Mistakes

I just noticed the note under the title on my book.  It says "A Surgeon's Note on an Imperfect Science".  While reading this book, i have come to learn how much medicine is an imperfect science.  Atul Gawande tells of a story were a car crash victim comes into the ER, and they try to intubate her (tube down the throat to help breathing).  The resident failed the first time, and tried again.  In doing this, he caused inflammation in the throat making breathing for her impossible.  Reading this really sent home the point that surgeons are just like everyone else.  They can make mistakes too.