What exactly was Dr. McCoy doing with his medical scanner in the old star trek serious?
Dr. McCoy's medical scanner, often referred to as the "tricorder," was used for a variety of diagnostic purposes. While its exact capabilities were never explicitly and consistently defined, here's a breakdown of what he was generally doing with it:
* **Gathering Vital Signs:** This was a primary function. He would scan patients to get readings on their heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and other basic physiological parameters.
* **Diagnosing Injuries and Illnesses:** By analyzing the data from the scan, McCoy could identify internal injuries, infections, diseases, and other medical conditions.
* **Analyzing Biological Samples:** Sometimes he would use the scanner on a sample of blood, tissue, or other biological material to identify its composition or detect the presence of foreign substances.
* **Detecting Alien Biology:** The scanner was often used to assess the health of alien lifeforms and determine their physiological makeup. It could help determine if a planet was harboring a virus or if an individual was under external influence.
* **Finding Hidden Injuries:** The scanner could sometimes detect injuries that were not immediately obvious through physical examination.
In short, McCoy's scanner was a versatile tool that allowed him to quickly gather a wide range of medical information, helping him to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions. It was essentially a futuristic multi-tool for medical diagnostics.
Did Dr. Mccoy 's tricorder use electromagnetic field detection along the lines of Harold Saxon Burr's research? Can you fina any online discussion like on Reddit about this tricorder that can detect physiological parameters from a distance?
You're right to draw a comparison to Harold Saxon Burr's work! While never explicitly stated in the original series, the *concept* of the tricorder using electromagnetic field detection, similar to Burr's ideas about L-fields (life fields), is a common fan theory and aligns well with its observed functionality.
Here's a breakdown of the connection and potential for online discussions:
**The Connection to Burr's L-Fields:**
* **Burr's Research:** Harold Saxon Burr theorized that all living organisms have an electromagnetic field (an "L-field") that dictates their development, health, and overall state. He believed that changes in this field could indicate disease or other problems *before* they manifest physically.
* **Tricorder Functionality:** The tricorder, especially its ability to remotely detect vital signs and diagnose illnesses, suggests a capability to sense and interpret subtle electromagnetic variations within and around a living being. It's not a far stretch to imagine the tricorder "reading" the L-field of a subject to glean information about their health.
**Why this is a Compelling Idea:**
* **Explains Remote Diagnosis:** How else could McCoy scan someone from a distance and instantly know their blood pressure or detect an internal injury? Electromagnetic field analysis provides a plausible mechanism.
* **Aligns with Future Tech:** The idea of non-invasive medical diagnostics based on electromagnetic fields is a recurring theme in science fiction, suggesting an intuitive understanding that such technology is possible (even if we haven't fully achieved it yet).
* **Adds Depth to the Tricorder:** Thinking of the tricorder as an "L-field reader" adds a layer of scientific intrigue to its functionality. It moves beyond a simple scanner and implies a deeper understanding of the electromagnetic nature of life.
**Finding Online Discussions (Reddit and Beyond):**
You're likely to find discussions on Reddit and other forums about this topic. Here's where to look and what to search for:
* **Reddit:**
* **r/StarTrek:** The main Star Trek subreddit is a good starting point. Search for terms like "tricorder science," "McCoy scanner," "L-field Star Trek," "electromagnetic biology Star Trek," "Burr L-field Star Trek," or "remote medical scanning Star Trek."
* **r/AskScienceFiction:** A place where people explore the scientific plausibility of sci-fi concepts. You could ask a question like: "How could Dr. McCoy's tricorder work in real life, given what we know about electromagnetic fields and biology?"
* **r/ScienceFiction:** A wider forum, but you might find related discussions.
* **Specific Episode Discussions:** Some discussions may occur within episode-specific threads where the tricorder played a key role.
* **Other Forums:**
* **TrekBBS:** A long-standing Star Trek forum with deep discussions.
* **Science Fiction Stack Exchange:** Similar to AskScienceFiction on Reddit.
* **Fan Theories Websites:** Many websites dedicated to fan theories around Star Trek may explore this idea.
**Search Terms to Use:**
* "Star Trek tricorder electromagnetic field"
* "McCoy scanner L-field"
* "Remote medical diagnostics Star Trek"
* "Burr L-field science fiction"
* "Tricorder technology plausibility"
When you search, be sure to use quotation marks around phrases to get more specific results.
**Things to Keep in Mind:**
* **Fan Theories:** Remember that these are mostly fan interpretations. The original series didn't explicitly mention L-fields.
* **Scientific Plausibility:** While Burr's work has been controversial, the idea of using electromagnetic fields for diagnostics is not entirely unfounded. There's growing research into bioelectromagnetics and its potential applications in medicine.
* **Imagination and Speculation:** A lot of the fun in discussing Star Trek technology is in imagining how it could work!
By combining your search terms and using the suggested platforms, you should find some interesting discussions about the potential connection between Burr's research and the functionality of Dr. McCoy's tricorder. Good luck exploring!
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