spock (1946) -> Salk (1955) -> Cooper (1968) -> Sacks (1985).

Tier 4, Drill the stumpers. Anthrax (83%), kidney (50%), and measles (50%) are the most-missed. Practice recognizing their clue patterns.

Tier 5, Prepare for Final Jeopardy. Etymology and pioneer biography dominate. Knowing Jenner, Lister, Salk, Sacks, and the word origins of "vaccine," "cataract," "cholesterol," and "aerobics" covers most historical FJ clues.

Your Performance

Attempts: 5 Correct: 4 Accuracy: 80.0% (overall: 53.5%)

Gimme Answers

top 50

Memorize these and recognize 13.1% of all Medicine clues.

#AnswerCountSample Clue
1 sickle cell anemia 16 Mary Styles Harris helped lead the fight against this type of anemia; its trait is in about 8% of African-American births
2 Hippocrates 12 This Greek's oath says doctors should avoid "seduction of women or men"
3 diabetes 12 ( Dr. Oz delivers the clue.) Body fat affects the ability to use insulin, so bad eating habits among youth may be why more & more kids are diagnosed n...
4 cholesterol 12 To calculate the ratio of this, divide the total level by the HDL level; a desirable result is below 4
5 Tuberculosis 11 Robert Koch in 1882 was first to link a germ to this disease (before that, you could say the info was TB-A)
6 Dr. Spock 10 This physician & author has been called "the man who reared 50 million kids"
7 German measles 10 Swollen lymph glands are a symptom of this disease that's also known as the three-day measles
8 the heart 9 In the condition called dextrocardia, this organ is situated in the right-hand part of the chest
9 Penicillin 9 Discovered in 1928, it kills gonococci, meningococci & streptococci
10 Malaria 9 Most cases of this mosquito-transmitted disease can be cured by chloroquine & primaquine
11 chicken pox 9 Disease which makes kids look like "connect the dots", same virus can cause shingles later on
12 high blood pressure 9 Also called hypertension, this is sometimes called "the silent killer" because of its lack of symptoms
13 the kidneys 9 Hemodialysis is used to remove impurities from the blood when these organs fail
14 smallpox 8 ( Cheryl of the Clue Crew, at the Smithsonian Institution, holds up a small needle.) By dispensing just enough vaccine, the bifurcated needle is the o...
15 asthma 8 ( Dr. Oz delivers the clue.) Dust can trigger an immune response in the lungs, leading to an attack of this breathing disorder from which 9.6% of Amer...
16 arthritis 8 Muscles inflamed? Joints in pain? Dr. Alex' Youth Elixir clears away the ol' rheumatiz, or osteo- this (& it ain't "porosis"!)
17 vitamin D 7 A study published in 2014 showed that this "sunshine vitamin" can reduce the pain some fibromyalgia patients suffer
18 polio 7 Australian nurse Sister Elizabeth Kenny was famous for her methods in treating this often paralyzing disease
19 hepatitis 7 ...that's not Bart Simpson; the yellowed skin, enlarged liver & loss of appetite indicate this 9-letter disease
20 glaucoma 7 The air puff test, a measure of eye pressure, is used to diagnose this condition
21 the nose 7 ...it's rhinoplasty, surgery to change the structure of this, but the patient doesn't want a horn
22 the stethoscope 7 The Frenchman Laennec invented this instrument to listen for sounds inside a body
23 the eyes 7 In strabismus one or both of these may turn inward or outward
24 whooping cough 6 In the 1930s Grace Eldering & Pearl Kendrick made a newly effective vaccine against this very noisy respiratory disease
25 rabies 6 Dogs with this desease may "foam at the mouth" because saliva builds up in their paralyzed throats
26 ibuprofen 6 Motrin is a brand of this nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat fever & muscle aches
27 Doctor Zhivago 6 Though finished in 1957, the hefty novel about him would not be published in the Soviet Union for 30 years
28 dialysis 6 The machine that performs this process is also known as an artificial kidney
29 acupuncture 6 In this practice, heat or electricity may be applied to the skin in addition to needles
30 the thyroid 6 Overactivity of this gland is the most common cause of exophthalmos, or abnormal bulging of the eyes
31 hay fever 6 In Britain, timothy grass is usually the cause of this sneezing malady
32 the lungs 6 Pneumoconiosis mainly affects these organs
33 Vitamin C 5 Tomatoes & strawberries as well as citrus fruits are good sources of this vitamin that prevents scurvy
34 the liver 5 ( Dr. Oz gives the clue.) Consuming lots of empty calories in forms such as soda leads directly to belly flab because this organ just keeps converting...
35 the Hippocratic Oath 5 It begins with a vow to an ancient god & ends with "if I transgress it & swear falsely, may the opposite of all this be my lot"
36 the appendix 5 Peritonitis, an inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity, is one possible complication if this organ bursts
37 Tetanus 5 A booster shot for this is recommended every 10 years for adults, especially if they do yardwork
38 shingles 5 Basically "Chickenpox 2: With a Vengeance", this painful rash is outbreak No. 2 of the Varicella-Zoster virus
39 scurvy 5 Orange juice is an antiscorbutic, meaning it prevents this disease
40 osteoporosis 5 At menopause estrogen levels drop, which can lead to bone loss & a higher risk for this fragile bone condition
41 meningitis 5 Recommended for teens & preteens, Menveo is a vaccine that helps prevent this highly contagious disease
42 insulin 5 In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas may no longer produce this hormone that controls blood sugar
43 Hemophilia 5 About 1 male in 10,000 is born with this bleeding disease where blood lacks clotting factor VIII
44 gout 5 William Howard Taft was among history's many sufferers of this painful joint disorder Hippocrates called the "unwalkable disease"
45 frostbite 5 Though popular misconception says rub snow on areas affected by this, don't!
46 fiber 5 (Dr. Oz delivers the clue.) Kids will feel full & maintain energy if they eat 7 to 10 grams each morning of this part of a balanced diet; it doesn't h...
47 calcium 5 Sufficient amounts of this mineral before age 35 are vital in preventing osteoporosis later in life
48 Sigmund Freud 5 Not an artist himself, he inspired the Surrealists but thought them "absolute cranks" until he met Dali in London in 1938
49 cauliflower ear 5 This condition where the ear becomes painful, swollen & distorted is most common in boxers
50 ulcers 4 Make your mucous membranes merry & mirthful! Enjoy Dr. Alex' Cure-All to fight these, be they duodenal or gastric

Sub-Areas

335
answers to learn
16 Must-Know
71 Should-Know
248 Worth Knowing

Must-Know Answers

These appear 8+ times. Memorize these first.

sickle cell anemia 16 Hippocrates 12 diabetes 12 cholesterol 12 Tuberculosis 11 Dr. Spock 10 the kidneys 10 German measles 10 the heart 9 Penicillin 9 Malaria 9 chicken pox 9 high blood pressure 9 smallpox 8 asthma 8 arthritis 8

Answers by Category

Jump to: Chemistry / Elements | Medicine / Health | Biology / Animals | Other | Astronomy / Space | Math / Physics | Earth Science

Chemistry / Elements

174 answers | 628 clues
Must-Know (14)
sickle cell anemia 16x 18.8% stumper $988 avg J:5 DJ:11
DJ $400 1988 A vitamin B-12 deficiency can result in this, a deficiency in red blood cells
J $500 1995 Often caused by a lack of iron or certain B vitamins, it's the most common disorder of the red blood cells
DJ $2,000 DD 2020 The bone marrow doesn't produce enough blood cells in the aplastic type of this disease
Hippocrates 12x 8.3% stumper $525 avg J:3 DJ:9
J $100 1990 The oath taken by medical graduates is named for this ancient physician
DJ $600 1994 "Ancient Medicine" is a treatise attributed to this 5th century B.C. Greek physician
DJ $1,200 2007 In the 400s B.C. this Greek wrote, "Into whatever houses I enter I will go into them for the benefit of the sick"
diabetes 12x $717 avg J:4 DJ:8
J $200 2014 Another reason to keep your blood sugar down: cataracts & other eye problems can be complications of this disorder
J $600 2011 ( Dr. Oz delivers the clue.) Body fat affects the ability to use insulin, so bad eating habits among youth may be why more & more kids are diagnosed not with the type 1 or juvenile kind of this but the type 2 or adult-onset variety
DJ $1,600 2010 21 million Americans have this disease of the endocrine system & 6 million of them don't know it
cholesterol 12x 9.1% stumper $327 avg J:6 DJ:5 FJ:1
J $100 1991 Victims of heart disease tend to have high levels of this fatty compound in their blood
J $500 1988 Acting in the liver, Lovastatin, a new drug, can reduce this in your blood up to 39%
FJ 1998 Its formula is C 27 H 46 O & its name is from Greek for "solid bile"
Tuberculosis 11x 18.2% stumper $664 avg J:7 DJ:4
J $100 1986 Christmas seals now fight all lung disease, but originally targeted this #1 killer of early 1900s
J $500 1997 In 1882 Robert Koch discovered the bacteria that cause this disease also called consumption
DJ $1,200 2003 The 1905 Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded to Robert Koch for his discoveries in relation to this lung disease
Dr. Spock 10x $630 avg J:2 DJ:8
DJ $200 1996 Dr. Michael Rothenberg co-authored the updated version of his "Baby and Child Care" book
J $800 2023 His "Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care" came out in 1946; "Common Sense" left the title in later editions
DJ $1,200 2006 This physician & author has been called "the man who reared 50 million kids"
the kidneys 10x 20.0% stumper $530 avg J:8 DJ:2
J $100 1994 Hemodialysis is used to remove impurities from the blood when these organs fail
J $500 1996 In 1943 Dr. Willem Kolff was the first to use an artificial one of these organs on humans
J $1,000 2016 Bright's disease is an inflammation in these organs
Penicillin 9x $500 avg J:2 DJ:7
J $100 1991 Ampicillin is a semisynthetic form of this other antibiotic
DJ $600 1985 U.S. mass production of this drug became possible by discovery of a mold on cantaloupe
DJ $1,000 DD 1997 Discovered in 1928, it kills gonococci, meningococci & streptococci
Malaria 9x $367 avg J:5 DJ:4
J $100 1999 Ague is an outdated term for this tropical disease spread by mosquitos
DJ $600 1996 Spread by anopheles mosquitoes, it's been called the greatest disease hazard of travel in warm climates
J $200 1998 New studies have found artemether as effective as quinine in treating this disease
chicken pox 9x 25.0% stumper $650 avg J:3 DJ:5 FJ:1
DJ $200 1994 Varicella is commonly known by this name that reminds us of poultry
J $500 1998 The virus that causes this kids' disease can cause shingles in later life
DJ $1,000 1988 The same virus which causes shingles in adults causes this disease in children
high blood pressure 9x $500 avg J:4 DJ:5
DJ $400 2006 Hypertension
DJ $600 1994 Also called hypertension, this is sometimes called "the silent killer" because of its lack of symptoms
DJ $1,600 2012 Prevention's "12 Ways to Lower" this "Naturally" include "Indulge in dark chocolate" & "Seek help for snoring"
smallpox 8x $800 avg J:2 DJ:3 FJ:3
J $400 2023 In 1974 WHO Director-General Halfdan Mahler predicted the eradication of this disease; by 1980 it was gone
DJ $800 2012 Edward Jenner came up with the first successful vaccine, one that prevented this deadly disease
DJ $1,600 DD 2013 In 1978 Janet Parker, a worker at Birmingham Medical School, became the last person to die of this disease
asthma 8x $357 avg J:3 DJ:4 FJ:1
DJ $200 1997 Wheezing attacks of this chronic lung disease are often triggered by allergies
J $800 2011 ( Dr. Oz delivers the clue.) Dust can trigger an immune response in the lungs, leading to an attack of this breathing disorder from which 9.6% of American children now suffer
FJ 2001 The USA's leading chronic illness in children, it causes 10 million missed school days & 1 in 6 of all pediatric emergency visits
arthritis 8x 12.5% stumper $412 avg J:2 DJ:6
J $200 2008 Muscles inflamed? Joints in pain? Dr. Alex' Youth Elixir clears away the ol' rheumatiz, or osteo- this (& it ain't "porosis"!)
J $500 1994 This condition that often afflicts the elderly is also known as degenerative joint disease
DJ $1,000 1987 Some authorities say gout is a form of this degenerative disease
Should-Know (45)
hepatitis 7x 14.3% stumper $557 avg J:4 DJ:3
J $200 1995 The delta type of this viral inflammation of the liver only occurs in people who also have type B
J $600 2008 It's the B form of this inflammation of the liver that's spread by some kinds of personal contact
J $300 1992 This inflammation of the liver can be caused by viruses, drugs or alcohol
glaucoma 7x $729 avg J:4 DJ:3
J $300 2000 From the Greek for "gray", this condition may cause blindness by increasing pressure on the optic nerve
J $500 1988 To test for this, the eyeball is anesthetized & a pressure gauge is placed on the front of the eye
J $1,000 DD 2007 The air puff test, a measure of eye pressure, is used to diagnose this condition
the nose 7x $571 avg J:5 DJ:2
J $100 1995 Spicy food & alcohol seem to contribute to making this facial organ red & bulbous
DJ $600 1984 Body part altered by rhinoplasty
DJ $2,000 2002 ( Jimmy of the Clue Crew at the Dr.'s office.) "Rhinitis" you mean I have inflammation in this body part
the stethoscope 7x $271 avg J:4 DJ:3
DJ $200 1995 An early version of this instrument used to hear the heart was made from a wooden tube
DJ $200 1993 The 1st of these instruments used to listen to internal body sounds was made by Rene Laennec c. 1815
J $200 1990 Dr. René Laennec invented this piece of medical equipment by rolling a piece of paper into a tube
the eyes 7x 28.6% stumper $557 avg J:3 DJ:4
DJ $200 1990 Exophthalmos, a bulging of 1 or both of these, is most often caused by an overactive thyroid
DJ $800 1996 In strabismus one or both of these may turn inward or outward
DJ $1,000 1994 In a blepharoplasty, excess tissue is removed from the area around these
rabies 6x $567 avg J:4 DJ:2
J $100 1995 Without treatment, this disease transmitted by dog bites is usually fatal
J $600 2006 Mere contact on scratched skin of saliva from an animal with this disease, aka hydrophobia, can transmit it
DJ $2,000 2013 The word for this disease comes from the same Latin root as "rage"
ibuprofen 6x 16.7% stumper $1,133 avg J:1 DJ:5
J $400 2021 If you are allergic to aspirin, you may also be allergic to this active ingredient in MOTRIN IB
DJ $800 2020 Motrin is a brand of this nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat fever & muscle aches
DJ $1,000 1995 Patented in 1964, it's the pain-relieving drug found in Motrin & Nuprin
Doctor Zhivago 6x $567 avg J:3 DJ:3
J $200 2012 Soviet editors said this Pasternak novel had anti-Soviet material, so it was not published in the USSR
DJ $800 2016 This doctor/poet was Boris Pasternak's alter ego
J $1,000 2023 Though finished in 1957, the hefty novel about him would not be published in the Soviet Union for 30 years
acupuncture 6x 16.7% stumper $300 avg J:2 DJ:4
J $200 2024 An AOM practitioner is trained in this "& Oriental medicine"
DJ $200 1991 The Chinese use this practice, which they developed, as a non-chemical form of anesthesia
DJ $200 1985 As of Jan.1. 1985, California health plans must cover this ancient Chinese treatment
Vitamin C 6x 16.7% stumper $550 avg J:5 DJ:1
J $100 1990 Many believe this vitamin can prevent colds, but the AMA says there's no scientific evidence
J $500 1991 Cooking destroys this vitamin whose scientific name is ascorbic acid
DJ $1,000 1994 Around 1930 Albert Szent-Gyorgyi & Charles G. King isolated this antiscurvy substance
the lungs 6x $600 avg J:4 DJ:2
J $300 1993 Legionnaire's Disease affects the bronchial tubes & this pair of organs
J $2,000 DD 2002 Each of these organs is lined with a membrane called a pleura; hence, pleurisy
J $400 2003 Pneumoconiosis mainly affects these organs
the liver 5x 20.0% stumper $1,020 avg J:3 DJ:2
J $500 1994 Hepatomegaly is defined as enlargement of this organ
J $1,000 2005 19th century physiologist Claude Bernard found how this organ converts sugar to glycogen & stores it
J $800 2012 ( Dr. Oz gives the clue.) Consuming lots of empty calories in forms such as soda leads directly to belly flab because this organ just keeps converting the sugar to fat
the Hippocratic Oath 5x $300 avg J:1 DJ:2 FJ:2
J $100 1986 It begins, "I swear by Apollo the physician, & Aesculapius, Hygeia, & Panacea,..."
DJ $600 1984 Doctors swear by this Greek oath
FJ 2014 It begins with a vow to an ancient god & ends with "if I transgress it & swear falsely, may the opposite of all this be my lot"
the appendix 5x $520 avg J:2 DJ:3
DJ $400 2019 Peritonitis, an inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity, is one possible complication if this organ bursts
J $600 2016 Named for an American surgeon, McBurney's incision is a cut in the lower right abdomen used when removing this
DJ $400 2007 A McBurney's incision is made in the lower right abdomen by a surgeon about to remove this
Tetanus 5x $500 avg J:3 DJ:2
J $200 1992 This serious disease is caused by spores of the bacterium Clostridium tetani
DJ $800 1997 A booster shot for this is recommended every 10 years for adults, especially if they do yardwork
J $300 1995 Due to routine immunization only about 100 cases of this, aka lockjaw, are treated in the U.S. each year
scurvy 5x 20.0% stumper $680 avg J:2 DJ:3
DJ $400 2012 On James Lind's advice, in 1795 the British navy began issuing daily rations of lemon juice to prevent this disease
J $800 2023 Orange juice is an antiscorbutic, meaning it prevents this disease
J $1,000 2006 Spongy gums, weakness, depression, had no vitamin C in a year? Must be this disease (& cut the pirate act)
osteoporosis 5x $1,000 avg J:2 DJ:3
J $400 2016 Weight-bearing exercise & a calcium-rich diet can help prevent this bone thinning disease
J $600 2017 ( Sarah of the Clue Crew shows an anatomical animation on the monitor.) The spine bends forward as the thoracic vertebrae become compressed in a condition called kyphosis, more commonly known as a Dowager's hump, a symptom of this disease of thinning...
DJ $1,600 2024 At menopause estrogen levels drop, which can lead to bone loss & a higher risk for this fragile bone condition
meningitis 5x $1,120 avg J:1 DJ:4
DJ $800 2023 Recommended for teens & preteens, Menveo is a vaccine that helps prevent this highly contagious disease
J $1,000 2019 Sudden fever & neck stiffness could signal this serious inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain & spinal cord
DJ $800 2007 There are viral & bacterial types of this, the inflammation of the membranes covering the brain & spinal cord
insulin 5x 20.0% stumper $640 avg J:3 DJ:2
DJ $400 2022 In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas may no longer produce this hormone that controls blood sugar
J $1,000 DD 1996 Chromium works with this pancreatic hormone in the utilization of glucose
J $400 2006 Used to treat diabetes, this hormone produced in the pancreas may be obtained from human, beef or pork cells
Hemophilia 5x $320 avg J:3 DJ:2
J $200 1996 A defective gene on the X chromosome causes this disease in which blood doesn't clot normally
J $200 1990 Queen Victoria passed this hereditary blood disease to many of her royal descendants
DJ $400 2004 The Duffy blood group system was discovered while treating a sufferer of this hereditary condition
gout 5x $740 avg J:3 DJ:2
J $200 1991 This form of arthritis that Henry VIII had often makes the big toe tender
DJ $800 1989 Too much alcohol or rich food doesn't cause this joint inflammation, but it may trigger attacks
DJ $2,000 DD 2022 William Howard Taft was among history's many sufferers of this painful joint disorder Hippocrates called the "unwalkable disease"
frostbite 5x 20.0% stumper $320 avg J:4 DJ:1
J $100 1993 Blisters may form on the skin in a severe case of this condition caused by exposure to extreme cold
DJ $1,000 1985 Common name for winter condition "congelation"
J $100 1985 Though popular misconception says rub snow on areas affected by this, don't!
calcium 5x $360 avg J:5
J $200 2021 Dairy products are high in this element, atomic No. 20, that is vital to bone growth & health
J $500 1991 Older women should know that consuming this metallic element can ward off osteoporosis
J $200 1989 Doses of this mineral are prescribed for women suffering from osteoporosis
Sigmund Freud 5x 25.0% stumper $800 avg J:1 DJ:3 FJ:1
J $200 2015 ...is known as "the father of psychoanalysis"
DJ $800 2020 Ach, nein! Advocating a drug he enjoyed himself, this Austrian psychoanalyst published "Uber Coca" in 1884
DJ $1,400 DD 2012 In 1895 he began replacing hypnosis as a form of therapy with free association
cauliflower ear 5x $280 avg J:3 DJ:2
J $200 1989 Thanks to their helmets, football players avoid this ear condition common among boxers
J $300 1992 This condition where the ear becomes painful, swollen & distorted is most common in boxers
DJ $200 1986 Disturbance of the balancing mechanism in this organ's semicircular canal causes vertigo
the retina 4x $375 avg J:2 DJ:2
J $200 1993 Nearsighted people are more prone than others to having this part of the eye become detached
J $500 1993 The blind spot is a small, oval area with no light receptors in this part of the eye
DJ $400 2013 The sensation that a dark curtain is being pulled across the eye can indicate that this has become detached
the kidney 4x 25.0% stumper $700 avg DJ:4
DJ $400 2021 ...did you diagnose glomerulonephritis, inflammation of tiny filters in this organ? Facial fluid retention was a symptom
DJ $600 1993 Also called Bright's disease, acute nephritis is a disease that affects this organ
DJ $1,000 1992 In the 1950s it became the first organ to be successfully transplanted in humans
tennis elbow 4x $900 avg J:1 DJ:3
J $600 2009 ...his arm doesn't have to come off; he just has lateral humeral epicondylitis, this "sporty" affliction
DJ $1,600 2007 Lateral epicondylitis is the medical term for this chronic sports injury that affects the arm
DJ $600 1994 Bjorn & Martina may know that the medical term for this inflammation is epicondylitis
red blood cells 4x $200 avg J:2 DJ:2
DJ $200 2000 A doctor may use a hematocrit test to measure the volume of these cells
J $200 1995 These cells make up about 40% of normal blood
DJ $200 1994 In Thalassemia, an inherited form of anemia, these cells contain less hemoglobin than normal
quinine 4x $425 avg J:2 DJ:2
DJ $200 1993 This alkaloid drug used to treat malaria was once known as Peruvian bark
DJ $800 1987 Until the late 1930s, this was the only remedy for malaria
J $300 1986 Derived from bark of cinchona tree, it was for years only known remedy for malaria
muscular dystrophy 4x 25.0% stumper $900 avg J:1 DJ:3
DJ $200 1986 Every year, Jerry Lewis hosts the telethon to help "his kids" who have this disease
DJ $1,000 1994 The Duchenne type of this disorder usually appears between the ages of 3 & 5
J $400 1992 Jerry Lewis could tell you Duchenne is the most common form of this disorder
macular degeneration 4x 25.0% stumper $1,350 avg J:1 DJ:3
J $1,000 2014 A National Eye Institute study showed that antioxidants & zinc can reduce the risk of AMD, age-related this
DJ $1,200 2017 February is awareness month for this condition affecting the macula; it's a leading cause of vision loss for individuals 50 & over
DJ $1,600 2023 Wet & dry are 2 types of this age-related eye disorder that causes gradual loss of central vision
Lyme disease 4x $950 avg J:2 DJ:2
J $400 1996 First identified in 1975, it's now the most prevalent tick-borne disease in the U.S.
DJ $800 1994 This inflammation disorder, also known as LD, is named for a Connecticut town, not a citrus fruit
J $1,000 2014 Often found in areas with large deer populations, this bacterial inflammatory disease was first identified in 1975
laryngitis 4x $200 avg J:3 DJ:1
J $100 1991 It's an inflammation of the voice box resulting in hoarseness
J $100 1991 Those suffering from this inflammation around the vocal cords can be speechless
J $200 1995 A virus is the usual cause of this inflammation of the voice box that can lead to loss of voice
jaundice 4x $500 avg J:3 DJ:1
J $200 1993 This yellowing of the skin & whites of the eyes may occur when one has hepatitis
DJ $1,000 1997 Icterus is another name for this yellowing of the skin
J $400 1994 This yellowing of the skin may be a sign of a liver disorder
hypertension 4x $825 avg J:1 DJ:3
J $100 1989 Blood pressure problem often called "the silent killer" because it often has no obvious symptoms in early stages
DJ $1,200 2010 A technique called the relaxation response opens up blood vessels, easing a systolic type of this 1-word condition
DJ $400 2010 As Franklin D. Roosevelt's blood pressure was 300/190, he suffered from this 1-word condition
biofeedback 4x $650 avg J:1 DJ:3
J $400 1986 Used to control functions like blood pressure thru awareness & concentration, its commonest form is EMG
DJ $600 1989 Connected to a beeping machine, people have learned to control their blood pressure using this process
DJ $800 1991 Instant info about a person's physiological processes given to teach the person to control them
aspirin 4x $350 avg J:4
J $200 2019 What was once called "baby" this drug is now known as "low-dose" this drug & given to adults to prevent blood clots
J $600 2002 To prevent Reye's syndrome, children with viral infections should not take this common medication
J $200 1990 In 1985 health officials said this OTC drug could reduce the risk of a second heart attack
Alzheimer's 4x $475 avg J:1 DJ:3
J $300 1991 About 7% of Americans age 65 & over suffer from this brain disorder which can cause total loss of memory
DJ $800 1987 Protein A-68 found in brain may lead to early diagnosis of this disease of the elderly
DJ $400 2018 In 1993 the FDA approved Tacrine, the first drug to specifically target memory symptoms of this disease
a compound fracture 4x $375 avg J:3 DJ:1
J $100 1996 In a simple fracture, the wound is closed; in this type of fracture, bone may protrude
DJ $1,000 1984 Term for broken bone which breaks the skin
J $100 1993 A closed fracture is also called a simple fracture; an open fracture is better known as this
the knee 4x $375 avg J:1 DJ:3
DJ $400 1988 Although arthroscopic surgery can be performed on many joints, it is most often done on this one
DJ $800 2009 A 2008 Toronto study found that doctors are more likely to recommend replacing this joint in men
J $100 2001 A tap on this tibia-topping joint gives information about the health of the spinal cord
a placebo 4x $825 avg J:1 DJ:3
DJ $400 2025 I assure you, there's nothing wrong with you, but if you insist, I'll prescribe this inert preparation, Latin for "I shall please"
DJ $1,000 1984 From Latin "to please", medicine given just to humor a patient
J $400 2016 In this "effect" people are given inert substances & seem to improve
a migraine 4x 25.0% stumper $425 avg J:2 DJ:2
DJ $200 1989 A sharp pain in your temple, blurred vision & nausea are all symptoms of this type of severe headache
J $600 2008 Ate too much MSG or feelin' a megrim, or one of these, comin' on? Beta-blocker, shmeta-blocker! Try Dr. Alex' Head Cream!
J $100 1993 One of these severe headaches typically lasts from 2 hours to 2 days
Edward Jenner 4x $700 avg J:1 DJ:2 FJ:1
J $300 1990 His discovery of a smallpox vaccination helped pave the way for modern immunology
DJ $800 1994 In 1796 this physician gave the first vaccination for smallpox
DJ $1,000 1993 In 1798 he wrote "An Inquiry into the Causes & Effects of the Variolae Vaccine, a Disease Known (as) Cow Pox"
coronary arteries 4x 25.0% stumper $800 avg J:3 DJ:1
J $100 1996 Atheromas are the fatty deposits on the inner lining of one of these that can cause atherosclerosis
J $600 2007 A stent is a tube often used to hold these open, especially the coronary ones
J $1,000 2002 During a CABG operation, to bypass these arteries, incisions are made in a leg to get at a vein
Worth Knowing (115)
yellow fever 3 white blood cells 3 the eye 3 thalidomide 3 teeth 3 sodium 3 shock 3 rhinoplasty 3 plaque 3 oxygen 3 obesity 3 milk 3 Melatonin 3 MedicAlert 3 mad cow disease 3 histamine 3 Gray 3 Galen 3 fluoride 3 fainting 3 endorphins 3 colic 3 Cirrhosis 3 cholera 3 cataracts 3 calamine 3 blood 3 autism 3 an aneurysm 3 Alzheimer's disease 3 a scalpel 3 a facelift 3 (Henry) Heimlich 3 The tongue 3 warts 2 varicose veins 2 Van Helsing 2 ultrasound 2 Typhoid fever 2 triglycerides 2 the stomach 2 The New England Journal of Medicine 2 the lens 2 The Fugitive 2 the conjunctiva 2 the brain 2 tachycardia 2 swelling 2 stem cells 2 sleepwalking 2 sleeping sickness 2 shin splints 2 shiatsu 2 scoliosis 2 scarlet fever 2 salt 2 resistance 2 radiation 2 prognosis 2 pneumonia 2 Plasma 2 Pavlov 2 Parkinson's 2 nitrous oxide 2 Medicaid 2 lead 2 jumping jacks 2 jaw 2 iron 2 Hypothermia 2 horses 2 Heart Attack 2 health maintenance organization 2 headaches 2 hayfever 2 generic 2 fall asleep 2 ER 2 emphysema 2 Elizabeth Blackwell 2 elevation 2 Ebola 2 Dr. Seuss 2 cortisone 2 copper 2 color blindness 2 codeine 2 chronic 2 Chicago 2 Charles Atlas 2 cauterization 2 cardiology 2 Candide 2 bursitis 2 bronchitis 2 Blue Cross 2 biopsy 2 barium 2 barbers 2 baldness 2 baking soda 2 athlete's foot 2 Arthur Conan Doyle 2 antibiotics 2 an orthodontist 2 an ophthalmologist 2 amnesia 2 Alka-Seltzer 2 aerobics 2 a kidney stone 2 a hernia 2 a chiropractor 2 a cataract 2 (Jonas) Salk 2 the wrist 2

Medicine / Health

50 answers | 134 clues
Must-Know (1)
German measles 10x 40.0% stumper $550 avg J:6 DJ:4
J $400 2024 In the first part of 2024, almost 150 U.S. cases of this disease aka rubeola were reported, with nearly half in Chicago
DJ $600 1995 This contagious children's disease characterized by spots is sometimes called morbilli
DJ $1,000 1988 About 10 days after exposure to this disease, Koplik's spots appear on the insides of your cheeks
Should-Know (7)
whooping cough 6x 16.7% stumper $1,000 avg J:2 DJ:4
J $400 1991 A DPT vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus & pertussis, which is this
J $500 1993 Pertussis is also called this, from the characteristic sound made by sufferers
DJ $1,100 DD 1991 In 1906 Jules Bordet discovered Bacillus pertussis, the bacterium that causes this
dialysis 6x $817 avg J:2 DJ:4
DJ $400 1998 Dr. Belding Scribner developed a shunt to allow long-term use of this kidney substitute
J $500 1993 In the 1940s Dutch doctor Willem Kolff gave kidney patients new hope with this filtering machine
DJ $1,000 1994 Artificial kidney is another name for the machine that performs this procedure
the thyroid 6x 16.7% stumper $717 avg J:2 DJ:4
J $400 1989 Barbara Bush's 18 lb. weight loss in early '89 was caused by Graves' Disease, overactivity of this gland
J $500 1995 Graves' disease is a disorder in which this gland becomes overactive
DJ $1,000 1994 Overactivity of this gland is the most common cause of exophthalmos, or abnormal bulging of the eyes
mumps 5x 60.0% stumper $840 avg J:2 DJ:3
J $300 1995 Swollen salivary glands are the chief symptom of this common childhood viral disease
J $500 1996 Also called parotitis, this contagious disease is caused by a virus found in saliva
DJ $2,000 2013 Epidemic parotitis is another name for this common childhood disease
rubella 4x $575 avg J:2 DJ:2
J $100 1998 The "R" in the MMR vaccine stands for this
DJ $800 1992 Measles is known medically as rubeola, German measles as this
J $1,000 2002 Rubeola is the 10-day measles; this is 3-day measles
a tourniquet 4x $275 avg J:4
J $100 1990 This tight device should only be applied as a last resort if bleeding is severe
J $200 1991 Device placed around a limb and tightened to stop bleeding; it can do more harm than good
J $400 1993 Misuse of this tight device made with a bandage & a stick can cause gangrene
Dr. Watson 4x $500 avg J:2 DJ:2
DJ $400 2016 Like his roommate, this doctor first shows up in "A Study in Scarlet"
J $800 2012 He falls in love with Mary Morstan in "The Sign of Four"; can you deduce who it is?
DJ $400 2014 "I was returning from a journey to a patient", he tells us, "when my way led me through Baker Street"—& the game is afoot!
Worth Knowing (42)

Biology / Animals

45 answers | 116 clues
Should-Know (7)
polio 7x $483 avg J:2 DJ:4 FJ:1
DJ $200 1995 The Salk & Sabin vaccines have been so successful that this disease has been eradicated in the Americas
DJ $800 1994 About 85% of children infected with this disease, once called infantile paralysis, have no symptoms
DJ $1,000 1986 In the '40s, Sister Kenny, an Australian nurse, brought her treatment for this disease to the U.S.
bone marrow 5x 20.0% stumper $760 avg J:2 DJ:3
DJ $400 1995 During childhood the yellow form of this replaces the more active red type inside some of your bones
J $800 2007 The pelvic bones are where doctors get this stuff they transplant into cancer patients
DJ $1,200 2024 In 1963 France's Dr. Georges Mathé announced that he had cured a leukemia patient by transplanting this spongy tissue
the Heimlich maneuver 4x $350 avg J:3 DJ:1
J $300 1994 A San Antonio woman suffered 3 cracked ribs as Henry Cisneros & 3 others performed this maneuver on her
J $300 1990 This maneuver used on choking victims is also known as the abdominal thrust, or manual thrust
DJ $400 1994 A choking victim may be saved with this "maneuver" whether he's sitting, standing or lying down
Hives 4x 25.0% stumper $525 avg J:2 DJ:2
J $300 1996 This itchy symptom of some allergies is sometimes called nettle rash
DJ $600 1997 "Bee" careful: strawberries & shellfish may cause an allergic person's skin to break out in these
J $400 1989 The common name for urticaria, a rash characterized by small red bumps
General Hospital 4x $650 avg J:3 DJ:1
J $200 2014 The daughter of spies Anna DeVane & Robert Scorpio, Dr. Robin Scorpio-Drake helped folks check into this ABC soap
J $800 2025 Pop music idol Rick Springfield played Dr. Noah Drake on this medical drama that has aired more than 15,000 episodes
DJ $800 2017 Alan & Monica Quartermaine are just 2 of the many doctors featured over more than 13,000 episodes of this drama
ether 4x $400 avg J:3 DJ:1
J $100 1993 Anesthesia using vapors of this liquid was 1st demonstrated publicly at Mass. General Hospital in 1846
J $500 1988 This colorless liquid, C 4 H 10 O, was formerly a common anesthetic
J $200 1995 This, the first general anesthetic, was in common use until the 1930s
cystic fibrosis 4x $625 avg J:1 DJ:3
DJ $400 2000 In 1989 researchers identified the abnormal gene on chromosome 7 that causes CF, this disease
J $500 1993 In 1989 scientists identified the gene that causes this disease, abbreviated CF
DJ $1,200 2012 ( Dr. Oz presents the clue.) Dr. Dorothy Andersen named this disease, CF for short, & also helped create a test to diagnose it
Worth Knowing (38)

Astronomy / Space

19 answers | 73 clues
Must-Know (1)
the heart 9x $222 avg J:6 DJ:3
J $100 1994 During surgery a defibrillator may be used to restart this organ
J $100 1994 Cardiomyopathy is a general medical term for a disorder of this muscle
J $100 1993 In the condition called dextrocardia, this organ is situated in the right-hand part of the chest
Should-Know (10)
vitamin D 7x $771 avg J:3 DJ:4
J $100 1993 It's been called the "sunshine vitamin"
J $500 DD 1990 Rickets is caused by inadequate exposure to sunlight or a lack of this vitamin in the diet
DJ $1,000 1991 Rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults are caused by a lack of this vitamin
shingles 5x 40.0% stumper $1,260 avg J:2 DJ:3
J $500 1986 Herpes zoster, it's caused by chicken pox virus, not by mending roofs
DJ $1,000 1989 Only those who've had chicken pox can get this infection that comes from the same virus
J $800 2022 A recombinant zoster vaccine is given in 2 doses starting at age 50 to prevent this painful disease
Mayo 5x 20.0% stumper $440 avg J:3 DJ:2
J $400 2003 He founded a clinic with his 2 sons & was active in organizing the Minnesota Territory in the 1850s & 1860s
DJ $800 1988 Bros. William & Charles of this Minn. family are credited with starting 1st private group practice
J $200 2011 Last name of William & Charles, brothers who built their own medical center in Rochester, Minnesota in 1914
(William) Harvey 5x 20.0% stumper $1,320 avg DJ:5
DJ $1,000 1986 Eng. physician whose treatise on circulation is considered most important in history of physiology
DJ $1,000 1985 In 1600s, his book on blood circulation started modern physiology
DJ $1,600 2010 In 1616 he began lecturing on the circulation of blood; his book on the subject didn't come out until 1628
ulcers 4x $800 avg J:2 DJ:2
J $400 2008 Make your mucous membranes merry & mirthful! Enjoy Dr. Alex' Cure-All to fight these, be they duodenal or gastric
DJ $800 2015 Dr. Oz warned that "over-the-counter painkillers may increase your risk for peptic" these
DJ $1,200 2020 Barry Marshall won a 2005 Nobel Prize for proving that peptic these are an infectious bacterial disease
Dr. Kildare 4x 25.0% stumper $800 avg J:1 DJ:3
J $100 1996 Richard Chamberlain played Dr. Daniel Kulani on "Island Son", but he's more famous for this 1960s role
DJ $600 1993 This doctor was featured in a series of novels by Max Brand before his TV portrayal by Richard Chamberlain
DJ $900 DD 1988 The '60s TV series with the following theme was based on short stories by Max Brand: "Three stars will shine tonight, one for the lonely..."
Doctor Dolittle 4x $650 avg J:1 DJ:3
DJ $400 1985 Animal-loving hero of children's stories by Hugh Lofting
J $600 2012 In letters to his children during WWI, Hugh Lofting created this title physician
DJ $800 2022 Hugh Lofting created this animal-loving M.D. during World War I in letters to his children from the front
a thermometer 4x $275 avg J:2 DJ:2
J $100 1986 Though it was Galileo who invented the 1st one, his buddy Santorio invented the clinical type
DJ $600 1991 In 1866 Thomas Allbutt introduced the clinical type of this; old ones took 20 minutes to register
J $200 1994 One type of this is put in the mouth; others may be put under the arm or elsewhere
a mammogram 4x $450 avg J:2 DJ:2
J $200 1996 It's the X-ray procedure used to detect breast cancer at an early stage
DJ $800 2016 The American Cancer Society now recommends women have this breast cancer screening yearly beginning at age 45
DJ $400 2005 Oct. 21, 2005 is the natl. day for this; done every 1-2 years starting at 40, it can reduce risk of breast cancer death
a tick 4x $500 avg J:3 DJ:1
J $300 1999 Like lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is transmitted by one of these arachnids
DJ $1,000 DD 2006 Far away from Lyme, the lone star type of this parasite carries ehrlichiosis, a bacterial infection
J $300 1990 In recent years, Lyme disease has become the most common illness transmitted by these bugs
Worth Knowing (8)

Math / Physics

6 answers | 21 clues
Should-Know (2)
hay fever 6x $583 avg J:3 DJ:3
DJ $200 1990 A study shows kids may recover from chickenpox faster if they're not given medicine to reduce this
DJ $1,200 2006 Pollinosis
J $400 1988 A patient who is febrile has this
fiber 5x 20.0% stumper $560 avg J:3 DJ:2
J $200 2014 Apples & carrots are good sources of the soluble type of this, aka bulk or roughage
DJ $800 1989 1/3 of Americans over 60 have diverticulosis, which can be caused by a lack of this in the diet
J $1,000 DD 2011 (Dr. Oz delivers the clue.) Kids will feel full & maintain energy if they eat 7 to 10 grams each morning of this part of a balanced diet; it doesn't have to be in cereal—1 pear alone has 5 grams
Worth Knowing (4)

Earth Science

1 answers | 3 clues
Worth Knowing (1)
Home Practice Play Study