It is extremely rare for a medical doctor to eventually become a Professor of physics. Further, he not only invented opthalmoscope – an instrument we use to look inside an eye, but also unravelled mysteries of sound, principles of mathematics, as well as that of human thought. This person is Hermann Helmholtz, who initially trained as… Continue reading Helmholtz made it possible to look inside the eye
Author: rjoshimgims
Four medical innovations with an Australian link
Early in 2020, Australia Post issued a set of four postage stamps on Medical Innovations. These stamps are bright and attractive, and each of these innovations were disruptive for the existing practices. Lets explore these, from the most recent to the more established. Spray on Skin Cells Fiona Wood is the first woman plastic surgeon… Continue reading Four medical innovations with an Australian link
Health in Stamps was born today, three years ago
Health in stamps, this blog post site turns three today. It was 10th July 2022, when the site was live with its first post. In fact it was borne out of sheer boredom in the preceding months. I had binge-watched one show after another on OTT platforms, swiped one reel after another on instagram, and… Continue reading Health in Stamps was born today, three years ago
Zoonoses: Why diseases from animals now pass on to us
We share a common environment with all other plants and animals. This is not merely a co-existence, but at times a competition for resources such as food and habitat. Our growing numbers, and expansion in available land for settlements, cultivation, and often adventure brings us in a close to the animal kingdom. Micro-organisms live within… Continue reading Zoonoses: Why diseases from animals now pass on to us
Celiac disease: When wheat withers you down
Celiac Disease is an uncommon occurrence, and it affects less than 1% of people world-wide. Those who have it, suffer from diarrhea, bloating, and pain in abdomen. Their intestines do-not absorb nutrients as well, and so they often develop anemia, iron and vitamin deficiencies. Weakened bones, and dysfunctional nerves also take their toll. If it… Continue reading Celiac disease: When wheat withers you down
Widal: A century old blood test and its creator
Widal test is commonly used across tropical countries, in an attempt to find out if a person with fever, has typhoid. This popular test is named after its creator, Georges-Fernand-Isidor Widal, a French physician-scientist. While the test is still popular in areas where typhoid fever is a concern, medical texts rather focus on problems with… Continue reading Widal: A century old blood test and its creator
Olive branches and white doves
Olives Olives are native to Mediterranean region, but are also grown in various other parts of the world. This slow growing plant, does not need much of water to grow. Its oil, as well as fruit have many reported health benefits from preventing diabetes, cancers, obesity and heart diseases. Two olive branches are also a… Continue reading Olive branches and white doves
Heparin: A blood drug first found in Liver
Heparin a naturally occurring substances in many animals. It is an important drug to treat heart attacks and clots in our arteries and veins. We also use it when we want blood not to clot, and to keep it flowing through artificial conduits such as dialysis and vascular catheters. Discovery of heparin was also quite… Continue reading Heparin: A blood drug first found in Liver
Blood, when it was either black or white
It was between the years 1900-02, when Karl Landsteiner and colleagues discovered blood groups A, B, AB and neither A nor B (or O). This discovery not only led to a Nobel Prize in the year 1930, but also brought in a concept of blood banks. When the first blood banks were set up (Leningrad… Continue reading Blood, when it was either black or white
How did armies started having their own medical corps
Injuries were expected during wars, but neither doctors nor individuals with medical know-how were an integral part of the armed forces. These were either volunteers, or could be requisitioned for a short period of time. Such medics were mostly carrying out their profession in the civilian population. The earliest account of dedicated surgeons or physicians… Continue reading How did armies started having their own medical corps