Birth
By
A.J. Cronin
Q: “I
have done something; oh, God! I’ve done something real at last.” Why does
Andrew say this? What does it mean?
Andrew
Manson, the protagonist in A.J. Conin’s story “Birth,” says this line after
successfully reviving a stillborn baby. Throughout the story, Andrew is portrayed
as young doctor, full of theoretical knowledge but lacking in real-world
experience. The successful resuscitation of the baby marks a pivotal moment in
his career, as it is the first time he feels he has truly made a significant
difference in someone’s life.
The
exclamation reflects Andrew’s deep sense of accomplishment and relief. After
witnessing the hardships of the Morgan family and the intense pressure of the
situation, Andrew’s success is a validation of his skills and purpose as a
physician. It is a moment of personal triumph where he realizes the real impact
he can have through his profession. This success transforms his earlier
self-doubt and frustration into a profound sense of achievement.
Q:
There lies a great difference between textbook medicine and the world of a
practising physician. Discuss.
In “Birth,”
A.J. Cronin illustrates the vast difference between the theoretical knowledge a
doctor gains from textbooks and the practical challenges faced in real-life
situations. Textbook medicine is often systematic, predictable, and based on
ideal scenarios, while the world of a practicing physician is full of uncertainties,
emotional complexities, and the need for quick, decisive action.
Andre
Manson’s experience in the story highlights this contrast. Despite being
well-versed in medical theory, Andrew finds himself in a situation where textbook
knowledge alone in insufficient. The intense pressure, the emotional stakes of
the Morgan family, and the unpredictability of the childbirth complications require
Andrew to go beyond what he has learned in textbook. He must rely on his
intuition, quick thinking, and the ability to adapt to the immediate demands of
the situation.
This
difference underscores the importance of experience and the human element in
medicine. A practicing physician must navigate not only the physical symptoms
and treatments but also the emotional and psychological aspects of patient
care. The story shows that true medical practice involves compassion, empathy,
and the ability to respond to the unique circumstances of each case-qualities
that cannot be fully captured in textbooks.
Q: Do
you know of any incident when someone has been brought back to life from the
brink of death through medical help. Discuss medical procedures such as organ
transplant and organ regeneration that are used to save human life.
Yes,
I remember such an incident, when my cousin was in labour. She gave birth to a
child but the child was not breathing. The midwife called my uncle who himself
was a doctor. When he observed the child, he wrote some medicines on the paper and
asked the father of the child to bring them as quickly as possible. He hurried
off. In the meantime, my uncle brought the newborn near fireplace and started
to give CPR to the newborn. Then he flipped him and patted his back. After 15
minutes or so, the baby started to sneeze and breathe.
In
the context of organ transplantation, countless lives have been saved through
the transplantation of vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, liver, and
lungs. The procedure involves removing the diseased organ and replacing it with
a healthy one from a donor. This complex surgery requires precise matching of
donor and recipient, as well as careful post-operative care to prevent organ rejection.
Organ
regeneration is another cutting-edge area of medical science. Research into
stem cells and tissue engineering holds the promise of regenerating damaged
organs or tissues. For example, scientists are working on ways to grow new
heart tissue damage caused by heart attacks. Though still largely experimental,
these advances could revolutionize the treatment of organ failure and extend
human life expectancy.
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