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
Author: rjoshimgims
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
Bitten by a snake and to reverse its venom
Rains are here, and soon snakes shall follow. This is a routine in vast swathes of rural tropics, including India. Snakes are an integral part of folklore, as well as of religious texts and mythology. There are many a temples dedicated to the “Snake Gods”, who apparently provide protection and an eternal life. Entire medical… Continue reading Bitten by a snake and to reverse its venom
Alcoholism: From an age-old drink to a medical taboo
As per World Health Organization “Alcohol is a toxic and psychoactive substance with dependence producing properties“. As per WHO estimates, 2.6 million deaths every year are attributable to Alcohol consumption. In India it is estimated that about 160 million individuals consume alcohol, and of these 14 million have a serious alcohol related problem, which we… Continue reading Alcoholism: From an age-old drink to a medical taboo
Some Military medics who made it to philately
Across the world military employs medical doctors in its workforce. This tradition is ancient, and can be traced back to Roman times. While primary task of these military medics was to keep armies fighting fit, and to address injuries and causalities during wars. However, some medics employed in the armed forces made their mark in… Continue reading Some Military medics who made it to philately
How high are your blood pressure values ?
About a third of all adults across the world have high blood pressure values. The numbers are steadily rising, especially in Asia, where most people of the world live. You would know your blood pressure values, only when it gets measured. In fact, only half the people who have high blood pressure, know about it,… Continue reading How high are your blood pressure values ?
Red cross develops a system to communicate with prisoners of war (PoWs)
Prisoner of War management during world wars A less talked about consequence of wars are prisoners of war. These are soldiers of one warring side, that is captured by the other. During the first world war, there were a total of five million such PoWs on the Axis (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman) and the Allied (Britain,… Continue reading Red cross develops a system to communicate with prisoners of war (PoWs)
Hodgkin and Pauling: Two friends with a common cause
This blog is an incredible tale about two scientists, both Nobel laureates, who eventually became friends for life. Dorothy Hodgkin, was a British Chemist was third woman ever to win a Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1964 for her discovery of structure of Vitamin B12. She also discovered structures of Penicillin and Insulin. On the… Continue reading Hodgkin and Pauling: Two friends with a common cause