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Appreciations A
brilliant diagnostician In life's journey,
we meet many people of different moulds who influence our lives
in various ways and in various intensities. Yet it is rare to meet
and know people who influence our lives in a lasting attachment
and reciprocated friendship - still further cemented by similar
intellectual pursuits. Their brilliant achievements display great
talent in the field of their choice. Though he was
very much senior we were both caught up without being able to proceed
to the UK for higher studies for six long years owing to World War
II. These years Dr. Handy richly spent, as teacher in physiology,
the most sound foundation for a future physician. I, too, spent
the six years as surgical registrar at the General Hospital, Colombo
and anatomy demonstrator. These, again,
brought both of us together. Having proceeded to the UK, we both
returned as the first post-war physician and surgeon, respectively. These events
brought us still closer. Almost from the very start, patients flocked
to him. He became a very popular clinical teacher and fair examiner
in the final MBBS, where he displayed unquestionable integrity.
His practice embraced the whole island from Jaffna to Dondra, from
the west coast to the east coast. People of every
community, every religion and every status flocked to him. A further
training made him the first cardiologist of the country. He displayed
great prowess in every field he selected. His diagnosis had to be
made at the bedside of the patient as he did not have the advanced,
modern sophisticated diagnostic aids available to a medical man
of today. Yet his early
scientific training in physiology combined with his accurate observations
made him a brilliant diagnostician. I could quote many baffling
cases, yet one is unforgettable. A young lady, 25 years or so, caesarean
section, first child. Five days later, continuing fever, often chilly,
lasting nearly one month, and two weeks with para typhoid on two
serological analyses. At this stage,
Dr. Handy vehemently questioned the accuracy of these and made the
patient to be operated the same afternoon with the discovery of
a bag of pus in the peritoneal cavity. As he had predicted the patient
left one week later. Yet another
Muslim lady from Kalutara, with multiple gall stones, having much
chest pain. Four cardiologists pronounced that "she would not
stand a single incision". Dr. Handy, then in retirement from
the General Hospital, Colombo, differed; the patient was operated
with no problem. Though he was
the most sought after physician of the day, he yet attended to his
family. He also attended
to all social calls - many were his friends, who trusted and sought
his advice. All accepted his advice without question; so great was
the confidence people had in him. Brilliant people
are often a little eccentric and live in a world of their own. Dr.
Handy was an exception. He had time for his church and lived a true
Christian life. He never spoke ill of his colleagues, never boasted
and never retaliated when a jealous colleague spoke about him disparagingly. He maintained
almost a silent, even tenor of life with admirable dignity. He practised
his profession almost to the last. When he was bed-ridden he never
grumbled, but bore up cheerfully and calmly and passed away peacefully
at 93 years. She was a mother
to her siblings and guardian to the less fortunate She had the
misfortune of losing her mother at a very young age. In the interest
of his six children, her father chose not to marry a second time
and the mantle of guardianship fell upon her young shoulders. She
carried that responsibility admirably. She proved to be a good mother
and loving sister to her two female and three male siblings. Consequently,
she had to sacrifice her own formal education. However, God
opened yet another door for her. In the '50 and '60s, a seamstress
was well regarded and eagerly sought after in the community. She
chose this as a home-based profession. In addition, she dressed
brides - as, in the then conservative Ceylon Moor community, mothers
would not dream of getting the services of a man to dress a bride.
Rather than considering it as profession, she performed it as a
social service. Those who could afford, compensated her, those who
couldn't left a word of thanks and became her friends ever after.
She contributed
her earnings to educating her sisters and brothers who are now professionals. During the
socialist regime when food controls were strictly enforced, the
poor were left high and dry. Together with her siblings, her house
was a haven to many orphans and elderly women. Though her own resources
were severely restricted, there were streams of poor relatives who
made unannounced calls, specially at meal times. May Allah in
His absolute mercy grant her Jennatul Firdous (the highest felicity).
D.C. Ambagahawatta
He was a noble
man in deed and word. He was religious,
honest and duty-conscious. He helped anyone who sought his assistance.
I remember
the time when I helped him with his legal documents. He taught me
how to do the work neatly. As a beginner,
who was earning money for the first time, he also taught me how
to save. Still in my mind's eye I see his smiling face. The echo
of his voice brings tears to our eyes. May he attain
Nibbana! Maurice
Paul You grew up
to be a wonderful man and did well. You were blessed with a loving
wife and son. But I lost that jewel very soon, never to find it
again until that great day when the Lord will come to us. I think of
you every moment, my beloved son, with an aching heart and tear.
You were called
to rest so early in life. Sixteen sad years have passed by. I cry,
I sigh and dream of you so often. Memories will never die, they
live for ever my darling son. You will joyfully rest with the Lord
till we meet.
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