Author: rjoshimgims

Iodine While salt is ancient, Iodine is relatively recent. It was 1811, and Europe was perpetually in a war. Gun-powder was in a short supply, and a French Chemist Bernard Courtois was experimenting, on how to make more of it. In the process, he poured acid over sea-weed. A cloud of violet fumes erupted, which… Continue reading Iodine, salt and smiling sun: A forgotten story

Many doctors may have come across a Monthly Medical Journal “The Antiseptic“. This Journal – A monthly publication of medicine and Surgery, was established in the year 1904, in Madras (now Chennai). This Journal was started by Dr U Rama Rau and Dr TM Nair. Both of them were medical doctors, as well as active… Continue reading Dr TM Nair: A doctor politician in Madras Presidency

Mirror reflects. It is so honest, that we frequently invoke a mirror for a reality check. In ancient times, mirrors were an item of luxury, made up from polished metals. Mercury coated glass mirrors were developed in quite a secrecy in 16th century Central Europe. They became more cheap and popular only in 19th century,… Continue reading Mirror, mirror on the wall… light it bends, to show it all.

We all aspire to be healthy, yet with each passing day we navigate through its risks. Most of these risks are unseen, hidden in details, and they often impact us in a very subtle manner. It is almost like an eerie pale silhouette, which lives far away from public view, distant and forgotten. In 2001… Continue reading Silhouettes of risk and their impact on our healthy lives

Unión Postal de las Américas, España y Portugal or UPAEP is a postal organization of 28 member countries. It was set up in the year 1911 to improve postal linkages across countries of South and North Americas. Nine founding members in 1911 (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Equador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay) were later joined… Continue reading The first multinational HIV philately campaign by UPAEP 2000

Bassini and his injury Edoardo Bassini was an Italian surgeon, and as the fate would have it he devoted his life for a perfect hernia repair. Born in 1844, he graduated in basic medicine at a young age of 22. Nationalism pushed him to the war-zone. In 1867 an enemy bayonet pierced his right groin,… Continue reading Bassini led the way for a perfect hernia repair

The prize It was 1906, and the Nobel committee declared that that years Prize for medicine was to be given for visualization of Neurons. It was to be shared by Camillo Golgi from Italy, and Ramon Y Cajal from Spain. These two pathologists had both seen the previously unseen neurons. In fact Cajal had improvised… Continue reading Golgi and Cajal: Two adversaries who shared a Nobel Prize

On 19th August 2025, Sickle Cell elimination mission announced that it had completed screening of 6 crore individuals. As of now the program envisages screening entire population (upto 18 years of age) in tribal dominated districts of 17 states of India (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra… Continue reading Sickle cell elimination is on a mission mode

Advent of Lunatic Asylums in India British traders came to India in the 17th century, and over next 150 years became colonialists. The year 1757 is considered as a turning point in Indian history, as after battle of Plassey, British East India company (EIC) became a political and governing entity. Along with the loot, plunder,… Continue reading Lunatic asylums: Borne out of shame and contempt

Finsen’s chemical light to heal Niels Finsen was born in 1860 in Faroe Islands, a remote Danish territory located in the North Atlantic between Iceland and Norway. He lived on for only 44 years, and had his struggles with a rare congenital disease. Yet, he went on to become a doctor, and treat many a… Continue reading Finsen’s Nobel Prize for letting light to heal