Index Home Albert Einstein In 1921, at 42 years of age, Einstein was a Nobel Laureate. He was a celebrated physicist, a genius, and a sought after speaker. The next year, he was representing Germany on International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation of the League of Nations. Based out of Berlin, he was touring around the world. In 1933,… Continue reading Einstein gets operated and Nissen is his surgeon
Author: rjoshimgims
A Canadian and an Indian doctor who served in China
Index Home In 1931 Japan had occupied Manchuria, in north eastern China. This marked beginning of Japanese occupation of China. Six years later, in 1937 Japan occupied larger Chinese territory. Thus began Sino-Japanese wars from 1937 to 1945. This war was devastating, with large casualties on the Chinese side. The republican and communist Chinese sides were… Continue reading A Canadian and an Indian doctor who served in China
Siebold: A German doctor, who served Dutch, and lived in Japan
Index Home 19th century was an age of exploration. European powers were in unchartered waters, and their expeditions were now in far ends of the world. Rare breed of such explorers were doctors, who travelled far to quench their curiosities. Philipp Franz Balthasar von Siebold, or Siebold for this blog, was one of them. Born on… Continue reading Siebold: A German doctor, who served Dutch, and lived in Japan
Dr Schweitzer: A charismatic persona and an incredible journey
Index Home Dr Schweitzer lived for 90 years, between 1875 and 1965. He spent his life in turbulent times, and gained tremendous respect on either sides of the fence. With many unmatched talents, he was a philosopher, musician, physician, philanthropist and a human right activist. He also has an incredible postal presence, honoured not only by… Continue reading Dr Schweitzer: A charismatic persona and an incredible journey
Public health led modern medicine to embrace midwifery
Index Home Midwifery is an ancient profession. The word itself means with-women (mid=with, wif=women). Traditional definition of a midwife is a “woman, who is trained to assist other women in childbirth”. Tradition of women helping each other in childbirth is old. In almost all indigenous cultures, midwifery is a family tradition. Over the years, this tradition also passed on to religious institutions and congregations.… Continue reading Public health led modern medicine to embrace midwifery
Semmelweis and his struggle for a simple handwash
Index Home Washing hands is a simple, low cost, and an obvious health-promoting measure. Yet, we need not one, but two days in a year to reinforce its need. 5th May every year is a World hand hygiene day, and 15th October, a global hand-washing day. In mid-19th century, a doctor named Semmelweis struggled to introduce… Continue reading Semmelweis and his struggle for a simple handwash
How big and complex is our genetic code: A philately journey
Index Home Our body is a collection of cells, that give shape to our organs, structure, function, thoughts, language, and behaviour. We are a collection of about 30 trillion cells and 38 trillion bacteria who live within. Each of these cells have a beginning. It was a single cell when our lives began, and then over… Continue reading How big and complex is our genetic code: A philately journey
Stethoscope: An integral tool in medical practice
Index Home First stethoscope was invented only in 1816. While this 200 year old instrument, is quite synonymous with medical practice, it is more of a physician’s tool. It has evolved, both in its appearance, as well as its utility. It has the same mysticism, as the symbol of medicine – the staff and the intertwined… Continue reading Stethoscope: An integral tool in medical practice
Neglected tropical illnesses and their postage stamps
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
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