Ask the Expert:- MANOBHAWAYE ABADHA- MOOD DISORDERS - BY DOUGLAS MULGIRIGAMA

The launch of MANASIKA SAUKYAYA 2 - MANOBHAWAYE ABADHA

The second book by Dr Douglas Mulgirigama, Retd Consultant Psychiatrist

Douglas Mulgirigama published his second book on the 5th of June 2023. The launch of the first book was reported in our Blog on the 17^th of December 2019. Here is the link: Please click on it to open the post and the 39 comments on it:

https://colombomedgrads1962.blogspot.com/2021/12/douglas-mulgirigama-first-book.html#comment-form

The launch of his first book, titled ‘මානසික පීඩනය සහ කාංසාව (“Mental Stress and Anxiety”), was on the 19th of January 2019 at BMICH. The Chairperson was Professor Ven Kotapitiye Rahula. By good fortune, it was at the time of the 150th-anniversary celebrations of the Medical College and a few of our Batch mates were able to attend. Those who attended included: Pramilla Senanayake, Bandula Jayasekera, Lucky Abeyagunewardene, Indra Anandasabapathy, Dharmani and Amara Markalanda.

At the launch, Douglas said “I am very proud to be a Sri Lankan and from my young days took great interest in studying the history of Sri Lanka, Sinhala Language and Buddhism. Probably my close contact with the local temple and the monks were influential in this. I also became interested in studying medicine. It was a Buddhist monk in the temple who germinated the seed describing it as a Noble Profession and the enormous merit one could gain by helping others and healing the sick”.

About his second book, Douglas says, “My second book is titled, ‘Mood Disorders - Depression and Mania’ which I wrote in Sinhala same as my first book entitled ‘Mental Stress and Anxiety’. Last month I have been in Sri Lanka running round and preoccupied with getting the book published. Sarasavi Publishers did an excellent job, and the book was launched at the Sarasavi Book Shop, at Nugegoda on Monday the 5th of June 2023. Pramila very kindly attended the occasion representing my whole batch. I am very thankful to her. Attaching few photos of the occasion. Mr H. D. Premasiri (Owner and Director of Sarasavi Publishers) presenting the book to me, and me presenting the book, among others to Pramila.  Very happy to be able to continue this project which I am hoping to write on mental Health topics as a series in Sinhala”

What he stated at the first book launch, “I have two aims: to make accurate and up-to-date information on Mental Health available to the public and making at least a modest attempt to reduce the stigma attached to Mental illness”, still applies.

The book is available online for LKR 1080 (plus postage) from:-

https://www.sarasavi.lk/manasika-saukyaya-2---manobhawaye-abadha-9553128270

On behalf of all the ColomboMedgrads1962, I salute you with great pride and admiration.

Mahendra “Speedy”  Gonsalkorale

The Deck of Cards- Sent in by Sanath Lamabadusuriya

The Deck of Cards

Sent in by Sanath Lamabadusuriya

Did you know that the Traditional Deck of the Playing Cards are a strikingly coherent form of a Calendar?

There are 52 weeks in the year, and so are 52 Playing Cards in a Deck.

There are 13 weeks in each Season, and thus there are 13 cards in each suit.

There are 4 Seasons in a Year and 4 Suits in the Deck.

There are 12 Months in a Year, so there are 12 Court Cards (Those with faces, namely Jack, Queen and King in each suit)

The Red Cards represent the Day, while the Black Cards represent the Night.

If you let Jacks = 11, Queens = 12, and the Kings = 13, then add up all the sums of 1 + 2 + 3 + …to 13 = 91. Multiply this by 4, for the 4 Suits, therefore, 91 x 4 = 364. Add 1 that is the Joker, and you will arrive at the number 365 being the Days in a Year?

Is that a mere coincidence or a greater intelligence?

Of interest is the sum of the letters in all the names of the cards; e.g.: add up the letters in "one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, Jack, Queen, King" = 52!

The Spades indicate ploughing/ working.

The Hearts indicates Love thy crops.

The Clubs indicate flourishing and growth.

The Diamonds indicate reaping Wealth.

There is a deeper Philosophy than just merely a Game of Playing Cards. The Mathematical perfection is mind-blowing.

From Speedy: There are several Videos on YouTube on – “The Deck of Cards” with a religious connotation. If you click on the links below, the video will appear in a new tab on your browser.

Some of the best-known are:

Tex Ritter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsCiaxPhtVY

Jake Saafan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TjzcM61mdE

T Tex Tyler (1948)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZWU_RXk7wg

Smile awhile -Suriyakanthi Amarasekera

Smile A While - an offering for our Blog.

From Dr Suriyakanthi Amarasekera

Some case notes written by doctors can be rather amusing. A missing letter, a misplaced comma, or a slight grammatical error can make all the difference.

Given below are some actual entries  found in BHTs

    

    On the second day, the knee was better, and on the third day, it disappeared completely.

·       The patient refused an autopsy

·       The patient has no past history of suicides

·       The skin was moist and dry

·       The patient was alert and unresponsive

·       The patient has been depressed ever since she began seeing me in 2003

·       The patient is tearful and crying constantly. She also appears to be depressed.

·       The patient lives at home with his mother, father, and pet turtle, who is presently enrolled in a nursery three times a week.

·       The patient was in his usual state of good health until his car collided with another vehicle.

·       I saw your patient today, who is still under our car for physiotherapy.

·       While in the emergency room, she was examined, X- rated. and sent home.

·       She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life until last year when she got a divorce.

·       When she fainted, her eyes rolled around the room.

·       The baby was delivered, the cord clamped and cut, and handed to the paediatrician, who breathed and cried immediately

SAD NEWS- SRIANI BASNAYAKE'S HUSBAND RALPH PASSES AWAY

NEWS JUST IN

Ralph Wickremaratne passes away

Suri just informed me that Ralph Wickremaratne, husband of our batchmate Sriani Dissanayake Basnayake, passed away today after a short illness.

I recall Ralph for his Rugby prowess at Royal College. He was a key member of the team that won the Bradby Shield after a lapse of 7 years in 1958.

He became a planter and later went to Australia before returning to Sri Lanka after 26 years.

Funeral details are not yet available but are expected to be most likely on Thursday.

Update 07/06.

Funeral arrangements for Ralph Wickremaratne at AF Raymonds tomorrow 8 th June from 2-4 pm ( closed coffin) service @ 4 PM

We offer our sincere condolences to Sriani and all family members.

May he Rest In Peace

The above photo was taken at Jetwing Blue Hotel, Negombo, at the 50^th Anniversary celebratory Reunion of our Batch in March 2017.

It shows from Left to Right:- Chitra, Sriani, Dharmani, Lucky, Ralph and Mangala

The Praying Hands - Nihal D Amarasekera

The Praying Hands

By Dr Nihal D Amerasekera 

I was a boarder at Wesley College for six years. There is a certain intensity to the memories of boarding life. There was a small room sandwiched between the busy and noisy dormitories. This was our chapel. It had a quiet and reflective atmosphere and was a place of shelter and sanctuary from the ever-present storms of life in the boarding. What touched us all was its sheer simplicity.  The walls were bare. There was no furniture but for a lectern placed in a corner. We sat on the floor for a short service every evening. The floor was clean, polished and shiny. The sermon was conducted by the staff. Mr L.A Fernando was a charismatic teacher and a towering presence on the teaching scene at Wesley from the 1950s and well into the 60's. One evening when we were all gathered in the Chapel, he brought with him a parcel. He carefully unwrapped a painting and said, “I’m going to tell you a story”.  He was famous for his stories, and there was a buzz of excitement in the room. Mr Fernando unfolded the legend behind the famous artwork, “Praying Hands”, which was to adorn the Chapel wall. 

It was a painting by Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528).  He was a supremely gifted and versatile artist. Albrecht lived in Nuremberg in Southern Germany with his parents. He began work as an apprentice to his father who was a goldsmith. His remarkable talent was recognised at the age of 13 when he did a self-portrait. His father arranged for him to be trained by a famous artist, Michael Wohlgemuth. 

The painting of the Praying Hands, done in 1508, is presently located and displayed at the Albertina Museum in Vienna, Austria. The Praying Hands is a pen and ink drawing of a man in prayer. The folded sleeves are shown, but not the body. This is recognised as one of the most famous drawings of all time. There is great controversy about the history of the ‘Praying Hands’.  Much research has been done in the past century about this most remarkable painting. There has been a long-held view that the hands were a part of another painting by Dürer called the ‘Heller Altarpiece’. Dürer was famous for his self-portraits and he has done them at several stages of his life. Hence, Christof Metzger's well-researched opinion is that Dürer has drawn his own hands. The true history and the inspiration for this artwork, however, is lost in the fog of time. 

Bringing the hands together to pray is believed to have originated in Hinduism many thousand years ago. This gesture was taken and then used by many other religions and cultures. Bringing the hands together in this way can mean respect, obedience or even submission. 

Fact or fiction, there is a deeper story attached to this famous painting, one of familial love, supreme sacrifice and sincere homage, a narrative which has survived the test of time.  Albrecht was one of 18 children in the family. His father had to work 18 hours a day to feed the children. Two of his older children Albrecht and Albert wanted to become painters. Their father could only afford to send one to the Academy at Nuremburg to study art. After much discussion, the story goes, that they tossed a coin. The agreement was for one to attend the academy while the other laboured in the coal mines to pay for art school. After completing the training, he can sell his art and pay for the other brother to attend the Academy. Albrecht won the ‘toss’ and went to the Academy first. Albert did the dangerous work in the mines for 4 years. After Albrecht’s training, his work was greatly admired, and he became well known. His commissioned work earned him large sums of money. When the young artist returned to the village after 4 years, in all his glory, his father held a festive dinner. After a long and memorable meal, Albrecht rose to drink a toast to his brother for the years of sacrifice. All heads turned towards Albert, who was in tears with his head bowed. Albrecht said, “My dearest brother, now it is your turn to go to the academy”. Albert sobbed and said, “No, I cannot attend the academy now. See what working in the mine has done to my hands. It is far too late for me. Every bone in my hands have broken at least once, and I now suffer from arthritis. I cannot even raise a glass for a toast with my right hand”. Albrecht was deeply saddened by this news. As a tribute to Albert’s supreme sacrifice, Albrecht later drew his brother’s hands in prayer simply calling the painting “Hands”. The painting was so pleasingly intimate. The world who saw this loving tribute preferred to rename it “Praying Hands”. Through its religious connotations and artistic beauty, It is now among the most famous drawings of all time and one of the most heavily reproduced. 

As an artist of repute, Albrecht Dürer travelled widely to the Netherlands, Switzerland and Italy to learn further from the Great Masters. Dürer was greatly influenced by Italian art. He soon became a leading artist of the Renaissance period. Through his talent, intellect and expertise, Albrecht became friends with influential, rich and famous people, including the Roman Emperor Maximilian 1.  Dürer remains one of the finest artists Europe has produced. His paintings adorn museums all around the world. 

Physicians who have studied the painting suggest there are signs of disease and human suffering in the hands depicted. The bent little finger of the right hand may be due to Dupuytren’s contracture. There is muscle wasting, perhaps due to diabetic neuropathy. Due to the deformity of the fingers and the left thumb, some have suggested rheumatoid arthritis. All this is pure conjecture. The details shown in this drawing is said to be the result of Dürer’s exposure to the Renaissance culture of Italian art. 

This story and the painting have been a special favourite of Christians for several centuries. The painting hangs in homes, churches and schools as a reminder of our need to pray.

It is often hard to fathom from the external appearance what burdens people carry all through their lives. Once we know the true stories of their lives we learn to appreciate and respect their perseverance and sacrifices. 

I have now lived abroad for half a century. Visiting art galleries and museums in Europe and the USA have given me immense pleasure over many years. They offer a wonderful opportunity to journey through time.  Dürer’s paintings are easy on the eyes and speak volumes. Whenever I see a painting of Albrecht Dürer, I am transported across the seas to Wesley College and to the chapel where I first saw the “Praying Hands”. Being the only photo in the little chapel in the boarding, the artwork had a tremendous impact on us all. I thank Mr L.A Fernando for his thoughtful gift, which had remained a shrine to a legend. On a visit to my school in 2012 it brought me great sadness to see that the boarding has ceased to exist.  Perhaps a sign of the times!! I stood there bewildered by the emptiness and mesmerised by the sound of silence. It all looked so sad and derelict. Just for a brief moment, I was transported to those wondrous days of hustle and bustle. Memories came flooding back of friends and those glorious times of long ago. I had to wipe a tear as I stepped out into the afternoon sunshine. 

We live in a fast-moving world. There doesn’t seem to be any time for others, except oneself.

But if we take a step back we realise there are many who have helped us along the way, including our parents, teachers and friends. Let us not allow this help and sacrifice to be taken for granted. We must remember the many who have fought in the great wars and given their lives so that we can live free. No one makes it alone in this world. 

Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice and is never the result of selfishness.

-          Napoleon Hill

MEDICAL BATCH 62 REMEMBRANCE DAY

TODAY, MAY 30th, IS MEDICAL BATCH 62 REMEMBRANCE DAY

We had a very good response from colleagues, and I was pleased to post a series of reminiscences and appreciations in the last week.

This is a short video to complete the series, and I like to thank everybody who contributed and commented and the many who do access the Blog although they do not always post comments.

PLEASE CLICK ON THE ARROW IN THE YOUTUBE ICON FOLLOWED BY A CLICK ON THE FULL-SCREEN ICON (which will appear when you click on the youtube arrow) ON THE RIGHT, TO ENJOY THE VIDEO. IT WILL PLAY FULLSCREEN.

I like to post Kumar Gunawardane's  Poem again as a most suitable finale for this year.

“Death has nothing to do with going away,
 The sun sets,
 And the moon sets,
 But they are not gone”
                                       Jalal-ad-Din  Rumi
So, we should ponder,
Our friends are not gone.
Rather, we will remember,
“The  splendour in the grass”
The laughter, 
The joy,
The loves,
The boozy babels.
 
Also, the dejection of defeat,
Of anguish,
Of separation,
Of heartbreaks.
 
We  who remain, 
shall,
Hold on to the golden thread,
Of the gleaming years,
Of our fleeting youth,
Riding our winged chariots,
Spurred on by our tribe,
Of glorious lads and lasses

Medical Batch 62 Remembrance Day 2023 (8)

A Meeting of friends in the After-World

A fictional historical short story 

By ‘Speedy’ Mahendra Gonsalkorale

Context: Our 49 departed colleagues cannot meet again  This story is about a fictional reunion attempting to bring out some of the features of the group we are familiar with  I was inspired by the Booker Prize winner Sheehan Karunatileka who had a fictional after-life theme in his book, the seven moons of Maali Almeida. I hope it is accepted in the spirit I wrote it.

I woke up and was surprised that I had no weakness in my limbs. I looked for Sura, but she was not there. The whole place looked strange and misty. I got up and to my surprise, and was able to walk through the door to a large hall and guess who was there?  The first person I met was Cecil Saverimuttu! I was a bit anxious about my speech but was delighted when I was able to exchange the customary “hello machang” without any problem at all. Cecil was delighted "Hi JC! Nice to see you!"

Before long, we were joined by Mangalam and Victor Hector. Mangalam looked her usual vivacious self but Victor was fidgeting and looked a bit nervous. He usually sticks to being with his wife on social occasions. I was surprised that both were not wearing specs. I asked about that and both said that in this place, you can see everything clearly without specs. Mangalam was looking around as if she was expecting somebody and suddenly uttered a happy shriek and ran forward to embrace none other than Zita! Zita was discussing poetry and music while having a glass of “something” with Lucky Weerasooriya who was the first person to greet her when she entered ethe After-World. Lucky was full of praise for Kamini who had arrived before him with HN and was so nice to him as he felt a bit lost at first. Time appeared to be frozen and nothing seemed to change.

We stopped chattering as drinks were being served and it was was Razaque, and Desmond doing the honours! Razaque was cracking jokes as usual and Desmond was laughing! A kind of loudspeaker (well it looked like one but was floating around like a drone) then made an announcement that we were about to see a mini-drama performed by Kuruppu and Batu with choreography by Sue Ratnavale. Sue looked so happy chattering away and moving from table to table before she went to change her dress for the drama. The Tables were very different to what I had seen on Earth. They had no legs and seemed to float in the air. Batu was very quiet and seemed quite happy for Ranjit to do all the talking.

The Act was most impressive and enjoyable, and two people I instantly recognised came to the stage to propose a Vote of Thanks. I had to blink several times that I wasn’t dreaming as it was Sardha in an elegant white saree with a blue border and Sarvananda. Even now I am not sure why they were chosen for this task, but Sardha told me later that she was here a few Earth years before Sarvananda came and he seems to have the gift of speaking well to an audience.

I walked into the next room as I heard a Band playing familiar music. Again, there was something odd about it as the drums appeared to float in front of the drummer, and the guitars appeared to be almost stuck to the guitarist without any strap.  There were a lot of animated dancers, and the first person I bumped into was Suren Iyer, in a neat white outfit. He was grinning from ear to ear as usual and invited me to join his group, which included Collure, again sporting a big smile, and Manohari. It was lovely to see them again, and Suren called me to a side and asked whether I could persuade JG who was in a corner by himself, to join the group. But before I could do that, I was beaten to it by a boyish-looking chap with the biggest grin you ever saw. Who was he? It was Veda! Veda was with a stocky chap I couldn’t recognise at first, but when I approached him, he put his arms around me with a “Hello JC, lovely to see you!” It was Jaimon. Jaimon looked very content and asked us whether we recognised the Band people. I confessed I hadn’t because the overhead lights floating near the ceiling were dim. The mood changed, and the Band started playing Baila and the lights started emitting bright colours. I couldn’t help joining them. Then I recognised those in the Band- they were Rajasooriyar, Punsiri, and Arul Sivaguru. I must confess I was really surprised as I didn’t realise they had musical skills. Suren told me that I am still thinking in Earthly terms. Here in the After-World, if your desire to play a musical instrument is very strong and sustained, you will be able to do it.

Our conversation was interrupted in a welcoming way by the appearance of that lovely lady, Priya. Full of laughter and wonderful stories. I was so glad to see her. She dragged us to a group a few tables away and was eager to show us Lucien and Srikantha! Srikantha looked suave, wearing a black suit and conversing earnestly with another lovely lady who arrived only a few months before him. It was Kamali Nimalsuriya who seemed to dispute Srikantha’s claim that a mortal body contains only this much of sodium, using his pinched fingers. I didn’t want to get into an argument and was wondering what to do when somebody tapped my shoulder. I turned round and was astonished to see Balakumar and Cigar in earnest conversation discussing, I am not sure what. Cigar excused himself as he was asked to join the Band.

I kept walking till I found a display area where there were red motorcycles, and my heart missed a beat as the rider trying it was Tilak Dayaratne! He was disputing a claim by another person I had not seen for years, and it was Satchi who claimed that BSA Bantam was much better. The tall gentleman who was nodding his head in agreement was Sivakumar.

I kept walking and entered a room which was like a prayer room with the faint aroma of burning incense, and there was a woman kneeling in prayer. I gasped when I recognised her. It was Anna Ponnambalam. She was as sweet as ever with a big red pottu and told me I could come here whenever I wanted. She made a little face and whispered that some who really need to be here are more interested in arguing. She pointed to a little alcove where two people were arguing. I was curious and walked up to see whether I knew them. Imagine my surprise when I recognised Tudor and Kiththa! Tudor slapped me on the back playfully with his hand quite strongly and I was ready to wince, but here in the After-World, it didn’t hurt at all. Kiththa excused himself to go to another room. He said something about a cricket quiz.

I heard familiar voices from the table right at the end and was delighted to meet Sundarampillai and NCDM, with Somasunderam. Soma was trying to persuade somebody to have a drink of whisky, but he was declining. When I went closer, I realised why I did not recognise him as he was not wearing his customary thick-rimmed black specs. It was BL Perera! BL recognised me at once and took me to his table as he wanted me to meet some old friends. I am so glad I did, as I met Kumasingham and LGDK Herath. Herath still could not resist adjusting his trousers on his bum.

Hearing laughter coming through the corridor, I walked that way and was greeted by my old friend Ganash who was sipping orange juice while his two companions were enjoying a glass of whisky. Ganash showed genuine pleasure to see me and we reminisced on the days when we lived quite close to each other in Colpetty. When I saw the other two, I felt quite at home as I recognised Chandrasiri and Claude Bernard. They arrived here quite a few years ago and told us how they were greeted and shown around by a lovely couple who appeared so happy. The lady was wearing a pink saree and had long single platt, and the gent was in a plain shirt and trousers. They were Dawne and Russel Paul!

I was just catching up with them when the Band stopped playing, and Suren Iyer walked up to the stage. There was a hushed silence before he spoke. “Ladies and Gentlemen, put your hands together and warmly welcome the One Who Came Here First., Dr Sunna de Silva!”. Sunna walked in with a slightly bent posture and paused before he, with immense skill, cracked a really hilarious joke which caused fits of laughter. But his facial expression remained totally deadpan! I thought to myself, “somethings never change”