While gouty arthritis is diagnosed by aspiration of joint fluid, distinguishing tendinitis versus a sprain versus a fracture requires a clinical examination and possibly an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging.

CNN: Do I have gout or tendinitis?

So you'd probably find a 17th century doctor quite at home with the clinical examination side of medicine as it stands today, but of course all the diagnostic tests would be considered as witchcraft.

BBC: Our medieval medicine

Although those groups have recommended annual mammography and clinical breast examination by a health care provider starting at age 40, other respected organizations have pointed out that mammography is a far better test for women age 50 and over.

CNN: Should I get a mammogram?

Monthly self-examination has been abandoned in favor of breast awareness after several clinical trials showed that monthly self-examination did not save lives.

CNN: Should I get a mammogram?

The study conclusions have now been confirmed through a re-examination by one of the leading independent institutions in the country (Duke Clinical Research Institute).

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