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When Gabriel Fahrenheit invented the first mercury thermometer, he called "zero degrees" the lowest temperature he was able to attain with a mixture of ice and salt. For the upper point of his scale, he used 96°, which he measured as normal human body temperature (we know it to be 98.6° today because of more accurate thermometers).
Most childhood vaccines are 90–99% effective in preventing disease. Side effects are rarely serious.
In the United States, an estimated 50 million unnecessary antibiotics are prescribed for viral respiratory infections.
People about to have surgery must tell their health care providers about all supplements they take.
Vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate) should be taken before any drug administration. Patients should be informed not to use tobacco or caffeine at least 30 minutes before their appointment.