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
Author: rjoshimgims
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
The first postage stamp was born on 1st May 1840
Index Home It was Friday on 1st of May 1840, when first postage stamp was born. It was for use five days later, next Wednesday on 6th of May. Credit for this stamp goes to Sir Rowland Hill, initially a teacher by profession, but better known for invention of first postage stamp and postal reforms. I… Continue reading The first postage stamp was born on 1st May 1840
Ensuring basic health needs: A concept with many names
Index Home Health is dear to all, and we all strive to be in pink of our health all the time. Principles of health maintenance are simple, though repetitive actions. While it is a readily acceptable concept that basic health needs should be available to all, globally we have struggled with its execution. There are quite… Continue reading Ensuring basic health needs: A concept with many names
Gut and Liver: how did we get to know them well
Food is essential for life. A popular view, till 17th century was that our body absorbs food, that is directly converted by Liver into blood. While this view was later refuted (as blood is formed inside our bones), yet food does provide all the essential and required ingredients. Better nutrition, indeed is better health, and… Continue reading Gut and Liver: how did we get to know them well
Eye of Horus and ocular symbolism
Index Home Recently I had the pleasure of collective viewing of one of my stamp albums with a co-philatelist. He stopped at a first day cover, that had a peculiar sketch. Eye of Horus it is, he exclaimed. I was clueless, but he went on with the story of Horus, with an assertion that “Rx” is… Continue reading Eye of Horus and ocular symbolism