) None of the other patients displayed the same symptoms as Tom?If a person has certain symptoms and others are being compared to that person and his symptoms, what word would fit in a sentence like:
<None of the other patients matched Tom's ??????>
I don't want 'symptoms' again, and the word I'm looking for is not 'diagnosis,' because no one really knows what Tom has. I'm looking for a word, maybe a phrase but I think it's a word, that designates how Tom presents medically.
"None of the other cases currently on the ward had the same profile as Tom." is one option.
You could also say something along the lines of "Tom's case appeared to be unique. Although Dick and Harry were both running similarly high fevers, neither had the blue spots or the powerful halitosis."
(My background is biochemistry, so I've read plenty of medical material.)
If you want to stick with strict observation, discussing "symptomology" or the "profile of the case", or discussing it in terms of specific symptoms (which I'm sure you mention elsewhere) is probably best. If you don't mind having your POV draw a bit of a conclusion (which may or may not be valid), you could also say "None of the other patients seemed to be suffering from the same illness as Tom" or "Based on current observations, Tom's condition did not match that of the other patients."
The distinction between strict observation and drawing a conclusion is sometimes a fine point, but it can be a very important one. You can end up with very different effects based on which you choose. Also, it really matters in medicine, and you need to consider it in the context of the scene. There are times when drawing a conclusion is appropriate, and times when it isn't.
(I'm sure the majority of people reading this understand, but unfortunately the general public often doesn't. Having taught labs, I can tell you that most college students are pretty fuzzy on the distinction, even when they're supposed to be focusing on it! You can use that to your advantage, though, depending on the effect you want to achieve. It can be a useful device, for example, when planting a clue in a mystery.)
Thanks again.
But consider what you are trying to say before you agonize over how to say it. Are you trying to say none of the other patients displayed the same symptoms as Tom? None of the other patients displayed the same symptoms as Tom? None of the other patients displayed the same symptoms as Tom? (Heh heh, try setting that one in a mental ward ) None of the other patients displayed the same symptoms as Tom?
Right now your probably wondering what I'm talking about, so I'll say it outright. Which word is the novel element that you are emphasizing with this statement? Maybe there's more than one, that's perfectly all right. Perhaps all the patients (and only they) were exposed to a pathogenic environment, but Tom's the only patient showing certain symptoms that have also been observed in people that weren't exposed to the pathogen. In that case, you're suggesting that Tom's symptoms have nothing to do with the exposure to the pathogen. Perhaps all the other patients got sick after Tom, so they apparently aren't in the same stage of illness. Or you might be saying that Tom's combination of indications is so truly unique that there are no matches when you look at the data for all patients in known medical history.
These possibilities are all quite distinct, and I have no idea which is closer to your intent, or whether they are all wrong together.
quote:
Or you might be saying that Tom's combination of indications is so truly unique that there are no matches when you look at the data for all patients in known medical history.
jk it's there pop out all the words that it isn't but could be and you might find it.
I was just working on a short story about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and did a web search on OCD. I found a doctor who was willing to look over my story for accuracy. I think that this doctor got excited about helping "a writer".
There's also a site called http://www.onelook.com that has a reverse look-up feature. You describe a concept and it gives you word choices that are related.
[This message has been edited by MaryRobinette (edited May 08, 2004).]
Pyre, that's the way my mind works, too. From 'physiology' to 'pie.' Trouble is, next thing you know, I'm in the kitchen baking. 
[This message has been edited by Kolona (edited May 08, 2004).]
"bank statement"
"astonishing penis"
Eh. I got nuthin'.
Of course, I didn't have your post so was speaking from memory without a clear idea of the context, but it opened a nice airplane conversation.
Mary
"Tom's readings don't correlate with any of the others."
"The other patients' data show a consistant pattern, Tom's pattern is different."
"Tom's data appears anomolous."
"Tom's readings are inconsistant with the established pattern."
"The population of patients is distrubuted in a nice, normal bell curve. All but Tom. Tom's data is (are) about four standard deviations out!"
[This message has been edited by Doc Brown (edited May 11, 2004).]
Doc, I think you've put me onto something. Thanks.