Pus can be distinguished from mucus, wrote Dr. Samuel Cooper in his 1823 Dictionary of Practical Surgery, by its "sweetish mawkish" taste and a "smell peculiar to itself." To the doctor who is still struggling with the distinction, perhaps because he has endeavored to learn surgery from a dictionary, Cooper offers this: "Pus sinks in water; mucus floats."
In her book "Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal," Mary Roach references Dr. Samuel Cooper's observations from his 1823 Dictionary of Practical Surgery. Cooper provides a unique perspective on distinguishing pus from mucus, highlighting the differences in taste and odor. He notes that pus has a "sweetish mawkish" taste and a distinctive smell, which could aid in identification for those in the medical field.
Additionally, Cooper simplifies the distinction further by offering a practical test: pus sinks in water while mucus floats. This pragmatic approach serves as a useful guideline for surgeons, emphasizing that understanding these bodily substances is essential for medical practice.
