9. Social acceptance
Nawabs, Zamindars, businessmen and other high up’s were biased to accept this modern medicine to whom it became a symbol of status.
They did not hesitate to send their kids to the medical schools established by the Englishmen.
It also emerged as more a status symbol than a human service.
All the medical colleges were established in the north and south India except the first one in Kolkata depending on its feasibility in the eye of the government.
A few medical schools were established in the eastern part of Bengal. This goal of these schools were to impart workable knowledge and training to the students willing to take medicine as a profession.
LMF ( Licentiate Medical Fellow ) degree was given to them which consolidated their social, professional and legal position.
These LMF doctors were the torch bearer of modern medicine in India order to take it to the vast masses and stood as a liaison between the past and present.
The instant relief given by the modern medicine came to them as a magic. They were motivated to make a new look at life.
Most of LMF doctors preferred to live with the people and earn a reasonable income. No patient did ever refused by them without any treatment or medicine. So as a result they were very much respected and honored in the society.
In those day’s a number of medicines were prepare by the doctors or their pharmacists. Some them had microscopes too. So, a doc had the scope to work as pathologist and pharmacist as well. None could think to move from one door to another for having the investigations done.
They were directly connected with the people and used to go the house of the patients to stand beside them. The most popular item was alkali mixture which gave sufficient time to the doctors understand the hidden problems and stabilized the patients.
It saved the patients free from the risk of arbitrary use of antibiotics, analgesics etc.
Blessings of the people remained with those LMF docs who founded the base of modern medicine. But they were made a second class professional following introduction of M.B Course. In fact there was no wrong in launching the M.B programs. The LMF’s worked with the general people while the M. B’s were the experts.
It was much more desired that a sound referral system will be introduced but practically it failed to take an effective shape. The M.B and subsequently the Royal College fellows took the arena. The more the degree is achieved the more respect and honor he will claim. It also brought more fortune for the better qualified docs.
In the most poverty stricken East Bengal M.B and British Royal College fellows were not involved in medical practice who found Kolkata a better ground. LMF docs, medical assistants, nurses and compounders stood beside these poor people in disease and distress.
With the introduction of Aurbedic medicine by a former teacher of chemistry in the Bhagalpur College the Shadana Oushdayala, a company owned by him came as big relief to them. Similarly with introduction of Hekami and Uninany medicine a new day of confidence began mainly because of the affordable price.
The Dhaka Medical College was “ established in 1946, it took about 10 years for the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital to start operations because of bureucratic entanglements. The Dhaka Medical College and its affiliate, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, were accommodated in a building constructed in 1904 as the Secretariat Building for the province of East Bengal and Assam.
The building was transferred to the University of Dhaka in 1921. One part of it was converted into the university's medical centre, one part into a student dormitory, while the residual part was allotted for use as the academic wing of the Faculty of Arts.
The whole building was used as "American Base Hospital" during World War II. When the Americans left, a one hundred bed hospital was established in it.
This created the base of the DMCH, which at the beginning had only four departments - Medical, Surgery, Gynaecology and ENT. The institute did not have any hostel for students. Male students were allowed to reside in Dhaka University's student halls, but girls had to attend classes from their homes. After the partition of Bengal in 1947, a large number of students came from Calcutta Medical College and sought admission in Dhaka Medical College.
Similarly, many left Dhaka Medical College for Calcutta. The college and hospital premises were expanded in new temporary sheds, some of which were built for outdoor services of the hospital and some others for students' hostels.
New buildings for hostel, college and hospital were constructed in phases: a hostel for girls in 1952, a hostel for male students in 1954-55, a new complex of academic buildings in 1955, and a hostel for internee doctors in 1974-75.”(Source Wikipedia)
My Words
Eight :
- A majority of Bangladeshi husbands start their conjugal life by telling about the likings and dislikings of all the members of his family and thus making the bride a hostage of yes, no in the very first night.
Abul Kashem Minto
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
8. Introduction of Modern Medicine in British India
The Englishmen during their 190 years of rule in India gave us the game of cricket and modern medicine. “ Calcutta Medical College was the first institution in India imparting a systematic education in western medicine.
The British East India Company established the Indian Medical Service (IMS) as early as 1764 to look after Europeans in British India. IMS officers headed military and civilian hospitals in Bombay, Calcutta and Madras, and also accompanied the Company's ships and army.
A utilitarian approach and the need to provide expert apothecaries, compounders, and dressers in different hospitals prompted the earliest official involvement with medical education in India.
These subordinate assistants would help European doctors and surgeons who looked after the health of European civilians and military employees and also reduce the company's financial burdens by limiting the appointment of European doctors."
“ From 1826 onwards, classes on Unani and Ayurvedic medicine were held respectively at the Calcutta madrasa and the Sanskrit college. In 1827 John Tyler, an Orientalist and the first superintendent of the NMI started lectures on Mathematics and Anatomy at the Sanskrit College.
In general, the medical education provided by the colonial state at this stage involved parallel instructions in western and indigenous medical systems.
Translation of western medical texts was encouraged and though dissection was not performed, clinical experience was a must. Trainee medical students had to attend different hospitals and dispensaries. Successful native doctors were absorbed into government jobs.
Towards the end of 1833 a Committee was appointed by the government of William Bentinck in Bengal to report on the state of medical education and also to suggest whether teaching of indigenous system should be discontinued.
The Committee recommended that the state found a medical college 'for the education of the natives'. The various branches of medical science cultivated in Europe should be taught in this college.
The intending candidates should possess a reading and writing knowledge of the English language, similar knowledge of Bengali and Hindustani and a proficiency in Arithmetic.
This recommendation, soon followed by Macaulay's minute and Bentinck's resolution, sealed the fate of the school for native doctors and medical classes at the two leading oriental institutions of Calcutta.
The NMI was abolished and the medical classes at the Sanskrit College and at the Madrasa were discontinued by the government order of 28 January 1835.
This marked the end of official patronage of indigenous medical learning which in its turn evoked long-term reaction among the Indian practitioners of indigenous medicine and later the nationalists who strongly criticised the government for the withdrawal of patronage to the Indian system.
Different sections of the Indian population responded differently to this newly founded system of education. Among the Hindus the Brahmins, Kayasthas, Vaidyas, were particularly enthusiastic about medical education.
The activities of the Calcutta Medical College started on 20 February 1835 with the process of admission of students. Twenty students were selected through a preliminary examination of about one hundred students.
These boys had received their education either at the Hindu College, Hare School or the General Assembly's Institution. Twenty-nine more students had already been selected.
All of these 49 students were to receive a monthly stipend of Rs 7 from the government, but it was to be raised gradually.
The students were to remain in the College for a period of not less than 4 years and not more than 6 years. On completion of their studies the students had to sit for a final examination.
Successful candidates were to receive from the President of the Committee of education certificates of qualifications to practise surgery and medicine.
They could also enter public service where they would be called 'Native Doctors' receiving an initial pay of Rs 30 per month which would be raised to Rs 40 after 7 years and to 50 after 14 years of service.
In 1864, the Bengali class was divided into two sections: The Native Apothecary section, which trained students for government employment, and the Vernacular Licentiate section which gave instructions in medicine and surgery in order to enable the students to practise among the less affluent sections of Indians.
In 1873, both these classes were transferred to a new school called the Sealdah Medical School or the Campbell Medical School. The Hindu bhadralok class, Europeans and Eurasians dominated the student population. Although during 1880-1890 there was a small increase in the number of Muslim students, their proportion was very small.
A resolution of 29 June 1883 allowed the admission of women into the CMC after doing FA. Kadambini Ganguly, a Bengali Brahmo became the first woman admitted to the CMC. In 1884 the government offered scholarships of Rs 20 per month to all female students. Bidhu Mukhi Bose and Virginia Mary Mitter received these scholarships and became the first Indian women to graduate during 1888-89.
An important change occurred in 1906 when the Calcutta University decided to discontinue the LMS examination held since 1861 and henceforth confer only the degrees of MB and MD. The last batch of LMS students was examined in 1911.
During the 1930s, the system of reservation of seats was introduced, based on the relative population of different classes of people.
Further it was decided that of the 100 students taken, 5 were to be female candidates. Most of the female students belonged to the Anglo-Indian, Christian, Brahmo or Parsi community ( Source :Wikipedia).
The traditional Indian medicine could not stand against the imported medicine which claimed to be based on scientific evidence. Gradually the high up’s managed to get the door of modern medicine open to them.
Subsequently civil surgeons were posted in every district that formed the superstructure of the health care system without having been maintaining any relation with the silent majority.
My Words
Seven
- A well behaved husband is destined to make a happy home.
Abul Kashem Minto
The Englishmen during their 190 years of rule in India gave us the game of cricket and modern medicine. “ Calcutta Medical College was the first institution in India imparting a systematic education in western medicine.
The British East India Company established the Indian Medical Service (IMS) as early as 1764 to look after Europeans in British India. IMS officers headed military and civilian hospitals in Bombay, Calcutta and Madras, and also accompanied the Company's ships and army.
A utilitarian approach and the need to provide expert apothecaries, compounders, and dressers in different hospitals prompted the earliest official involvement with medical education in India.
These subordinate assistants would help European doctors and surgeons who looked after the health of European civilians and military employees and also reduce the company's financial burdens by limiting the appointment of European doctors."
“ From 1826 onwards, classes on Unani and Ayurvedic medicine were held respectively at the Calcutta madrasa and the Sanskrit college. In 1827 John Tyler, an Orientalist and the first superintendent of the NMI started lectures on Mathematics and Anatomy at the Sanskrit College.
In general, the medical education provided by the colonial state at this stage involved parallel instructions in western and indigenous medical systems.
Translation of western medical texts was encouraged and though dissection was not performed, clinical experience was a must. Trainee medical students had to attend different hospitals and dispensaries. Successful native doctors were absorbed into government jobs.
Towards the end of 1833 a Committee was appointed by the government of William Bentinck in Bengal to report on the state of medical education and also to suggest whether teaching of indigenous system should be discontinued.
The Committee recommended that the state found a medical college 'for the education of the natives'. The various branches of medical science cultivated in Europe should be taught in this college.
The intending candidates should possess a reading and writing knowledge of the English language, similar knowledge of Bengali and Hindustani and a proficiency in Arithmetic.
This recommendation, soon followed by Macaulay's minute and Bentinck's resolution, sealed the fate of the school for native doctors and medical classes at the two leading oriental institutions of Calcutta.
The NMI was abolished and the medical classes at the Sanskrit College and at the Madrasa were discontinued by the government order of 28 January 1835.
This marked the end of official patronage of indigenous medical learning which in its turn evoked long-term reaction among the Indian practitioners of indigenous medicine and later the nationalists who strongly criticised the government for the withdrawal of patronage to the Indian system.
Different sections of the Indian population responded differently to this newly founded system of education. Among the Hindus the Brahmins, Kayasthas, Vaidyas, were particularly enthusiastic about medical education.
The activities of the Calcutta Medical College started on 20 February 1835 with the process of admission of students. Twenty students were selected through a preliminary examination of about one hundred students.
These boys had received their education either at the Hindu College, Hare School or the General Assembly's Institution. Twenty-nine more students had already been selected.
All of these 49 students were to receive a monthly stipend of Rs 7 from the government, but it was to be raised gradually.
The students were to remain in the College for a period of not less than 4 years and not more than 6 years. On completion of their studies the students had to sit for a final examination.
Successful candidates were to receive from the President of the Committee of education certificates of qualifications to practise surgery and medicine.
They could also enter public service where they would be called 'Native Doctors' receiving an initial pay of Rs 30 per month which would be raised to Rs 40 after 7 years and to 50 after 14 years of service.
In 1864, the Bengali class was divided into two sections: The Native Apothecary section, which trained students for government employment, and the Vernacular Licentiate section which gave instructions in medicine and surgery in order to enable the students to practise among the less affluent sections of Indians.
In 1873, both these classes were transferred to a new school called the Sealdah Medical School or the Campbell Medical School. The Hindu bhadralok class, Europeans and Eurasians dominated the student population. Although during 1880-1890 there was a small increase in the number of Muslim students, their proportion was very small.
A resolution of 29 June 1883 allowed the admission of women into the CMC after doing FA. Kadambini Ganguly, a Bengali Brahmo became the first woman admitted to the CMC. In 1884 the government offered scholarships of Rs 20 per month to all female students. Bidhu Mukhi Bose and Virginia Mary Mitter received these scholarships and became the first Indian women to graduate during 1888-89.
An important change occurred in 1906 when the Calcutta University decided to discontinue the LMS examination held since 1861 and henceforth confer only the degrees of MB and MD. The last batch of LMS students was examined in 1911.
During the 1930s, the system of reservation of seats was introduced, based on the relative population of different classes of people.
Further it was decided that of the 100 students taken, 5 were to be female candidates. Most of the female students belonged to the Anglo-Indian, Christian, Brahmo or Parsi community ( Source :Wikipedia).
The traditional Indian medicine could not stand against the imported medicine which claimed to be based on scientific evidence. Gradually the high up’s managed to get the door of modern medicine open to them.
Subsequently civil surgeons were posted in every district that formed the superstructure of the health care system without having been maintaining any relation with the silent majority.
My Words
Seven
- A well behaved husband is destined to make a happy home.
Abul Kashem Minto
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
The days of Turmoil ( Last part )
The days of Turmoil (Last part )
The turmoil continued to rise to its zenith from 1941 on wards when it became apparently visible that India will get either independence or more freedom to breath.
The main uncertainty prevailed in the course of the war. Rapid Japanese advance in Indo-china and Burma jolted India every now and then creating major suspicion among the concerned circle.
Whatever was the course of the war India continued to divide itself on various issues dominated by regional and communal entities which rose to it’s peak in 1946 when communal riots erupted in various parts of India claiming lives and properties of hundreds of thousands of people.
This communal riots had culminated into communal deception and discrimination which continues still in different form.
The partition of India created two independent nationalities one based on religion and the other on secularism. In fact none of them could still firmly stand be side their avowed objectives.
The fact remains that India I mean greater India is such a land where nothing can be achieved or retained easily. You can still get hundreds of opinions pro or against partition of India from the persons enjoying it.
Many reputed personalities are blamed for it or respected. But minus the independence or partition of India in 1947, achievements in other sectors are very meager.
The well to do section of the society took control in these newly independent countries. Agriculture remained neglected throwing the majority into uncertainty.
Poverty griped the nations particularly the Eastern part of Pakistan. Millions of Bhiris ( Muslim refugees coming from Bihar ) came and settled in major urban areas creating various problems. I
t is not clear whether they had been driven out of India en masse or they voluntarily opted for Pakistan.
The government of Pakistan took long seven years to frame a constitution but failed to continue itimplement it. This has kept the political goal of the state of Pakistan unclear to the Pakistanis themselves.
The Bhiris continued to gain control in public offices keeping the Bangalis far away from main stream. Even the non educated Bhiris also took a secured place in the government owned Railways, the largest employer.
0The government of India denied to export coal to Pakistan maybe with an aim to collapse the Railway system. This has proved to be a blessing in disguise for the migrated Bhiris. They promptly began to burn fire woods and kept the Railway tracks busy.
The whole nation became relieved but the Bhiris took very huge dividend. They began to dominate public offices denying the legitimate rights of the Bangalies.
The migration of Hindu before and after partition and Zamindars and subsequent exodus of Hindu well to do people severe shortage of skilled educated men could cut the throat of Pakistan.
The refuges came to the rescue. Soon it became a happy harbor for all vested quarters including the Kabuliwals ( a section of tribesmen from North West Frontier Province involved in money lending business ).
Soon the Bangalis realized that they are being ruled by another ruler class from abroad the Panjabi –Bihiri allience. They began to organize themselves and gradually began to fight them which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh at long last in 1971.
. Unlike the Indians or Pakistanis a Bangladeshi can claim that we enjoy a liberty achieved by us. So my discussion on any topic might not exclude politics though my attempt here is to focus on the plight of kidney patients.
Let me begin with the state of heath care during British Raj and afterwards.
My Words
Six
- True patriots talk less.
The turmoil continued to rise to its zenith from 1941 on wards when it became apparently visible that India will get either independence or more freedom to breath.
The main uncertainty prevailed in the course of the war. Rapid Japanese advance in Indo-china and Burma jolted India every now and then creating major suspicion among the concerned circle.
Whatever was the course of the war India continued to divide itself on various issues dominated by regional and communal entities which rose to it’s peak in 1946 when communal riots erupted in various parts of India claiming lives and properties of hundreds of thousands of people.
This communal riots had culminated into communal deception and discrimination which continues still in different form.
The partition of India created two independent nationalities one based on religion and the other on secularism. In fact none of them could still firmly stand be side their avowed objectives.
The fact remains that India I mean greater India is such a land where nothing can be achieved or retained easily. You can still get hundreds of opinions pro or against partition of India from the persons enjoying it.
Many reputed personalities are blamed for it or respected. But minus the independence or partition of India in 1947, achievements in other sectors are very meager.
The well to do section of the society took control in these newly independent countries. Agriculture remained neglected throwing the majority into uncertainty.
Poverty griped the nations particularly the Eastern part of Pakistan. Millions of Bhiris ( Muslim refugees coming from Bihar ) came and settled in major urban areas creating various problems. I
t is not clear whether they had been driven out of India en masse or they voluntarily opted for Pakistan.
The government of Pakistan took long seven years to frame a constitution but failed to continue itimplement it. This has kept the political goal of the state of Pakistan unclear to the Pakistanis themselves.
The Bhiris continued to gain control in public offices keeping the Bangalis far away from main stream. Even the non educated Bhiris also took a secured place in the government owned Railways, the largest employer.
0The government of India denied to export coal to Pakistan maybe with an aim to collapse the Railway system. This has proved to be a blessing in disguise for the migrated Bhiris. They promptly began to burn fire woods and kept the Railway tracks busy.
The whole nation became relieved but the Bhiris took very huge dividend. They began to dominate public offices denying the legitimate rights of the Bangalies.
The migration of Hindu before and after partition and Zamindars and subsequent exodus of Hindu well to do people severe shortage of skilled educated men could cut the throat of Pakistan.
The refuges came to the rescue. Soon it became a happy harbor for all vested quarters including the Kabuliwals ( a section of tribesmen from North West Frontier Province involved in money lending business ).
Soon the Bangalis realized that they are being ruled by another ruler class from abroad the Panjabi –Bihiri allience. They began to organize themselves and gradually began to fight them which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh at long last in 1971.
. Unlike the Indians or Pakistanis a Bangladeshi can claim that we enjoy a liberty achieved by us. So my discussion on any topic might not exclude politics though my attempt here is to focus on the plight of kidney patients.
Let me begin with the state of heath care during British Raj and afterwards.
My Words
Six
- True patriots talk less.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
The days of Turmoil (Contd)
There were thousands of such mohajans in rural Bengal and still persists in different shapes. Initially they start a business to secure protection from the business community. Then began to offer short term loans to the traders that ensure a safe income and safe pre tests.
Gradually they began to influence local headmen and opinion leaders. Bring them under their net and offer them convenient terms. This the end of a long beginning. Then comes the main target group-farmers.
India did not have any organized financial institute. People had little idea about saving and investment. Most exchanges were based on barter. The poorer section did never had the solvency to save. While the upper class used to save something on jewelries or hide them under soil.
Our villages were poor but self-going. A farmer had everything possible except salt or fuel to lit a light although they have substituted these.
A floating community popularly known as Badiya or Beda were the people with exposure to many areas. They used to visit many localities, procure different attractive items and lure the village house wives to purchase them either in exchange of money or rice.
With the development of market economy the need for money began and mettle coin to paper currency developed in various phases. Money became the standard, measure, value and store for all exchanges.
It sharply shaped every body thinking to go beyond. So much so the roots of money economy were dug, the troubles and agonies of the rural people began to rise.
The farmers became daily laborers in their own lands mostly taken on temporary lease from the Zamidars who beat and tortured them to realize money. Flood, cyclone, draught, erosion continue to deprive them of the crops, yet the Zamindars did not show any mercy.
So, they are compelled to submit to the mohajans and take money at a very high rate only to keep the Zamindar happy. Persons who could not pay off the mohajan were sure to lose his homestead, bullock and even house hold items. besides, merciless punishments become their fate accomplices if not the capital one.
Legal protection was given to them who could easily secure a court order to eliminate a family from their forefather’s land. These uprooted people were forced to live under open sky or anybody’s firm house.
Hundreds of ballads can be written about the plights of such people who had lost everything the language of complaining to the God.
Sher E Bangla, once the prime minister of the undivided Bengal came as the savior of these people from the mohajans who enacted necessary laws to established summary courts for dispensation of justice to these people, but he could not do away with the Zamindari system that prevailed till 1950.
Actually, the origin Zamindars had migrated much earlier. Then began install a few agents and hand everything over to them. With the outbreak of war and assurance for partition of Independence they visualized that happy days are gone. So, they hurriedly took their own course.
Once the White men disappeared, gray rulers were installed in power. Similarly, the old Zamindars were replaced by a new generation of Zamindars who were more and more violent. Owing to the Lack of proper administrative machinery the Zamindars directly or indirectly retained control over the land and were allowed to hold landed properties in any anonymous names called Benami.
Still the vast majority remains out of the benefits of the state acquisition Act of 1950. Continued poverty and mounting unemployment simply contributed towards rise in landlessness.
The Bangladesh Land Occupancy Survey,1980 unearths the causes of serious landlessness in the village areas which resulted in severe influx of homeless,helpless and uprooted millions in the cities. It still continues and makes our cities inhabitable every day.
My Words
Four
-- If a wife continues to dominate the husband she should take it for sure that her husband might be eloping or derailed.
Gradually they began to influence local headmen and opinion leaders. Bring them under their net and offer them convenient terms. This the end of a long beginning. Then comes the main target group-farmers.
India did not have any organized financial institute. People had little idea about saving and investment. Most exchanges were based on barter. The poorer section did never had the solvency to save. While the upper class used to save something on jewelries or hide them under soil.
Our villages were poor but self-going. A farmer had everything possible except salt or fuel to lit a light although they have substituted these.
A floating community popularly known as Badiya or Beda were the people with exposure to many areas. They used to visit many localities, procure different attractive items and lure the village house wives to purchase them either in exchange of money or rice.
With the development of market economy the need for money began and mettle coin to paper currency developed in various phases. Money became the standard, measure, value and store for all exchanges.
It sharply shaped every body thinking to go beyond. So much so the roots of money economy were dug, the troubles and agonies of the rural people began to rise.
The farmers became daily laborers in their own lands mostly taken on temporary lease from the Zamidars who beat and tortured them to realize money. Flood, cyclone, draught, erosion continue to deprive them of the crops, yet the Zamindars did not show any mercy.
So, they are compelled to submit to the mohajans and take money at a very high rate only to keep the Zamindar happy. Persons who could not pay off the mohajan were sure to lose his homestead, bullock and even house hold items. besides, merciless punishments become their fate accomplices if not the capital one.
Legal protection was given to them who could easily secure a court order to eliminate a family from their forefather’s land. These uprooted people were forced to live under open sky or anybody’s firm house.
Hundreds of ballads can be written about the plights of such people who had lost everything the language of complaining to the God.
Sher E Bangla, once the prime minister of the undivided Bengal came as the savior of these people from the mohajans who enacted necessary laws to established summary courts for dispensation of justice to these people, but he could not do away with the Zamindari system that prevailed till 1950.
Actually, the origin Zamindars had migrated much earlier. Then began install a few agents and hand everything over to them. With the outbreak of war and assurance for partition of Independence they visualized that happy days are gone. So, they hurriedly took their own course.
Once the White men disappeared, gray rulers were installed in power. Similarly, the old Zamindars were replaced by a new generation of Zamindars who were more and more violent. Owing to the Lack of proper administrative machinery the Zamindars directly or indirectly retained control over the land and were allowed to hold landed properties in any anonymous names called Benami.
Still the vast majority remains out of the benefits of the state acquisition Act of 1950. Continued poverty and mounting unemployment simply contributed towards rise in landlessness.
The Bangladesh Land Occupancy Survey,1980 unearths the causes of serious landlessness in the village areas which resulted in severe influx of homeless,helpless and uprooted millions in the cities. It still continues and makes our cities inhabitable every day.
My Words
Four
-- If a wife continues to dominate the husband she should take it for sure that her husband might be eloping or derailed.
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