Understanding

         The learning curve of my elementary education at Hickman Street School, Winchester, KY, had its ups and downs. [middle 1950s - middle 1960s] Defining words and their correct meaning was one challenge that frequently blocked intended communication. Anyhow, here is an example of a fourth grade English class exercise that was often told among the learning folks of the days.

        An English teacher in her definition exercises class, ask one bright Bluegrass youth, to define two words. Then, they were to use these words in an appropriate sentence. The words were "DEFENCE" and "DETAIL". Now, after a few seconds of deep thought ... the reply ...

                                         "De'head went over De'fence before De'tail. 

Insight

         For most folks, head lice and ticks were not a frequent topic of conversations during one's social gatherings. That is, unless you taught clinical parasitology! Many, many times such issues were discussed during my 20 plus years of educating individuals in various settings. Let's see now, medical schools (2nd year microbiology), residency programs, hospitals, emergency rooms, graduate schools and, oh yes ... back yard barbeques, neighborhood picnics, church parking lots, etc. you get the picture. Anyhow, here is a scan from my teaching collections.

         It is a scan from a woodcut (artist and engraver unknown), first printed Andrew Boorde [1548?] titled no less, The fyrst boke of the introduction of knowledge! What a deal. It is intending to show an Irishwomen picking lice from the head of a kern. All this to give the insight from another long ago.

            "You see a louse on someone else, but not a tick on yourself."   Petronius [d. 66 A.D.]

P.S. Woodcut from my RN # 23. Quote from my Jenney's FIRST YEAR LATIN, p. 229. [pub. 1959]

       Caius Petronius (d. 66 A.D.) described Elegantiae Arbiter ! Committed suicide by order Nero.