|
Tribute:
Dr. P.R. Anthonis
The legendary Dr. P. R. Anthonis is no more. His name was synonymous
with surgery. That fate had decreed that he should operate on that
fateful day in September 26, 1958 on the late SWRD Bandaranaike who was
shot, is legendary.
As a layman, I came into contact with Dr. Anthonis in 1979-80 when my
wife was serving as a Nursing Sister at Ratnam Private Hospital, Union
Place. During this period, Dr. Anthonis performed two minor surgeries on
me on two separate occasions, for which he did not charge a single cent.
Thereafter, he wanted me to see him at his residence at Dharmapala
Road(Formerly Turret road), a week after the operation. On entering the
examination room, he wanted to know the date on which I was operated. On
mentioning the date, he referred his diary, and I was surprised to see
that he had made detailed notes on my operation. He personally removed
the plaster and the stitches and informed me that the wound had healed
perfectly, and released me with a cherubic smile and advice.
While I was at the clinic, I saw several bottles containing
interesting specimens of human body parts that he had removed from his
patients, especially stones of various sizes, some of which were fairly
large. Dr. Anthonis was reputed for removing gall bladder and kidney
stones. I suppose he has donated all these to the Medical Faculty for
posterity.
During this period I worked as an assistant journalist for the
flamboyant writer and famous journalist of all time, the late Reggie
Michael for his paper the INDEPENDENT. Reggie was wearing special
surgical socks on one of his legs, and I asked him, “Sir, why are you
wearing this?” Reggie said, “Nada, let me show you something” and saying
so, he removed the socks, and I was deeply aghast to see a large and
deep surgical scar on his leg. When I asked Reggie what had happened, he
told me that during an out-door trek in the woods, he had scraped
against a large thorny bush, and that later his leg had got badly
infected and festered, and that a long and complex operation was
performed on him by Dr. Anthonis, and said that if not for Dr. Anthonis,
he would have lost his leg.
Later on, on one of his foreign trips(I forgot which country) he
(Reggie) had shown his leg there to a reputed surgeon, and the surgeon
had re-assured him that Reggie’s leg was fine, and the surgeon had asked
Reggie, “Tell me, who performed this operation?” When Reggie had replied
that it was none other than Dr. P. R. Anthonis, the surgeon had said,”
Ah, Dr. Anthonis. Nobody but Dr. Anthonis could have performed such an
intricate operation”
I do not know whether this is the case that Upali Jayasekera is
referring to in his appreciation in the CDN of December 19. If so, I can
confidently vouch that the owner of the leg was none other than the
impish Reggie Michael, the legendary journalist, and not a businessman!.
Dr. Anthonis was specially flown several times to Male to perform
urgent Appendicitis operations. In one of Reggie Michael’s tributary
articles to his surgeon who saved his leg, Reggie described Dr. Anthonis
as the “Scalpel wielding Surgeon”.
Whenever I went to Ratnam hospital to pick up my wife, I would often
see Dr. Anthonis immaculately dressed, striding the stairways, 2 steps
at a time. He was so agile and sprightly. It was a common sight to see
the famous surgeon driving around the city visiting the various
hospitals (There were only a few private hospitals at that time) in his
well maintained Morris Minor car, which was the cynosure of all eyes. He
would always honour the wedding invitations of the hospital staff, and I
have personally seen him at the wedding reception of a minor hospital
employee. He was such a simple and humble man.
Later on, when I joined the Pharmaceutical Industry and attended the
Pharmaceutical Chamber meetings at the SLMA auditorium, I used to see a
majestic and elegant photograph of Dr. Anthonis adorning the wall along
with all those others who had served as Presidents of the SLMA . His
charming photograph had a magnetic appeal.
On the day of his death, I happened to meet a doctor at a function,
and when I told him that Dr. Anthonis had passed away, he said that it
was a pity, because the Medical profession was wanting to celebrate Dr.
Anthonis’ 100th Birthday in grand style.
May the good soul of Dr. Anthonis attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana
which he richly deserves.
- S. Nadarajah
|
