--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Statistics are somewhat like old medical…" description: "\"Statistics are somewhat like old medical journals, or like revolvers in newly opened mining districts. Most men rarely use them, and find it troublesom..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03b/john-shaw-billings-59386_access_statistics-are-somewhat-like-old-medical_2126846.jpg" --- # Statistics are somewhat like old medical journals, or like… ![“Statistics are somewhat like old medical journals, or like revolvers in newly opened mining districts. Most men rarely use them, and find it troublesome to preserve them so as to have them easy of access; but when they do want them, they want them badly.” quote by John Shaw Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03b/john-shaw-billings-59386_access_statistics-are-somewhat-like-old-medical_2126846.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03b/john-shaw-billings-59386_access_statistics-are-somewhat-like-old-medical_2126846.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03b/john-shaw-billings-59386_access_statistics-are-somewhat-like-old-medical_2126846.jpg) > “Statistics are somewhat like old medical journals, or like revolvers in newly opened mining districts. Most men rarely use them, and find it troublesome to preserve them so as to have them easy of access; but when they do want them, they want them badly.” [John Shaw Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-shaw-billings/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Statistics are valuable but often overlooked tools, like rare books or firearms in frontier towns, only sought when needed. **In simple terms:** Statistics are useful but rarely used until needed. Key Takeaway Use statistics proactively, not just when crises arise. Themes data utility rarity Mood analytical pragmatic Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - research planning - business analytics - public health reporting - policy making Key Concepts statistics resource management information access Questions to Reflect On - How can you make statistical data more accessible in daily work? - What barriers prevent regular use of statistics? A Different Perspective Statistical tools can be misapplied if not understood. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Access](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/access/) [Data](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/data/) [Medical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medical/) [Medicine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medicine/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mining/) [Revolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolver/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Statistics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/statistics/) ## Related quotes > [It has always struck me that one of the readiest ways of estimating a country's regard for law is to notice what arms the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-dunsany/it-has-always-struck-me-that-one-of-the-readiest-ways-of-estimating-a/) [Lord Dunsany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-dunsany/) > [I know nothing about pistols and revolvers, which is why I usually kill off my characters with a blunt instrument or better with poisons.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agatha-christie/i-know-nothing-about-pistols-and-revolvers-which-is-why-i-usually/) [Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/) > [When we hear phrases like 'New World Order,' we release the safety catches on our revolvers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/when-we-hear-phrases-like-new-world-order-we-release-the-safety/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [ “A doll with skin like that isn't going to mess it up with a revolver shot. \[...\] Revolvers are meant for crocodile-skins like ours.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-sartre/a-doll-with-skin-like-that-isn-t-going-to-mess-it-up-with-a-revolver/) [Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-sartre/) > [Nutrition is an exciting, dynamic field - there are more than 10,000 articles published on human nutrition in medical journals every year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-greger/nutrition-is-an-exciting-dynamic-field-there-are-more-than-10-000/) [Michael Greger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-greger/) > [“The answer came all too quickly. 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