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Index Home Emergence of a microscope Origin of microscope is shrouded in controversy. Various traders and workmen used lens for magnification as early as 12th-13th centuries. However, it would take four centuries for first crude microscope to take shape. Some historians claim that Zacharias Janssen invented microscope and telescope between 1580 and 1618. Others believe that… Continue reading Understanding diseases: truths exposed by a microscope

Index Home Journey of surgery till the Middle Ages Mankind has been affected with wounds, fractures, and outgrowths since antiquity. Various applicants to heal wounds and fractures have included honey, clay, oils, leaves, sulphur, bandaging and plastering. There are written as well as anthropological evidences of surgical practices in the ancient times, such as trephining of… Continue reading Surgical practices: A historic perspective of going under the scalpel

Index Home Listening the unseen Two exciting developments took place in early 19th century. Around 1750s Leopold Auenbrugger invented percussion, and in 1816 Laennec invented stethoscope, and thus auscultation. Leopold also discovered ‘fremitus‘ to feel sound on the chest wall, as it travels through the lungs. Before this physicians spoke with their patients, and could see… Continue reading Look, Listen and Feel: The 19th Century physician

Index Home In medieval Europe, physicians analysed symptoms, examined excreta, and made their diagnoses. Medical therapies included diet, rest, sleep, exercise, or baths, or administration of emetics, purgatives or bleeding to get rid of the “bad substances / airs”. Surgeons treated fractures, dislocations, hernias and could perform amputation. Religion and medicine were inseparable. Hospitals were established and infirmaries were attached… Continue reading Challenge the established

Index Home Pre-1950: Lets hide it History has not been kind to individuals with disability. Over the ages it was considered an aberration, that was supposed to be hidden and away from public eyes. Medieval societies would hide children and adults alike in asylums, leper-homes, or inside their houses – often locked with little freedom. Often… Continue reading Disability and rehabilitation

Index Home Foundation of Red Cross In 1859, French-Sardinian alliance and Austrians fought battle of Solferino, a small town in Northern Italy. After the ward was over, more than 40,000 soldiers who were either dead or wounded lay in the battlefield, unattended. Moved by the sight, Henry Dunant a Swiss businessman who happened to be there, organised relief with help of… Continue reading Red Cross movement

Index Home Prelude to this blog “Healthy children indicate healthy society“ Wars bring worst aspects of any society. Wars also disproportionately affect children, as households are disrupted and schools get destroyed. End of First World War was similarly a turning point for child-health. Eglantyne Jebb and Dorothy Buxton, were English social reformers who set up… Continue reading Saving our children

Index Home Who is a health-care worker ? I am one of about 60 million health-care workers in the world. That makes me among less than 1% of global population; a good enough reason to celebrate. Professionally trained doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and paramedical staff constitute about three-quarters of us, and others could be helpers, trolley-bearers,… Continue reading Being a health-care worker