Index Home All diseases are not equal. While some get more attention, others are neglected. This unequal treatment is often due to either a threat-perception, our ability to make a change, or simply because fewer people talk about them. Further, modern medicine has always had its focus on disease-threats in the northern hemisphere. For instance, tuberculosis… Continue reading Neglected tropical illnesses and their postage stamps
Author: rjoshimgims
Three pioneer physiologists, who found how do our bodies work
Index Home We often wonder how human and animal bodies work ? Our bodies are an incredible assembly of countless systems. These systems make us see, run, hear, feel, move, talk, taste, react, think, interact, memorise and conceptualise. Further, these increasingly complex actions, are mostly harmonious, like a lifelong orchestra. Physiology is a branch of biology,… Continue reading Three pioneer physiologists, who found how do our bodies work
Lets count 75 years of World health days
World Health Organization was established in 1948. Since 1950, we observe 7th April as World Health Day (WHD) and we have a different theme every year. In the following section, I have listed year wise themes. Each theme is illustrated by one postage stamp. While the stamp does not always match the year, but attempts… Continue reading Lets count 75 years of World health days
When sun, air, water and food treated Tuberculosis
Index Home Let’s begin this story in 1906. This is the year of first ever postage stamp on tuberculosis (TB). On 21st December, Netherlands issued a postage stamp. This was a semi-postal Christmas charity, where postal authorities sold 1c, 3c, 5c stamps at double the price. One half went to postage. They gave the other to… Continue reading When sun, air, water and food treated Tuberculosis
Medical books and journals in postal stamps
Index Home Every budding doctor needs to read many books. These medical books are not only an integral part of training, but also a companion for life. Today, in this world of information explosion, books compete with journals. Journals are a collection of periodic updates, newer thoughts, and renewed experiences. With innumerable medical books and about… Continue reading Medical books and journals in postal stamps
Lively Liver and Kind Kidneys
Index Home Liver is single, kidneys are in a pair. Our hollow intestines absorb whatever we eat or drink, and send it to more solid liver to process. It’s cells undergo a flurry of activities. Liver cells create substances, store nutrients, and let-go of things we do not need. Feed makes it busy, and starvation busier… Continue reading Lively Liver and Kind Kidneys
How to hear, and listen for the unsaid
Index Home In 2007, World Health Organization established 3rd March as World Hearing Day. Apparently, we chose the date, as it is written as 3-3, and symbolizes two ears. The day is especially devoted to those who cannot hear so well, and to all others so that we can prevent hearing loss. Interestingly, hearing is the… Continue reading How to hear, and listen for the unsaid
Rare stamps for rare diseases
Index Home All health systems are designed to take care of common ailments. Postage stamps also pick up only those health themes, that are common. To put in numbers, diabetes and hypertension are common. Today, these conditions affect as many as 1 or 2 of every 10 adults respectively. Some other health ailments are even more… Continue reading Rare stamps for rare diseases
Compassion in healthcare and its imagery in postage stamps
Index Home Empathy and compassion are integral to healthcare. Most patients seek care when they have discomfort, infirmity or incapacitation. Compassion is a concern for another person’s discomfort. It is not possible to provide care, without concern. However people have different concern-reactions. For some it is a mere obligation, to listen and to abruptly close the… Continue reading Compassion in healthcare and its imagery in postage stamps
Story behind the first Nobel Prize in Medicine
Index Home The Nobel Prize was instituted in 1901, and the first Nobel in medicine was warded to Von Behring. He shared stage with other luminaries such as Rontgen for Physics, and Henry Dunant for Peace. However, the story behind the first Nobel in Medicine was not without its share of controversies. The award was for… Continue reading Story behind the first Nobel Prize in Medicine