Medical Maladies: Stories of Disease and Cure From Indian Languages (F.B)

Book Details:

• Publisher: Niyogi Books

• Author: Haris Qadeer

• Language: English (Translation)

• Binding: Paperback

• Number of Pages: 340

• Release Date: 01-12-2022

• ISBN: 9789391125752

• Part Number: 20695

About the Book:

Medical Humanities: An Anthology of Indian Short Stories is a pioneering anthology that brings together 19 thought-provoking and compelling short stories translated into English from various Indian languages, including Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, Kashmiri, Marathi, Malayalam, Punjabi, Odia, and Urdu. The collection reflects a diverse spectrum of medical cultures and concerns in India.

The anthology touches upon themes such as medical pluralism, patient care, the individual and social crises during epidemics, medical ethics, medical paternalism, disease-mongering, and medicalization, alongside issues of women’s mental and physical health, including pregnancy, childbirth, abortion, and depression. Through these stories, readers are introduced to both modern medical professionals like doctors, nurses, and surgeons, as well as traditional healers such as vaids, hakims, kavirajs, quacks, and folk healers.

The stories range from the early 20th century to contemporary works, featuring renowned authors such as Rabindranath Tagore, Premchand, and Saadat Hasan Manto, alongside medical practitioners like Rashid Jahan and Shirin Shrikant Valavade. Modern writers such as Annie Zaidi and Jeelani Bano also contribute to this rich collection.

This anthology provides fresh insights into the intersection of literature and medicine, offering readers a deeper understanding of medical concerns, societal challenges, and the evolving nature of healthcare in India. It is a significant contribution to the field of medical humanities, demonstrating how literature can shed light on the nuances of healthcare and human well-being in a rapidly changing world.