I have retired from neurosurgery. I am now able to concentrate on my urge to learn more on the history of medicine (especially as related to India), medical ethics and photography.
This 'Letter from Mumbai' features the father of Ms. Sunita Williams. Dr. Deepak Pandya - a nativ... more This 'Letter from Mumbai' features the father of Ms. Sunita Williams. Dr. Deepak Pandya - a native of India - had settled in the USA and rose to eminence as an neuro-anatomist. The letter also emphasises the need for study of classical European Languages (and English) by Indians. The letter shows difficulties in determining the provenance of specimens in Indian medical museums as dictated by many modern ethicists. As in some earlier Letters, the need for family physicians is emphasised. The last item features the first woman doctor in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and provides a historical nugget. She had delivered Mr. Satyajit Ray, the famed Bengali film maker and author.
This obituary note discusses briefly the life and work of Dr. M. S. Valiathan - cardiac surgeon, ... more This obituary note discusses briefly the life and work of Dr. M. S. Valiathan - cardiac surgeon, biomedical engineer, medical historian, champion of Ayurveda and medical ethicist.
On March 8, 2016, the 92nd report on the functioning of the Medical Council of India (MCI) (1) wa... more On March 8, 2016, the 92nd report on the functioning of the Medical Council of India (MCI) (1) was placed before both Houses of Parliament by Professor Ram Gopal Yadav, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Health and Family Welfare.
The main objective of drug delivery systems is to deliver a drug effectively, specifically to the... more The main objective of drug delivery systems is to deliver a drug effectively, specifically to the site of action and to achieve greater efficacy and minimise the toxic effects compared to conventional drugs. Amongst various carrier systems, liposomes have generated a great interest because of their versatility. Liposomes are vesicular concentric bilayered structures, which are biocompatible, biodegradable and nonimmumnogenic. They can control the delivery of drugs by targeting the drug to the site of action or by site avoidance drug delivery or by prolonged circulation of drugs. Amphotericin B (Amp B) remains the drug of choice in most systemic mycoses and also as a second line treatment for Kala azar. However, its toxic effects often limit its use. Although the liposome delivery system has been tried for several drugs, only a few have been used in patients due to the slow development of necessary large-scale pharmaceutical procedures. This paper reviews the development of the techn...
This letter from Mumbai includes a short biography of Dr. Vijayprasad Gopichand, a note on the ne... more This letter from Mumbai includes a short biography of Dr. Vijayprasad Gopichand, a note on the need for physically handicapped physicians and medical personnel to be treated with dignity, pleads for respect to be paid to nurses by physicians, and asks why the search through the literature by authors of medical papers is so superficial. Dr. Gopichand's papers are especially worthy of study by physicians in India.
Medical education in ancient India was by a teacher (guru) housing and teaching students (shishya... more Medical education in ancient India was by a teacher (guru) housing and teaching students (shishyas). Strict criteria were used to identify good teachers. Students were selected after assessing aptitude, humanity and concern for the sick. Close interaction ensured periodic assessment of the student's progress. At present merit is often not the deciding criterion for selection of teachers. There is no aptitude test before a student is admitted to medical college. The students concentrate on obtaining high scores in terms of marks at examinations as taught in commercial tuition classes. Learning is sacrificed at the altar of sharpening short-term memory. We need drastic changes in our system of medical education.
Medicine and surgery carry inherent risks of inadvertent
and unintended harm to the patient. Trai... more Medicine and surgery carry inherent risks of inadvertent and unintended harm to the patient. Training, experience, and skill help ensure smooth recovery in most cases. However, there are circumstances beyond the control of the neurosurgeon that may predispose to complications. This review discusses steps that may help to diminish risks to the patient and can be taken before their admis- sion to hospital, in the operating theater, and after surgery. When a complication does occur despite all care, it is essential to maintain total transparency with the patient and his or her family. It is important that they are active witnesses to the care and treatment being lavished on the individual to minimize the harm from the mishap. Should legal action follow despite such efforts, the neurosurgeon must be prepared to defend with the help of a wise, expe- rienced lawyer and to provide evidence of his or her pro- fessional competence and the appropriateness of care offered to the patient. In any case, it is counterproductive to view every patient as a potential legal threat or indulge in defensive medical practice.
Dr. Billimoria trained in radiology in London and other European centres. On return to Bombay he ... more Dr. Billimoria trained in radiology in London and other European centres. On return to Bombay he was appointed Professor of Radiology at the Grant Medical College and Sir J. J. Group of Hospitals. Soon after we joined the medical college as students, he would regularly come to the anatomy dissection hall and show us anatomy in the living by fluoroscopy. Movements of the diaphragm, lung, heart were demonstrated. He used barium swallows to show us the anatomy and functions of oesophagus, stomach, small bowel. He introduced cineradiology in Bombay and enabled us to study craniovertebral anomalies in vivid detail. He was an extraordinary clinician and to my knowledge described the first hemistenosis of the lumbar spinal canal. He used tomography to demonstrate early disease in renal papillae. He was one of the first in Bombay to do catheter angiography studies. He studied the epididymis in tuberculosis. On retirement from Bombay he settled in California, working and teaching at the Loma Linda University.
Dr. Sidhva trained in neuroradiology with Professor James Bull in London, England. On returning t... more Dr. Sidhva trained in neuroradiology with Professor James Bull in London, England. On returning to Bombay, he was Professor of Radiology and the first neuroradiologist at the Grant Medical College and Sir J. J. Group of Hospitals. He was the pioneer who introduced computerised tomography in Bombay. Besides medicine, he excelled in dramatics and took part in several successful plays characterised by hilarity. After retirement, he has studied his Parsi scriptures and written scholarly works on them.
This 'Letter from Mumbai' features the father of Ms. Sunita Williams. Dr. Deepak Pandya - a nativ... more This 'Letter from Mumbai' features the father of Ms. Sunita Williams. Dr. Deepak Pandya - a native of India - had settled in the USA and rose to eminence as an neuro-anatomist. The letter also emphasises the need for study of classical European Languages (and English) by Indians. The letter shows difficulties in determining the provenance of specimens in Indian medical museums as dictated by many modern ethicists. As in some earlier Letters, the need for family physicians is emphasised. The last item features the first woman doctor in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and provides a historical nugget. She had delivered Mr. Satyajit Ray, the famed Bengali film maker and author.
This obituary note discusses briefly the life and work of Dr. M. S. Valiathan - cardiac surgeon, ... more This obituary note discusses briefly the life and work of Dr. M. S. Valiathan - cardiac surgeon, biomedical engineer, medical historian, champion of Ayurveda and medical ethicist.
On March 8, 2016, the 92nd report on the functioning of the Medical Council of India (MCI) (1) wa... more On March 8, 2016, the 92nd report on the functioning of the Medical Council of India (MCI) (1) was placed before both Houses of Parliament by Professor Ram Gopal Yadav, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Health and Family Welfare.
The main objective of drug delivery systems is to deliver a drug effectively, specifically to the... more The main objective of drug delivery systems is to deliver a drug effectively, specifically to the site of action and to achieve greater efficacy and minimise the toxic effects compared to conventional drugs. Amongst various carrier systems, liposomes have generated a great interest because of their versatility. Liposomes are vesicular concentric bilayered structures, which are biocompatible, biodegradable and nonimmumnogenic. They can control the delivery of drugs by targeting the drug to the site of action or by site avoidance drug delivery or by prolonged circulation of drugs. Amphotericin B (Amp B) remains the drug of choice in most systemic mycoses and also as a second line treatment for Kala azar. However, its toxic effects often limit its use. Although the liposome delivery system has been tried for several drugs, only a few have been used in patients due to the slow development of necessary large-scale pharmaceutical procedures. This paper reviews the development of the techn...
This letter from Mumbai includes a short biography of Dr. Vijayprasad Gopichand, a note on the ne... more This letter from Mumbai includes a short biography of Dr. Vijayprasad Gopichand, a note on the need for physically handicapped physicians and medical personnel to be treated with dignity, pleads for respect to be paid to nurses by physicians, and asks why the search through the literature by authors of medical papers is so superficial. Dr. Gopichand's papers are especially worthy of study by physicians in India.
Medical education in ancient India was by a teacher (guru) housing and teaching students (shishya... more Medical education in ancient India was by a teacher (guru) housing and teaching students (shishyas). Strict criteria were used to identify good teachers. Students were selected after assessing aptitude, humanity and concern for the sick. Close interaction ensured periodic assessment of the student's progress. At present merit is often not the deciding criterion for selection of teachers. There is no aptitude test before a student is admitted to medical college. The students concentrate on obtaining high scores in terms of marks at examinations as taught in commercial tuition classes. Learning is sacrificed at the altar of sharpening short-term memory. We need drastic changes in our system of medical education.
Medicine and surgery carry inherent risks of inadvertent
and unintended harm to the patient. Trai... more Medicine and surgery carry inherent risks of inadvertent and unintended harm to the patient. Training, experience, and skill help ensure smooth recovery in most cases. However, there are circumstances beyond the control of the neurosurgeon that may predispose to complications. This review discusses steps that may help to diminish risks to the patient and can be taken before their admis- sion to hospital, in the operating theater, and after surgery. When a complication does occur despite all care, it is essential to maintain total transparency with the patient and his or her family. It is important that they are active witnesses to the care and treatment being lavished on the individual to minimize the harm from the mishap. Should legal action follow despite such efforts, the neurosurgeon must be prepared to defend with the help of a wise, expe- rienced lawyer and to provide evidence of his or her pro- fessional competence and the appropriateness of care offered to the patient. In any case, it is counterproductive to view every patient as a potential legal threat or indulge in defensive medical practice.
Dr. Billimoria trained in radiology in London and other European centres. On return to Bombay he ... more Dr. Billimoria trained in radiology in London and other European centres. On return to Bombay he was appointed Professor of Radiology at the Grant Medical College and Sir J. J. Group of Hospitals. Soon after we joined the medical college as students, he would regularly come to the anatomy dissection hall and show us anatomy in the living by fluoroscopy. Movements of the diaphragm, lung, heart were demonstrated. He used barium swallows to show us the anatomy and functions of oesophagus, stomach, small bowel. He introduced cineradiology in Bombay and enabled us to study craniovertebral anomalies in vivid detail. He was an extraordinary clinician and to my knowledge described the first hemistenosis of the lumbar spinal canal. He used tomography to demonstrate early disease in renal papillae. He was one of the first in Bombay to do catheter angiography studies. He studied the epididymis in tuberculosis. On retirement from Bombay he settled in California, working and teaching at the Loma Linda University.
Dr. Sidhva trained in neuroradiology with Professor James Bull in London, England. On returning t... more Dr. Sidhva trained in neuroradiology with Professor James Bull in London, England. On returning to Bombay, he was Professor of Radiology and the first neuroradiologist at the Grant Medical College and Sir J. J. Group of Hospitals. He was the pioneer who introduced computerised tomography in Bombay. Besides medicine, he excelled in dramatics and took part in several successful plays characterised by hilarity. After retirement, he has studied his Parsi scriptures and written scholarly works on them.
Dr Nambisan has gained well-deserved fame from her work as a surgeon in rural clinics in Bihar, U... more Dr Nambisan has gained well-deserved fame from her work as a surgeon in rural clinics in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka and in her present clinic in Kodagu-the district from which she derives her origin. Her ethics, concern for her patients (most of whom are poor), surgical skills and the manner in which she successfully overcame the many handicaps in a series of rural public sector clinics make her a role model. The other equally admirable person who comes to mind at once is Dr Taru Jindal who worked in Motihari in East Champaran and Masarhi, both in Bihar. Dr Nambisan has another and equally prominent feather in her cap. She is a reputed author of fiction with several acclaimed novels to her credit. The volume under review has two facets. The principal title suggests a commentary on health-which remains a luxury for the vast majority of our countryfolk. The second is an autobiographical account of her personal experiences as she moved from her parental homes in Kodagu and Delhi to St John's Medical College in Bengaluru as a medical student, travelled to Britain to obtain her Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons and then returned to serve patients desperately in need in neglected parts of our country.
This is an open access journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Comm... more This is an open access journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as appropriate credit is given and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms.
The Indian Journal of Medical Research has published a supplement containing papers pertaining to... more The Indian Journal of Medical Research has published a supplement containing papers pertaining to the medical aspects of the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi. The contents are reviewed here.
SGPGI Neurosurgery: The Operative Atlas of Neurosurgery. A Compendium of 120 Neuro-Oncological, Case-Based, Surgical Approaches, 2021
This is a review of two-volume atlas of neurosurgical operations. It has been published from Luck... more This is a review of two-volume atlas of neurosurgical operations. It has been published from Lucknow, India.
Dr. Taru Jindal is an extraordinary young doctor who, after her studies in Mumbai India, instead ... more Dr. Taru Jindal is an extraordinary young doctor who, after her studies in Mumbai India, instead of entering academia or private practice, decided to work in a ramshackle clinic in one of India's poorest states - Bihar.
This book is her account of her experiences in that state. I found it inspiring.
The book 'Healing hands' describes the life and work of a surgeon in a public-sector hospital in ... more The book 'Healing hands' describes the life and work of a surgeon in a public-sector hospital in Chennai (earlier Madras). Arduous effort resulted in the creation of a plastic surgery department that grew into an institute for the care of injuries to the hand. Professor R. Vankataswami and his disciple, author Dr. Swami Subramanian deserve applause.
Sabine Hildebrandt, The anatomy of murder: Ethical transgressions and anatomical science during t... more Sabine Hildebrandt, The anatomy of murder: Ethical transgressions and anatomical science during the Third Reich. New York: Berghahn Books; 2017, 390 pgs, $34.95 (paperback) ISBN 978-1-78533-732-1, e-book $ 34.95 eISBN 978-1-78533-068-1
This book reviews the development of science in independent India and analyses factors that have ... more This book reviews the development of science in independent India and analyses factors that have retarded growth.
The book is yet another tribute paid to his partner, Dr. Oliver Sacks, by Bill Hayes. It provides... more The book is yet another tribute paid to his partner, Dr. Oliver Sacks, by Bill Hayes. It provides us intimate glimpses into the life and work of Dr. Sacks not to be found elsewhere.
It also incorporates some examples that display Hayes' expertise with the camera.
The book on new directions in literature and medicine is a compendium of interesting essays that ... more The book on new directions in literature and medicine is a compendium of interesting essays that will interest all those working in the medical humanities.
Review of the book 'Under the Knife: The history of surgery in 28 remarkable operations'. Arnold ... more Review of the book 'Under the Knife: The history of surgery in 28 remarkable operations'. Arnold van de Laar. John Murray, London, 2018
This is a historical review of the classic by Santiago Ramon y Cajal, offering his precepts and c... more This is a historical review of the classic by Santiago Ramon y Cajal, offering his precepts and counsels on scientific investigation.
This is a review of Mr. Dittrich's book on Henry Molaison and his surgeon, Mr. Dittrich's grandfa... more This is a review of Mr. Dittrich's book on Henry Molaison and his surgeon, Mr. Dittrich's grandfather, Dr. Scoville.
It includes details on frontal lobotomy and temporal lobe surgery for curing epilepsy.
The prologue sets the stage in contemporary Grant Medical College, Mumbai and introduces us at on... more The prologue sets the stage in contemporary Grant Medical College, Mumbai and introduces us at once to the turreted Gothic building that was, in 1845, the college and the younger building to its left, the Petit Laboratory. Ratna (our duo use the first person singular throughout their books) shows us the plaque to the right of the entrance of the laboratory from which the book derives its title. The inscription in lead on the marble tells us that it marks the site where Waldemar Haffkine (1860-1930) created the first successful vaccine against the bubonic plague. It specifies the actual room (No. 000) where Haffkine worked. Ratna points out an error when the plaque was sculpted. 'Mankind' was spelt 'mainkind' by the sculptor. As a last minute correction, the lead was scraped out of the first 'i'. We now see 'ma nkind'. Although I have passed by this plaque many times, this remained unobserved by me. In passing let me add that the plaque followed the efforts of a determined acolyte of Dr. Haffkine. Ms. Edythe Lutzker (1904-1987), a historian from New York who went to college at the age of 46, after her family was well-settled, collected the funds for the plaque, got the various permissions for its installations and even arranged for President V. V. Giri to unveil it! Ratna rightly bemoans the dilapidated state of the crumbling historic college building – the only structure on the campus that dates back to 1845 – and the fact that
Review of a book about an outstanding architect and his work in the fields of leprosy in particul... more Review of a book about an outstanding architect and his work in the fields of leprosy in particular and medicine in general.
In 1826, Dr John McLennan was asked by Governor Mounstuart Elphinstone of Bombay to set up the fi... more In 1826, Dr John McLennan was asked by Governor Mounstuart Elphinstone of Bombay to set up the first school to teach modern medicine to Indian citizens. He was expected to create textbooks on a variety of subjects in local languages and teach medicine to poorly educated students in their native tongues. Despite his valiant efforts, the school was deemed a failure and was abolished by the Government in 1832. Sir Robert Grant, appointed Governor of Bombay in 1835, analysed records pertaining to this medical school and concluded that the school failed since Dr McLennan was not provided the assistance he needed and as his suggestions for access to a hospital to teach medicine were not heeded. Dr
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Papers by Sunil Pandya
At present merit is often not the deciding criterion for selection of teachers. There is no aptitude test before a student is admitted to medical college. The students concentrate on obtaining high scores in terms of marks at examinations as taught in commercial tuition classes. Learning is sacrificed at the altar of sharpening short-term memory. We need drastic changes in our system of medical education.
and unintended harm to the patient. Training, experience,
and skill help ensure smooth recovery in most cases.
However, there are circumstances beyond the control of
the neurosurgeon that may predispose to complications.
This review discusses steps that may help to diminish
risks to the patient and can be taken before their admis-
sion to hospital, in the operating theater, and after surgery.
When a complication does occur despite all care, it is
essential to maintain total transparency with the patient
and his or her family. It is important that they are active
witnesses to the care and treatment being lavished on the
individual to minimize the harm from the mishap. Should
legal action follow despite such efforts, the neurosurgeon
must be prepared to defend with the help of a wise, expe-
rienced lawyer and to provide evidence of his or her pro-
fessional competence and the appropriateness of care
offered to the patient. In any case, it is counterproductive
to view every patient as a potential legal threat or indulge
in defensive medical practice.
At present merit is often not the deciding criterion for selection of teachers. There is no aptitude test before a student is admitted to medical college. The students concentrate on obtaining high scores in terms of marks at examinations as taught in commercial tuition classes. Learning is sacrificed at the altar of sharpening short-term memory. We need drastic changes in our system of medical education.
and unintended harm to the patient. Training, experience,
and skill help ensure smooth recovery in most cases.
However, there are circumstances beyond the control of
the neurosurgeon that may predispose to complications.
This review discusses steps that may help to diminish
risks to the patient and can be taken before their admis-
sion to hospital, in the operating theater, and after surgery.
When a complication does occur despite all care, it is
essential to maintain total transparency with the patient
and his or her family. It is important that they are active
witnesses to the care and treatment being lavished on the
individual to minimize the harm from the mishap. Should
legal action follow despite such efforts, the neurosurgeon
must be prepared to defend with the help of a wise, expe-
rienced lawyer and to provide evidence of his or her pro-
fessional competence and the appropriateness of care
offered to the patient. In any case, it is counterproductive
to view every patient as a potential legal threat or indulge
in defensive medical practice.
This book is her account of her experiences in that state. I found it inspiring.
It also incorporates some examples that display Hayes' expertise with the camera.
It includes details on frontal lobotomy and temporal lobe surgery for curing epilepsy.