Lessons I Still Remember - 4

Sent in by Lakshman Abeyagunawardene

William Harvey and his discovery of blood circulation in the human body.

By the end of Term Two during our 2nd MB days, we had got quite used to the "Sigs" that we had to face ever so regularly in the Anatomy Block. It was about this time that the same system of continuous evaluation was introduced in Physiology as well. Whether we liked it or not, we had to prepare for these Physiology "Sigs" in addition to the regular "Sigs"in Anatomy.

Being the first few names in the batch in alphabetical order, Lakshman Abeyagunawardene (that's me), Sunil Abeysuriya, Surangani Abeysuriya, Rohini Abhayaratne and Lalantha Amarasinghe were in the same "Signature" group. One of the first "Sigs" in Physiology was taken by Dr. Carlo Fonseka who was then a Lecturer in Physiology. His first question to the group was "Who discovered blood circulation in the human body"? He added that whoever gave the correct answer will get a "Very Good" straightaway. Lalantha Amarasinghe lost no time in raising his hand and saying "William Harvey". True to his word, a highly impressed Dr. Fonseka took Lalantha's signature card and marked "Very Good". All of us went through the rest of the oral test, but as advised by Dr. Fonseka, I made it a point to read (or re-read) that relevant section in our Physiology text book. I have not forgotten William Harvey and his momentous discovery to this day. It's a lesson I still remember.

It was not by reading Samson Wright's "Text Book of Applied Physiology" that I learnt the above fact. It was through the "Phys Sig" that Dr. Fonseka conducted.

                                                         William Harvey (1578 – 1657)