DIARY GAME//4-12-2023//THE WATERY EYE

GREETINGS

Hello, distinguished Steemians, I would like to thank all of you for the encouragement I've received from every one of you and your contributions to the incredible impact of this community on humanity. I adjourned you to keep this up. Today, I would like us to roll with an eye-watering experience that happened on Monday,4th December, 2023.

THE SCIENTIST'S ROOM

There is always a place where scientists practicalised scientific theoretical concepts.
No human would want to counter unpleasant circumstances in such a place but most times we find ourselves entangled in them either as a result of carelessness on our path or that of others. I happened to be a victim of such circumstances but it was as a result of someone's carelessness. It all happened last week Monday while we were carrying out an analysis in the science laboratory.

THE RESEARCHERS' ARRIVAL

We arrived at the laboratory on time as usual. The technologist applied the guided-inquiry laboratory method where we were given an introduction of what's expected of us in the experiment. After the introductory session, we were instructed to work in groups of 10 and to be very careful with the analysis because we were working with an unknown concentrated acid and the aim of the experiment was to ascertain the molecular mass of the unknown acid using the principles of thermodynamics.
I and the group leader went to get the apparatus which were an improvised calorimeter, thermometer and stirrer, other apparatus and reagents were positioned on a particular workbench to be accessed by every group.
We were instructed to use hand gloves while proceeding with the experiment to avoid acid burns.

THE MOVEMENT OF GLASSWARES

We started the experiment by taking the recommended volume of the Ionized water using the measuring cylinder. It took me some time to do that because the place was congested with students who also wanted to carry out the same exercises. The number of students in the laboratory was too much for the capacity of the laboratory which was unethical but we just have to continue.
When I got to where we had the unknown concentrated acid students were already there so we had to wait for our turn.

MY SKIN AND THE ACID

On getting the measuring cylinder I carefully measured the needed volume of the acid. I was about to empty the acid into the improvised calorimeter when a student who was in the process of getting her quantity of the acid had her hands knocked by an unknown person which then allowed her hand to graciously empty the concentrated acid on my hand which was in the process of emptying the content it was holding. This accident ended my participation in the experiment.

AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE JOURNALISTS

My coursemates and others in the lab came around to submit their condolences which I wholeheartedly accepted in pain. Some were curious to know what exactly happened and I had to narrate what happened to those that were far away from the accident spot. It was as if I was in an interview on a television station. As a good scientist, I had to immediately use some reagents that could help neutralize the effect of the acid. I later had to visit the school health centre for proper medical attention.

THE KNOCK ON THE HOSPITAL'S DOOR

The day I decided to register with the school clinic after many times of trials I told myself that I wasn't registering to get treatment from the clinic but to avoid some unnecessary stress during my final screening for convocation. I never knew I would go knocking on different doors in the school clinic for treatment. I was left with no choice but to pay the clinic an emergency visit. A friend that shows up in time of need is a friend indeed.
I was accompanied by one of my friends but others came to the clinic, waited for me to get the necessary treatment and I felt loved by this set of people.

THE KIND STAFF

On arriving at the clinic I went to the card room though I wasn't with my card the staff I met was kind enough to search for my file based on the day I got registered.
I got to the OPD hall where my blood pressure was measured and thereafter I was called in by the doctor who examined my hand where I had the acid burn. She made prescriptions. I then went to the pharmacy to get the drugs except one that wasn't on the shelves which I had to buy with my funds. I finally got to the casualty and accident unit where the spot was properly dressed by a nurse.
This whole incident reminded me of a type of learning known as experiential learning and to be extremely careful of the kind of person I should allow around when carrying out experiments in the laboratory and not to work in a crowded laboratory.