In appreciation of memorial plaques

                                                                                                 

Auscultation in pre-stethescope era

There are portraits, murals and wall texts  such as these, depicting the history and story of medicine in many strategic places in the teaching blocks and hospital area at the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences. The founder of PIMS, Dr. K.M.Cheriyan was keen for students to be introduced to this journey of science and practice of medicine. 

The history of medicine of several centuries are represented in these portraits. For a student of medicine, it offers a fascinating insight of this journey which is still continuing. During my post graduate training days, pneumoencephalogram was the only investigation available to diagnose ventriculomegaly. But CT scan replaced it even before I completed my training. The progress in medicine in the last 50 years has been exponential.

Surgery during pre-anaesthetic period

What fascinates me about 100 or more of such portraits and wall texts is the educative value of these. They convey foundational values in the teaching and practice of medicine. It is a way of countering the culture of commerce which is finding its way in to medical education and hospital practice.

A small inscription, 'Christ among doctors' displayed at the wall of the main reception area is often unnoticed by many. But I like the way it is presented in a wooden frame, in a subdued way, at the entrance, in contrast to all the other large and easily visible portraits or wall texts etched in marble.  

To me this signifies that, Christ's presence with us is invisible, but sure and certain. It does not need an unnecessary loud or imposing announcement. Christ Himself was humble and took upon Himself the form of a servant, and lived among others to bring His healing and blessings. His ways of serving was intensely personal yet avoiding or seeking popularity. He disappeared quietly when others sought to bring laurels to Him. He made His intention known, when He said, 'the Son of Man came to serve and not to be served..'. He shunned popularity of any sort.

This plaque, is a symbol for all of us to carry with us a humble, gentle, and self-giving character of Jesus. When Jesus is among us in this form, how can we be in any other disposition of attitude and values!  

 The vocation of Medicine is noble because, the focus is on others and not on ourselves. 

Let me complement Dr. K.M.Cheriyan for thinking of this dimension, when he established PIMS.

M.C.Mathew( text and photo)