Looking Down In The Mouth

I had a trip to the Royal Infirmary this week, for a sialogram. Yes, I had to ask for an explanation too. It is when they look into your mouth and do a check on your salivary glands* by pumping dye in through a catheter and taking X-rays. Sounds much worse than it really is. Thank you to all the splendid staff who made it all go so smoothly. It was a little uncomfortable, but in no way painful. The worst bit was the lemon juice that they give you to flush your mouth out afterwards – the best bit, the cream cake Bob bought me to take the taste away! [*I had a minor infection a few weeks back and the GP wanted it checked out, in case I had a stone in the gland]

Here’s a typical sialogram X-ray [not mine] and a plastic skull

The second skull is the replica of Richard III’s skull, which was printed out using one of these amazing 3d computer printers. I had a look round Leicester Guildhall’s Exhibition before I went along to my appointment. The Hospital staff were very excited when I told them – the King’s skull had been scanned in the Hospital’s scanner, just along the corridor from where I was being seen. “I actually got to see the skeleton” said one of guys. I only saw the plastic replica [but I did see the actual trench last summer!]

Everything in the exhibition was well laid out and there were plenty of staff around to answer questions. Also lots of other artefacts found at the dig.

But I may give up gardening though. I have already said this week that it is not my favourite pastime. But now I have further justification – it is clearly a risky business – look at this notice

Richard III may have lost his feet because of gardening activity!