Index Home The year 1923 was a landmark of sorts for medical philately. On 25th of May, France issued a Louis Pasteur postage stamp. This was the first time, a medical scientist was on a postage stamp. (Barring E Espajo, a doctor-nationalist leader who had featured on a stamp from Ecuador in 1899). Science had finally… Continue reading Science gives a gentle nudge to the monarchs !!
Author: rjoshimgims
One stamp one story: Flexible endoscopy
Index Home Need and desire to peep through small holes, to identify and treat human diseases was always there. Challenge was how to make it happen. Real efforts started early in 19th century with small tubes and candle light (Phillip Bozzini 1806; Uteroscope). Over next 100 years, we had long rigid tubes, and light bulb that… Continue reading One stamp one story: Flexible endoscopy
One stamp one story: Inflamed Bowel
Index Home Each stamp has a story to tell. These are lucky few, where I have either one, or just a few to weave a story. These medical themes may be rare, uncommon, or out of sight for those who do not have them. Further, their limited advocacy may have led to only a small number… Continue reading One stamp one story: Inflamed Bowel
A curious case of the “missing” anaesthetist
Index Home Many laurels in surgery rest on the shoulders of Anaesthesia and Antisepsis. Anaesthesia is a science that can make a person stuporous, and withstand pain during surgery. On the other hand antisepsis is a set of practices that reduces chances of an infection during a surgery. While anaesthesia was officially born on 16th October… Continue reading A curious case of the “missing” anaesthetist
Empowering people with a disability
Index Home Valentin Hauy (1745-1822), a linguist and an interpreter in the Royal court, established world’s first school for the blind, in Paris. This was in 1785, when families either kept visually impaired children hidden in their homes, or got them admitted them to an asylum. Valentin developed elevated letters, that could be felt with fingers.… Continue reading Empowering people with a disability
Coming out of the disability closet
Index Home It took global community, more than thirty-five years just to come out of their disability closet. Thirty-five years is a gross understatement, as we shift our start-line to 1945, end of the Second World War. We were fresh from the horrors that were inflicted by Nazi Germany on the civilian population. In 1948, all… Continue reading Coming out of the disability closet
A mirror of the past and our wall of shame
Index Home Postage stamps are a mirror of our past. Often, less than a square inch of space, sums up prevalent societal, political, and behavioural norms. Our past perceptions, as well as discrimination meted out on individuals with disability, will remain as our wall of shame. Postage stamps, issued prior to 1980s, are its glaring testimony.… Continue reading A mirror of the past and our wall of shame
Red Cross in a peace time role
Index Home While Red Cross was borne out of war, its National societies are engaged in various peace time health actions. These actions include first-aid, disaster relief, blood banking and a range of community health services. Today, in many countries Red Cross operates emergency response teams, contributes to relief efforts after natural and man-made disasters, runs… Continue reading Red Cross in a peace time role
Hundred years of international committee of Red Cross (1863-1963)
Index Home This is fourth in the series of Red-Cross philately blogs. Here we focus on Red Cross stamps from 1963, a year when International committee of Red Cross (ICRC) turned hundred. This was yet another occasion, for the entire world to show solidarity. Just a year ago in 1962, more than 100 countries created a… Continue reading Hundred years of international committee of Red Cross (1863-1963)
Growth of National Societies and Red Cross movement
Index Home Red Cross Movement started in 1863, and the very next year invited delegates from 12 nations had their first conference in Geneva. The founding members agreed that different countries, who agree with the underlying principles of humanity, could form their own National Societies. While the initial purpose of International Red Cross was to take… Continue reading Growth of National Societies and Red Cross movement