# Attn: Qadgop the Mercotan
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [August 2, 2001, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694 "2001-08-02T21:14:56Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2001, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694/1 "2001-08-02T21:14:56Z")
I just want to thank you for your little helpful medical hints/tips that you give no charge to your fellow dopers. I know you have given me advice once or twice and it was very appreciated. I also enjoy reading the advice you give others… and no, I’m not brown-nosing to get you to write out some, uh, necessary, uh,\* “prescriptions” \*for me either 😉
Thanks
BTW - Something I have been curious about. Does your name “mean anything” in particular?
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### Author:  [@Lyra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lyra)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2001, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694/2 "2001-08-03T01:10:40Z")
I just want to agree that it is nice having Qadgop around. And I also wonder about his name. And, I want to bump this so he’ll tell us. So come on in and explain Qadgop!!!
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### Author:  [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2001, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694/3 "2001-08-03T01:20:14Z")
I think the name is a reference from an old science fiction series called the [“Lensman”](http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us/~zlensman/lensfaq.html).
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### Author:  [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2001, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694/4 "2001-08-03T01:32:55Z")
I’ll jump in to add my voice to the praise. He’s helped me out a few times, and is always informative and thorough.
Now, I’ve got this cough…
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### Author:  [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2001, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694/5 "2001-08-03T01:38:10Z")
Here’s an appreciation thread I can get into. What to say about Qadgop? Is he a doctor or isn’t he?
**Is a doctor**
A. Is smarter than we are…way smarter.
B. Cares about each and every one of us, despite A.
C. Probably owns a sphygmomanometer.
**Is not a doctor**
A. Would never call a popsicle stick an “oral examination speculum” or a bag of ice a “cryotherapy accouterment” in order to charge us an arm and a leg for a popsicle stick and a bag of ice.
B. Has common sense and is likeable, more a trait of movie/TV doctors.
C. Clearly explains the morphological differences between acetabulate and bothriate scolices _with a funny joke._
In any case, I’ve said it before, he sure makes me feel better.
This is overdue Qadgop, come feel the _love_!
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### Author:  [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2001, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694/6 "2001-08-03T01:41:01Z")
Most important of all, he knows when to say “see your doctor” and when not to. We love you man.
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### Author:  [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2001, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694/7 "2001-08-03T01:42:48Z")
Plus he’s a UU. That alone is worth _killer_ props.
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### Author:  [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2001, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694/8 "2001-08-03T01:49:12Z")
All this free-flowing love just makes me want to turn to the left and cough.
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### Author:  [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2001, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694/9 "2001-08-03T01:54:45Z")
Hey, **Jack** , make sure you only turn your _head_ to the left, or you’re definitely going to need a doctor.
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### Author:  [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2001, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694/10 "2001-08-03T01:55:56Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by eunoia \*
> \*\*Here’s an appreciation thread I can get into. What to say about Qadgop? Is he a doctor or isn’t he?
>
> \*\*
Is a doctor. Can tell us about his old injuries with clinical precison. (How’s the shoulder Qad?)
Not a doctor. I understand every word he writes.
I think I may have told you this before. Don’t ever change.
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### Author:  [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2001, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694/11 "2001-08-03T02:36:19Z")
I’ve loved the man for months.
He can lance one of my boils anytime.
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### Author:  [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2001, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694/12 "2001-08-03T02:40:36Z")
Qadgop uses the whole fist.
[sup]Mooooon river…[/sup]
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### Author:  [@Albert\_Rose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Albert_Rose)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2001, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694/13 "2001-08-03T02:46:32Z")
He’s a psychiatrist.
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### Author:  [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2001, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694/14 "2001-08-03T02:49:08Z")
Yep, he’s a peach. Helped me out when I was hopelessly frustrated with my husband’s psychiatrist.
Thanks, man. Things are much better now. 😃
Love, Persephone
[sub]…who will drop her truly beloved MD like a bad habit on the day that Qadgop decides to become a gynecologist…[/sub]
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### Author:  [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2001, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694/15 "2001-08-03T03:04:21Z")
Here’s Qadgop’s own [explanation](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?postid=1329850#post1329850).
I believe it refers to an episode in the Lensmen series, one of the greatest space operas, where one of the Lensmen poses as an author who writes space opera - a nice little self-referential gibe by Doc Smith.
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### Author:  [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2001, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694/16 "2001-08-03T03:08:13Z")
Heck of a nice guy, really. Say, while he’s around, you think he could take a look at this? It’s a little sore, I think I bumped it on something. My leg is killing me, man!
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### Author:  [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2001, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694/17 "2001-08-03T03:38:49Z")
Gee, my own appreciation thread! I’m touched! Thanks, gang. It’s been my pleasure to share in this board and your lives, and I hope I’ve lived up to the prime directive of medicine; “primum non nocere” or “first do no harm.”
**bernse** thank you for your words, but try not to think of what I write as advice, but as “some facts and possible options based on my experience”. That’s what I try to deliver here, but occasionally fail to, 'cuz it’s sooo much fun telling people what to do! Then acting all high and mighty and snooty when they don’t. But I’m getting better at mellowing out. Really.
**eunoia** I’m not way smarter than this crowd, that’s why I like hanging out here. Also, as near as I can figure, scolices are a type of parasite, while acetabulate refers to the hip socket in the pelvis. Q: What’s the difference between the bothriate scolices and the acetabulate? A: The former can induce an eosinophilic granulomatous response, while the latter is often subjected to oral chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine supplements!!! Get it? Hahahahah! God, that one really cracks me up!
**biggirl** I’m just this guy. But I did earn a medical degree along the way. Kisses to ya. Shoulder’s acting up a little, but nothing major.
BTW, I’m a family physician, a generalist, a bit of everything. We’re considered absolutely essential to the healthcare of the populace, but the specialists generally consider us none too bright. I went this route 'cuz I wanted to be generally useful in most any medical situation. No big regrets so far.
So thanks all for letting me bask in the adulation of my peers! And if we meet in a medical situation, there’ll be no charge for any needed digital rectal exams! And I only use one finger!
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### Author:  [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2001, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694/18 "2001-08-03T04:15:16Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Qadgop the Mercotan \*
> \*\* And if we meet in a medical situation, there’ll be no charge for any needed digital rectal exams! And I only use one finger! \*\*
One finger? What a ripoff. I thought you _cared_, man.
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### Author:  [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2001, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694/19 "2001-08-03T04:37:48Z")
You’re welcome.
🙂
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### Author:  [@Whammo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whammo)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2001, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-qadgop-the-mercotan/74694/20 "2001-08-03T04:43:20Z")
I am as appreciative as everyone else, you RULE the answer why my stuff is swollen/red/leaking/smelly kingdom! We LOVE that! We NEEEEED that! However you sure seem to have a lot of time to visit the message board for a doctor\*… how come?
-
**note that I do not have any doctor friends or relatives so I do not really know how much extranious time doctors really have… the only thing I have is my mental image… oh and lets just not go there**
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