Bekhterev: A top Russian neurologist who had a mysterious end

Index Home The Lancet, a leading medical Journal in an article in its 2017 issue describes Vladimir Mikhailovich Bekhterev as the most productive Russian scientist of his time. He published more than scientific 1700 papers. There are about twenty clinical signs, structures, diseases and phenomenon that carry his name. Most famous of these is Bekhterev’s disease, we… Continue reading Bekhterev: A top Russian neurologist who had a mysterious end

Persecution, Politics and Science in China

Index Home Between 1988 and 2022, China post issued nine sets of postage in a series with a title “Scientists of modern China“. This series has a total of 38 postage stamps, three of them related to medical science. Most others are physicists, chemists, mathematicians and architects. Three medical scientists in the series Tang Feifan, Zhang… Continue reading Persecution, Politics and Science in China

Only a handful of women medics, who found their way into postal stamps

Index Home Today many countries enrol more women than men in their medical schools. India reached this landmark in 2011. Among OECD countries, these proportions are highest in the Baltics (Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia), where more than two-thirds of all doctors are women. Bottom four in this list are Japan, Korea, Luxembourg and the United States.… Continue reading Only a handful of women medics, who found their way into postal stamps

How “Paracelsus” changed the course of medicine ?

Index Home The name ‘Paracelsus’ itself is a mystery. A Swiss-German chemist, born in 1493 had an unusually long name-Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim. In 1507, he embarked on a journey to become a physician and in this process he rejected all the then available medical texts. By 1526, he had travelled across most parts… Continue reading How “Paracelsus” changed the course of medicine ?

Transkei and its series on heroes of medicine

Index Home I had never heard about Transkei till I stumbled on its postage stamps. This country does not exist today. When it did, except one, none recognised it. Transkei was not alone, there were four that swam and sank together. Together these were TVBC – Transkei, Venda, Bophuthatswana and Ciskei – the four so-called homelands… Continue reading Transkei and its series on heroes of medicine

Einstein gets operated and Nissen is his surgeon

Dr Rudolph Nissen on a special cancellation issued by Germany in 1996. Nissen left Berlin in 1933, never to return again

Index Home Albert Einstein In 1921, at 42 years of age, Einstein was a Nobel Laureate. He was a celebrated physicist, a genius, and a sought after speaker. The next year, he was representing Germany on International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation of the League of Nations. Based out of Berlin, he was touring around the world. In 1933,… Continue reading Einstein gets operated and Nissen is his surgeon

A Canadian and an Indian doctor who served in China

Index Home In 1931 Japan had occupied Manchuria, in north eastern China. This marked beginning of Japanese occupation of China. Six years later, in 1937 Japan occupied larger Chinese territory. Thus began Sino-Japanese wars from 1937 to 1945. This war was devastating, with large casualties on the Chinese side. The republican and communist Chinese sides were… Continue reading A Canadian and an Indian doctor who served in China

Siebold: A German doctor, who served Dutch, and lived in Japan

Index Home 19th century was an age of exploration. European powers were in unchartered waters, and their expeditions were now in far ends of the world. Rare breed of such explorers were doctors, who travelled far to quench their curiosities. Philipp Franz Balthasar von Siebold, or Siebold for this blog, was one of them. Born on… Continue reading Siebold: A German doctor, who served Dutch, and lived in Japan

Dr Schweitzer: A charismatic persona and an incredible journey

Index Home Dr Schweitzer lived for 90 years, between 1875 and 1965. He spent his life in turbulent times, and gained tremendous respect on either sides of the fence. With many unmatched talents, he was a philosopher, musician, physician, philanthropist and a human right activist. He also has an incredible postal presence, honoured not only by… Continue reading Dr Schweitzer: A charismatic persona and an incredible journey