1952 - 1954 Preclinical Medical Education

Dr.Balakrishna M. Ramaraju

How time passes. It did not wait . I look back to those by gone days , six decades , nineteen fifties . 1952 - 1954 My first two years of Medical College , Anatomy , Embryology , Histology , Physiology , Biochemistry , Organic Chemistry - Huge Text Books , Voluminous Literature , mind boggling - Grey's Anatomy , Cunningham Three Volumes , McGregor Anatomy Of Tissues , R J Last Anatomy , Best and Taylor Physiology , Starling Physiology , Fulton Physiology , Thorpe Biochemistry , Sarkar&Rakshith Organic Chemistry - I am surprised that I still remember all those readings , days and nights after all these sixty years ; that only shows how much those books had their imprints on my cerebral cortex , left their foot prints in my memory - I made a mark , I enjoyed those years , I did well in three directions - 1. Academic , 2. Athletic , and 3. Cultural - all with encouragement from my professors , specially Seetharaamayya gaaru Physiology Professor , Ganesan for Sports and Baburao in Athletics . First Academic Path : I did very well in all the above mentioned Preclinical Subjects - took active part in debates , essay writing , competitive examinations - I remember I got First Prize for my essay about Malaria , Female Anopheles Mosquito - and malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum life cycle and transmission to humans - I myself suffered from attacks of Malaria - Guntur is endemic for Malaria ; I took part in debate about Anemias - Nutritional , Anemic Anemia , Anoxic Anemia , Histotoxic Anemia , Pernicious Anemia , Aplastic Anemia , Megaloblastic Anemia ; I took part in competitive examination - theory and orals regarding Radioactive Isotopes - quite an active academic period - I am not trying to boast nor am I trying to sell myself , I am only reminiscing . Second Cultural Activity - I played in Dramas - Thelugu and English but me being of no Hollywood stuff did not pursue that line . My Third is Sports sojourn - played Volleyball , Cricket - spin bowling & batting 2 down , Table Tennis ( Ping Pong ) ; Hardcourt Tennis , but I must confess I did not shine much and so that path did not amount to much . But overall I had a satisfactory two year academic period 1952 - 1954 at Guntur Medical College - gained recognition from My Respected Professors and few friends , But Most Important Aspect That I Am Proud Of is for the first time in my life in 1954 when I am 20 years old My Father Started taking Note Of My Achievement , and even though HE never expressed His appreciation to my face , but I could see Certain Respect , Pride in His Eyes , so I have arrived as A Grown up worthy Adult in my own home to be recognized as someone important - There is a saying in Thelugu - Before One Achieves Name and fame abroad , one should also gain certain recognition of one's potentiality at home - That Is What I Achieved At Home and now I am Confident To Face The Outside Wide World which is soon going to engulf me - so friends and well wishers please abide with me - I am not asking you to respect me , but only to wish me well if you may and as I proceed you can come with me if you have the time and patience . anasooyaathreyabaalakrishnamurthyramaraju