The Cornered Wolf and other Medical Stories

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The Cornered Wolf

and

other Medical Stories

Author :

Dr. Mundalaguthu Jayaram Rai

M.B.B.S. (B.M.C.); M.R.C.P. (U.K.) ; F.R.C.P. (Lond.)

Senior Consultant Cardiologist

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Dedication....

To the noble soul, who not only filled the vacuum created  by my prematurely demised father but also made me a Doctor, i.e., my maternal  uncle and also my father in law -

Dr. Mundalaguthu Thimmappa Rai

For a mother away from mother i.e., my mother in law -                                               

Mrs. Jayanthi Thimmappa Rai

To the memory of a departed soul, from whom I have learnt my own art and science of history taking, physical examination and the diagnosis, i.e.,

Dr. Rosemary Miller

Foreword

Dr. M. J. Rai is one of the reputed Cardiologists of Bangalore city. He is respected for his professional skills, temperament, and for his bedside manners. He is a gentleman doctor to the core.

Apart from the above,  I was surprised to note the other side of the coin in him  i.e., his literary talent. His first venture 'Childhood Memories' in the vernacular was a treat to read. Dr. Rai has a heart and mind to go into the depths of human behaviour and relationship.

By writing this book, Dr.  Rai has created a unique piece of medical literature. He has stirred the conscience of the 'saviours of life.' He gives us an insight into the limitations of our knowledge but not our responsibilities towards our patients. He indirectly exposes the blatant desire for sharing the loot in the name of profession. All his stories are soul searching and soul stirring. He neither glorifies nor sullies the profession.

In this book, he narrates twelve different stories connected with  the profession. His insight is enormous and astonishing. Each story has a message to convey.

In 'the Beating hearts', Mr. John, whose instinct to help others cost him his own life. Our hearts stop beating for a moment in pain and mind becomes numb when we read this story.

The 'Tripple Valve Replacement' narrates a true story of human endeavour, defeated by one simple, careless act. This reminds me of many such instances of medical negligence, which disturbs the conscience for long time.

'The crucible' is a success story of a young and brilliant doctor who solves the mysteries of many a  serious ailments in an alien country. The doctor also saves the medical fraternity from the blues of incompetence.

The inevitable outcome of 'the Crucible' is 'the Crucifix'. This title is very apt and exposes the meaness  to which some people can stoop to.  A universal disgusting human behaviour  well exposed.

In 'THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT' - Mr. Murthy, a pious elderly man, whose balanced life's rhythm was shattered by the overzealous medical fraternity which fails to recognize the relationship of human body, mind and soul. The mute witness to the failure of modern technology was his wife.

'AND THE EXTENSIVE SHARE UNIT' -  an irony/satire of an elderly lady who could have had her life spared, had the medical professionals left her alone or did the least.

'THE CORNERED WOLF' - needs a careful reading to enjoy an intricately woven mind game of a psychopath, who overwhelms an experienced psychiatrist.

The other stories are educative and enjoyable.

In the end, when we lay the book down, the characters continue to haunt our consciousness.

Salutes to Dr. M. J. Rai, - each story is a jewel which every medical professional ought to read and preserve.

Wishing him all the success in his future endeavours.

Bangalore.

Date : 25-08-2009 

Dr. M. Srinivasa

Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and

Director,  Spandana group of hospitals,

Bangalore.

Preface

I had a passion for reading stories and novels both in vernacular and in English language, right from my childhood. Out of the English literature, the short stories of Sherlock Holmes by Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle, impressed me most. Sherlock Holmes was a detective of different sorts. He broke the conventional approach of problem solving. Instead of getting the facts and figures first and then reasoning and analysing them, he would go into deep thought, imagine the entire plot, find the most likely answers, then come out of the shell, go and look for evidence in support of his conclusions!

Among the novels, 'The Citadel,' by A.J. Cronin left lasting impression on me. The story was woven around  the life of a doctor, his dreams, passions and  the reality, had left an indelible mark on my own psychae.

I had a passion for writing too, right from my childhood. My own professional and family obligations had kept me away from such an interesting hobby and childhood dream. After fulfilling  all my obligations, I am now finding time to pen down my rich experience of the profession, in these short stories.  The nucleus of  most of the stories are based on incidences happened during my professional practice in India and abroad. A little exaggeration here and there, was inevitable and pardonable crime I feel, only to make these stories interesting to the reader.

Nobody in the modern day has time and patience to sit for long hours to read a novel. The joy of reading such voluminous books, comes only at the end. That is, only if you succeed finishing them. On the other hand, short stories can be read and enjoyed at any time, including while travelling or during daily commuting to work or while waiting for food in a cafe or restaurant. The pocket size of the book is ideally suited for this.

The stories based on one's own life's experience are more powerful than those created out of one's sheer imagination- I feel. I have deliberately changed the names of places and individuals, to avoid resemblence.  If there is any resemblence to any living or dead individuals, it is purely coincidental and no offence taken.

Lastly, I hope  readers will enjoy reading this first venture of mine in English language and encourage me by their feed back and suggestions.

I remain,

Bangalore.

Date : 18-08-2009 

Mobile : 0  9341252320

Dr. M. J. Rai

    # 955, 7th Main, 9th 'A' Cross,

II stage, WOC Road,

Bangalore - 560 086. India

About the Author

The author, Dr. Mundalaguthu Jayaram Rai was born in Mundalaguthu family of South Kanara District in  Karnataka State, India.

He had his early education in Puttur and then went to Bangalore to do his medical course. He did his MBBS from Bangalore Medical College and graduated in 1970.

In 1973 he went to England for higher studies. While working in various hospitals in England, he gained invaluable experience and achieved his MRCP in internal medicine.

After the MRCP (UK), he gained three years  experience in cardiology by working in various Cardio- Thoracic Centres of UK including Nine Wells Hospital Dundee, Scottland, attached to the Dundee School of Medicine. He gained rich experience both in internal medicine and in cardiology while working in the UK.

After returning to India in 1981, he joined the M.S. Ramaiah Medical College  Bangalore, as Asst. Professor, where he served for five years. Between 1985 and 1989 he took up an assignment  as consultant cardiologist attached to the Ministry of Health in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

After returning from Saudi Arabia, he joined Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College as Associate Professor and later promoted as Professor of Medicine and Cardiology. He served the Institute for nine years of which the last three years  as the Head of the Department.

In 1996  the Royal College of Physicians of London conferred the FRCP (Lond.) in recognition of his meritorious service in the field of medical education, research and practice.

In 1998 he left the Ambedkar College to start his own Cardiac Centre in Bangalore, where he is currently working as a Consultant Cardiologist.

Dr. Rai has gained rich knowledge and experience by working in premier institutes both in India and abroad. He has published several scientific papers in reputed professional journals in India and abroad. He has given scientific lectures to various professional bodies. He is a member of several professional organizations and non professional bodies.

He has been writing  scientific articles and articles of general interest, which have been published in different magazines in India at different times. His recently published 'Childhood Memories' in the vernacular language has been well received by the Kannada speaking population.

He is hoping this