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The heights by great men reached and kept

Were not attained by sudden flight,

But they, while their companions slept,

Were toiling upwards in the night.

The above applies to late Dr. George Rajanayagam Handy on his 100th birth anniversary. Coming from an illustrious family in Jaffna, his father late Rev. C. C. Handy, the first Ceylonese to act as Principal of St. John's College, Jaffna and in whose memory stands Handy Memorial Library - Dr. G. R. Handy was left with a widowed mother when he was only 6 years old.

Helped by his elder brother, Rev. J. T. N. Handy, and the young body's determination helped by the equally devoted mother he was able to join the Medical College. His school period was strewn with prizes in many subjects both at St. John's and Trinity College, Kandy. In the Medical College winning Lucy de Abrew Gold Medal, Dr. De Heer Memorial Prize for physiology and coming 1st in every exam and finally gaining a 1st class he passed as a Medical Officer in 1927.

Whilst in UK he won the Gold Medal in D. T. M. and H. and completing his clinical exam returned to Ceylon as the first post-war physician. We both knew each other well - I was the 1st post-war surgeon - in spite of being 8 years my senior. We developed a reciprocal admiration of each one's professional skill - a cardiologist the 1st in this country and yet contributing his skill in general medicine as a Consultant Physician at the General Hospital, Colombo, now the National Hospital. Soon his great skill in bedside diagnosis had blossomed fully. One had not much aids like ultrasound scan, CT Scan, MRI Scan, Doppler tests, cardiac catheterization, multiple blood tests. He had to depend on the cardiac sounds by his stethoscope and from the physical signs observed, a correct diagnosis was made. His amazing skill in bedside-diagnosis, I could fill whole pages, but I shall give a few which will be eye-openers for the younger medical generation. From a rich family in China Fort, Beruwala, a 22 year old lady was admitted to a leading nursing home under a physician as she was running a continuous high fever with chills following a caesarian section for her 1st pregnancy. Blood tests for paratyphoid as positive yet in spite of fever was keeping up and extreme loss of appetite and lack of sleep. Again blood test for paratyphoid was positive. After about 3 weeks Dr. Handy was called in and after a careful examination he said this was not paratyphoid but that she had a localized infection in the peritoneal cavity. Soon after I opened the abdomen and removed a bag containing pus - she slept and within a week temperature came down and soon regained appetite and left hospital. Another gem merchant's wife, full of gall stones, was admitted under my care. All cardiologists passed that she would not stand any operation due to a defect in her heart. The result was no anaesthetist would take the risk. By the time Dr. Handy who had retired saw the case and pronounced that though the heart had that defect she would stand anaesthesia for even 5 hours. Finally she stood a successful operation anaesthetized by a young anaesthetist who was willing to take the risk and the patient insisted that she had complete faith in Dr. Handy's diagnosis.

A lady, 56 years of age from a rich family was admitted under me referred by Dr. Handy to Sulaiman Hospital with a diagnosis of gall stones. At this time ultrasound scan had just been introduced showed a calculi and she wanted to leave hospital. Dr. Handy told her that she must undergo an operation without depending on the ultrasound scan. Her confidence in Dr. Handy was so much that operation was done on the same day and removed 4 large stones.

When Dr. Handy had acute appendix pain at 2.30 a.m. all the physicians wanted me to see the blood tests in the morning. The patient, Dr. Handy said to me, after the others had gone away, "Dr. Anthonis, you are the surgeon you alone must decide" - within the next hour I operated and recovered a very bad appendix. He himself had diagnosed and did not want to hurt the feelings of senior physicians. He had a practice both in Cardiology and general medicine from Pt. Pedro to Dondra and across the whole country. He saw his patients many times, but at the end charged a small fee only. He was a good Christian, attended church regularly but had no time for the 'after service gathering.'

In spite of his busy practice, he found time for an active social life. His simple and charming ways won the confidence and affection of his friends and patients. He was devoted to his family. They have reciprocated his affection and in his honour donated the Dr. G. R. Handy Memorial Unit, constructed on the 3rd floor of the New Cardio Thoracic Building at the National Hospital, Colombo, a project spearheaded by his only daughter Dr. Sri Kanthi. They also donated a computer science lab to St. John's College in Jaffna in memory of this great man. There are also several scholarships for poor children who would otherwise not have been able to continue with their education. Some of Dr. Handy's famous quotes; "Man never dies, he commits suicide. He digs his grave with his own teeth."

"Service is the rent, we pay for the room we occupy on earth."

Dr. P. R. Anthonis

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