By Mahendra (Speedy) Gonsalkorale
There is
probably no limit to the recollection of interesting episodes during our
Faculty times. I regard the Blog as a proper medium to record some of these and
hope many others will follow. In this post, I close my eyes and transport
myself back to the mid-sixties to the Physiology Lecture theatre, a place I
recall with a mixture of awe, veneration and wonderment. When I first walked
into that theatre with its wooden panelling, tiered rows of seats arranged in a
semi-circle with a long front desk behind which was a big blackboard, for me it
was like walking into a place of worship. The currently hackneyed word
“awesome” describes it well.
The occasion I
am reliving was an evening Lecture by a new Neurosurgeon by the name of Darrel
Weinman. The hall was packed and before the arrival of the Lecturer, there was
the usual loud indecipherable cacophony of voices mingled with the noise of
feet on the platform on which the chairs were arranged.I observed that last
minute preparations were being made on the front desk by the Chairman, who I
think was Prof Koch but my memory is not infallible.
Suddenly, the
noise subsided quickly to be replaced by the pregnant silence of eager
anticipation. Dr Darrel Weinman, looking young, smart and dapper, walked in with
a big smile lighting up his handsome face. He was much shorter than I expected
and was wearing an academic gown. He looked very distinguished and learned.
The Chairman
introduced him with a brief but informative speech and invited Dr Weinman to
address the audience. The exact topic is not of importance for this short
essay. What he actually said is also not of great relevance. It is the manner
of delivery, the visual aids used and his incredible ability to hold the
audience spellbound with his eloquence and mastery of the topic that has stood
in my memory. I had never before been to a Lecture so beautifully illustrated
with a slick slide presentation. Not for him the “next slide please”. He
signalled when he wanted the next slide with a press of the little “batta” he
held in the palm of his hand, invisible
to us, which emitted a loud and sharp clicking noise when pressed. These were
days long before computers and PowerPoint. The slides had to be made and mounted
individually in the Photographic department. The Lecture had to be planned and
made ready days before the presentation as no last minute editing was possible.
All this required skill and mastery of the topic and Dr Weinman certainly
possessed these qualities.
He spoke for
about 40 minutes or so during which there was perfect silence only to be broken
by prolonged and loud applause when he finished, which he modestly acknowledged
with that warm and charming smile we all recall with endearment.
The
physiology lecture theatre is also fondly remembered for other virtuoso
presenters such as Dr Carlo Fonseka, Dr Wickrema Wijenaike, Prof “Bull” Seneviratne,
just to mention a few. Who can forget our first days in the Faculty when we sat
strictly according to alphabetical order ready with pen, and with note book
perched on the little wooden pad on the right arm of the chair? Who can forget
the loud noise we made by stamping on the wooden platforms on which the chairs
were placed when there was occasion to cheer or applaud? The acoustics and the
seating arrangement were perfect. After many decades of sitting in various
auditoriums and lecture theatres in many countries, I regard the Old Physiology
Lecture theatre as one of the best.
As we all
know, Dr Darrel Weinman passed away recently.I was prompted to write this
article when my thoughts turned to him when I heard of his demise. I regard
myself as very fortunate to have benefitted from his knowledge, teaching
ability and kindness; truly a great doctor and human being.
Darrel Weinman was born on November 20, 1929.
