Medical knowledge and technical savvy are biodegradable. The sort of medicine that was practiced in Boston or New York or Atlanta fifty years ago would be as strange to a medical student or intern today as the ceremonial dance of a !Kung San tribe would seem to a rock festival audience in Hackensack.

Summary

This quote highlights the ever-evolving nature of medical advancements and the rapid obsolescence of knowledge and techniques in the field. It suggests that medical practices from the past, even just a few decades ago, would appear foreign and outdated to medical professionals today, much like the stark contrast between the traditional dances of a tribal community and the modern rock concerts. The quote emphasizes the importance of keeping up with the latest developments in medicine due to the perishable nature of medical knowledge and technology.

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