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Old 07-23-2016, 04:00 AM   #8
johndallman
Night Watchman
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Cambridge, UK
Default Re: [Basic] Skill of the week: Physician and Physiology

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyndaran View Post
I have yet to figure out exactly Physiology means in Gurps. It's not Zoology which covers anatomy. It's an expensive inefficient way to gain the ability to apply medical skills to other species.
The real-world science of physiology is the study of how metabolism works, which fits in between biology (specifically anatomy) and biochemistry. It has sub-fields for different kinds of life.

The GURPS skill seems to be scientific anatomy and physiology for your own species, and closely related ones. This isn't part of Physician because it's possible to be an expert in human physiology without knowing significant amounts of practical medicine. It would make sense for Physiology to be a prerequisite for Physician, Diagnosis and Surgery, at least at TL5+. Biology (Zoology) gives you anatomy for lots of kinds of animals, but not in as much detail as Physiology.
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