Nirodbaran's Correspondence with Sri Aurobindo

December 1937

Sitabala's headache has a definite relation to food. We suspect ulceration which was previously cured by olive oil. Definite diagnosis is possible only by X-ray. Do you advise it?

Yes, it is better to do it.

December 6, 1937

Dr. André says that N's is decidedly a hopeless case. Should his family be informed?

No, it is better not, for obvious reasons.

Can Jiban take regular Asram food?

He ought to be able to take it—

December 7, 1937

What should be done with N's things? Shall we distribute the clothes among the servants? Flask, easy chair, blankets, etc...

I was thinking of asking André if we can make a present of all these things to the hospital.

... Should we show A and L to André?

They can both be shown to André. What is to be done in A's case will depend on André's diagnosis.

N's death has touched me a little... If his case had been diagnosed earlier, he might not have died so soon. Here comes in the question of experience as a doctor. Intuition takes a long time to develop and a very energetic sadhana has to be done side by side. If you want to keep me as a doctor, I am tempted to ask you to send me to a big hospital for a period of training. Two or three deaths have occurred since I have come in, and people are perhaps blaming me for my lack of capacity.

I do not believe in the usefulness of a stay in a hospital—the "energetic sadhana" is much better. I can console you by assuring you that those who died had to die.

December 8, 1937

L has astigmatism of both the eyes. The veins in the eyes are congested. For accurate observation, the oculist says, it is better to dilate the eyes with atropine though it is not absolutely necessary.

Better not.

She has to stop sewing, I am afraid, because even the eye-examination gave her giddiness.

Yes, I have told her already to stop embroidery.

I think it would be better to try sun-treatment before taking to glasses.

It can be tried. But you must give her very detailed and exact instructions as she is a bit careless about herself.

I think B's is a case of phlebitis, due to chill. It would be better if he did less walking and took more rest.

Phlebitis requires an absolute immobility in bed, but it seems strange that it should be that. Dr. Bannerji told me that the real phlebitis was extremely rare in India. All the same it would be better if he took complete rest for a day or two—

December 15, 1937

Sitabala says that for her constipation she used to take bran boiled by S. She finds it a bother, so can it be taken raw?

[The Mother underlined "taken raw".]

Certainly not.

December 17, 1937

From tomorrow we shall give Shivalingam iodide and mercury, internally. But I wonder if you will like mercury being given.

[The Mother underlined "if you will like mercury being given".]

No, I do not like.

December 18, 1937

We examined B today as he was complaining of more pain at night. He has no fever and there is no deep pain, so he will be all right in 2 or 3 days, I think.

Surely it is nothing serious.

May we get bran from Bakery House?

Yes.

December 21, 1937

L.N. has appeared again... Rajangam spoke to him and he consents to go home after the 31st, if you will sanction.

Yes, it is better if he goes home.

N.P. has again that "terrible pain" on the right side. We are giving him one aspirin and one dose of salt.

N.P. is fearing the results of the salt and asks not to take it.

December 23, 1937

L has again got a relapse. Shall we call André to see her now or shall we try some tonic injections?

You can call André.

December 30, 1937