S for SCATOLOGY

Scatology is the study of feces. Scatological studies allow one to determine a wide range of biological information about  a creature, including its diet and subsequently where it has been. It also provides information about health and disease such as tapeworms. 

I studied scat and used the science of scatology for pest identification years ago (don't you just love how sciency that all sounds when all it really means is--I knew my shit back then). For those who may not know, I used to work in the pest management industry as an entomologist. Identifying the proper pest species is vital to the success of any integrated pest management program (duh!). Sometimes, identification came down to identifying fecal pellets your client handed you in a zip-lock bag (and that's if you're lucky). The droppings vary among different rat species and you don't control an infestation of Rattus norvegicus if your dealing with Rattus rattus. And believe it or not, in dry environments, American cockroach droppings can be confused with mouse droppings by the untrained eye. And you certainly don't want to get these two pest species mixed up, especially not in front of your client. Ok, well I think that's it with the below-the-belt posts. I know it's been nuts since my P post!

Other scary S_ology words

Sarcology: The study of the soft parts of the body. This includes myology, angiology, neurology, and splanchnology.

Satanology: The study of Satan.

Selenology: The scientific study of the moon, its movements in the heavens, kinetic influences it has upon other astronomical bodies as well as the effects it receives. 

Sexology:  The interdisciplinary scientific study of human sexuality. This includes human sexual interests, behavior, and function. The term does not generally refer to the non-scientific study of sex, such as political analysis or social criticism. In modern sexology, researchers apply tools from several academic fields, including biology, medicine, psychology, statistics, epidemiology, sociology, anthropology, and criminology. Sexologists also study sexual development (puberty), sexual orientation, the development of sexual relationships, as well as the mechanics of sexual intercourse. This field also includes the study of the sexualities of specific groups, such as the disabled, child development, adolescents, and the elderly. Sexologists additionally study sexual dysfunctions, disorders, and variations, including such widely varying topics as erectile dysfunction, anorgasmia, and pedophilia.

Sitiology: The study of diet and nourishment. 

Spongology: The science and study of the sponges. Not the moldy ones soaking in your kitchen sink, the ones living in marine environments, like Sponge Bob. Yes, this is the study of Sponge Bob. 

Stigmeology: The study of punctuation.

Stomatology: The branch of medicine relating to the mouth and mouth disease. Practiced by physicians as a medical specialty in the early 20th century in the United States, these concerns are now largely handled by dentists.