Triumph of the spirit

"Yes, of course," said Professor [Stahly]. "In such cases we do not stand on ceremony or formalities." Professor Stahly turned to the audience, "In my long career I have had to convince many such patients who were afraid of surgery, but I have never encountered such stubborn...

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Published inCanadian Medical Association journal (CMAJ) Vol. 182; no. 12; pp. E603 - E604
Main Authors Glick, Shimon M, Finaly, Robert
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Canada CMA Impact Inc 07.09.2010
CMA Joule Inc
CMA Impact, Inc
Canadian Medical Association
Subjects
Amputation - history
Arm Injuries - history
Arm Injuries - surgery
Canada
Diaries
Evaluation
Faith
Finaly, Sigismund (1808-1876)
History, 19th Century
Humanities
Humans
Hungary
Jews - history
Medical care
Medical ethics
Medical practices
Physicians
Religion and Medicine
Hungary
Canada
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Summary:"Yes, of course," said Professor [Stahly]. "In such cases we do not stand on ceremony or formalities." Professor Stahly turned to the audience, "In my long career I have had to convince many such patients who were afraid of surgery, but I have never encountered such stubbornness as in this man." Turning to the patient he asked, "Pray tell me please what is the reason that you are so opposed to amputation of your arm?" That afternoon I visited my colleague Dr. Ratzu who worked at the university clinic. He provided me with the followup history of the patient. He had been desperately ill for many weeks and all had expected his early death. But slowly, under treatment with quinine, the inflammation subsided, some of the bony fragments were excised, and by the end of the academic year the patient had recovered and returned to his village. But not before Professor Stahly presented him again to the class at the final lecture of the academic year. In the last sentence of his presentation Professor Stahly stated, "Faith can move mountains. While to us, doctors, logic and rationality are essential tools, but by their very nature they arouse doubts. Faith alone can move mountains. In this case the deep belief in God brought about the healing of our patient. Despite all the medical odds stacked against him he stands before you today with all of his limbs intact."
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ISSN:0820-3946
1488-2329
DOI:10.1503/cmaj.100966