Coxsackie virus

A friend is in hospital - diagnosis is yet to be achieved. Among the suspects is Coxsackie virus.

There is so much one could do with that name Coxsackie ... so tempting

What demented scientist could possibly give a name like that to a group of viruses? One with a sense of humour no doubt.

According to Wikki, it was Dr. Gibert Dalldorf in 1948-1949 who first discovered them lurking in Albany, New York and Coxsackie is the area he first collected them: faecal specimens from the Hudson River. Of course, what else would you choose to call it? Dalldorfii? Far too egocentric. Hudson? New York? Not specific enough. Albany? Too English.

Imagine saying Coxsackie to a group of 17 year olds. Scientists can be so cruel to future biology teachers. A rubber can be relabelled an eraser, but a carrot will always be a root.

Hospital stays suck like Cocksackie!