Using Scientific Thinking to Solve a Problem

To illustrate how science helps us solve problems, consider a true story about two people, David and Susan (not their real names). Several years ago David and Susan were healthy 40-year-olds living in California, where David was serving in the Air Force. Gradually Susan became quite ill, showing flulike symptoms including nausea and severe muscle pains. Even her personality changed she became uncharacteristically grumpy. She seemed like a totally different person from the healthy, happy woman of a few 

Desperate, David began to search the medical literature himself. One day while he was reading about porphyria, a statement jumped off the page Lead poisoning can sometimes be confused with porphyria. Could the problem be lead poisoning  

We have described a very serious problem with life-or-death implications. What should David do next Overlooking for a moment the obvious response of calling the couple s doctor immediately to discuss the possibility of lead poisoning, could David solve the problem by scientific thinking Let s use the three steps of the scientific approach to attack the problem one part at a time. This is important usually we solve complex problems by breaking them down into manageable parts. We can then assemble the solution to the overall problem from the answers we have found from the parts.  

If this idea works, it would be an inexpensive, safe method for characterizing a minefield. These mine buzzers would be much safer than the current practice of prodding the soil with pokers. 

David and Susan are ill The disease is lead Look up symptoms of Symptoms match 

---