English

BIRTH

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BIRTH

▪ About the Author

A. J. Cronin, was a Scottish

physician and novelist. His best-
known novel The Citadel tells
story of a Scottish doctor in a
Welsh mining village.

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BIRTH
▪ About the Chapter

“Birth” is an excerpt from “The Citadel” that revolves around

Andrew Manson who just graduated from medical school. It is
an account of how the newly graduated medical practitioner
helped in bringing Joe and Susan’s child into this world despite
going through a tough time with his girlfriend Christine.

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BIRTH

In this excerpt from The Citadel, Andrew Manson, newly out of

medical school, has just begun his medical practice as an assistant to
Dr Edward Page in the small Welsh mining town of Blaenelly. As he
is returning from a disappointing evening with Christine, the girl he
loves, he is met by Joe Morgan. Joe and his wife, who have been
married nearly twenty years, are expecting their first child.

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 BIRTH
THOUGH it was nearly midnight when Andrew reached
Bryngower, he found Joe Morgan waiting for him, walking up
and down with short steps between the closed surgery and the
entrance to the house. At the sight of him the burly (strong)
driller’s face expressed relief.

Andrew is a doctor. He reached his home at Bryngower at about

midnight. Joe Morgan was waiting for him. Joe was walking between
the closed operation theater of the hospital and the entrance of
Andrew’s house. Joe was heavily built person who worked in mine as a
driller. When Joe saw Andrew, he felt lot of relief.
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 BIRTH

“Eh, Doctor, I’m glad to see you. I been back and forward here this last hour. The missus
(wife) wants ye (you)—before time, too.” Andrew, abruptly (suddenly) recalled from
the contemplation (thoughts) of his own affairs, told Morgan to wait. He went into the
house for his bag, then together they set out (start) for Number 12 Blaina Terrace.

It was visible on his face. Joe told Andrew that he was happy to see him. Joe had
been walking between operation theater and Andrew’s room since last one hour.
Joe told that his wife was about to give birth to a child. It is before the normal time.
Andrew was busy thinking about his own matters. He immediately stopped thinking
and asked Morgan to wait for a short time. He went into his house. He took his bag
with him. Then both of them walked towards 12 Blaina Terrace. Morgan lived there.

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 BIRTH
The night air was cool and deep (air was cool and silent) with quiet mystery
(secret). Usually so perceptive (sensitive), Andrew now felt dull and listless
(unmotivated). He had no premonition (advance signals) that this night call
would prove unusual, still less that it would influence (affect) his whole
future in Blaenelly.

The night was cool and silent. So it appeared full of secrets. Normally Andrew was a
sensitive person. But today he was dull and did not have any enthusiasm. He had a fight
with his girl friend during the evening.
Andrew did not have feeling or indication in advance that it would not be a routine night
for him. He could not guess that this night would have a huge impact on his reputation in
the town of Blaenelly.
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BIRTH

The two men walked in silence until they reached the door of
Number 12, then Joe drew up short (stopped).
“I’ll not come in,” he said, and his voice showed signs of strain.
“But, man, I know ye’ll do well for us.”

Both people walked upto the house of Joe without talking. When
they reached there, Joe stopped. He said that he would not
come in the house. By the tone of his voice, he looked worried.
Joe said that he was confident that Andrew would do his best
for them.

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BIRTH

Inside, a narrow stair led up to a small bedroom, clean but poorly

furnished, and lit only by an oil lamp. Here Mrs Morgan’s mother, a
tall, grey-haired (person with white hair) woman of nearly seventy,
and the stout (heavily built), elderly midwife waited beside (near)
the patient, watching Andrew’s expression as he moved about the
room.

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BIRTH

Inside the house, there was a narrow stair case. Through this stair Andrew went
into the bedroom. The bedroom was small but clean. Furniture in the room was
not good. An oil lamp was burning in the room for light. Mrs. Morgan’s mother
was in the room. She was a tall, about 70 years of age and had grey hair. A
heavily built elderly maid was also in the room. Both ladies were standing near
the patient – Morgan’s wife. They both looked at Andrew as he walked into the
room.

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 BIRTH
“Let me make you a cup of tea, Doctor, bach (dear),” said the former quickly, after a few
moments.
Andrew smiled faintly (slightly). He saw that the old woman, wise in experience, realised
there must be a period of waiting that, she was afraid he would leave the case, saying he
would return later.
“Don’t fret (to hurry), mother, I’ll not run away.”

I will some tea for you dear doctor. Mrs Morgans’s mother quickly offered to make tea
for Andrew.
Andrew slightly smiled. He had understood that woman was intelligent and experienced.
She had realized that it will take some more time for the birth of the child. She did not
want the doctor to go out of the house saying to return after sometime. Andrew requested
the mother to not to worry. He assured her that he would not go from the house.
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 BIRTH
Down in the kitchen he drank the tea which she gave him. Overwrought
(very tired) as he was, he knew he could not snatch even an hour’s sleep if
he went home. He knew, too, that the case here would demand all his
attention. A queer (strange) lethargy (laziness) of spirit came upon him. He
decided to remain until everything was over.
The kitchen was at the ground floor. Andrew was sitting in the kitchen and
drinking tea. Andrew was aware that he was very tense. Even if he went home ,
he will not get adequate sleep. Because in about one hour he will have to come
back. He was also aware that he will have to give his full attention to the situation
of patient at this house. A strange feeling of laziness had come to him. He
decided to be at this house till all works were completed.
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 BIRTH

An hour later he went upstairs again, noted the progress made, came down
once more, sat by the kitchen fire. It was still (silent), except for the rustle
(side of two things sliding) of a cinder (coal) in the grate (the frame where
coal is placed for burning) and the slow tick-tock of the wall clock.

After one hour he went to the first floor

room to check condition of patient. He
came down and sat near the fire burning in
kitchen. There was sound of rustle of
burning coal and the ticking of clock. Every
other thing was silent.

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BIRTH
No, there was another sound—the beat (sound) of Morgan’s footsteps as he
paced (walked) in the street outside. The old woman opposite him sat in her
black dress, quite motionless, her eyes strangely alive and wise, probing
(looking as if to ask a question), never leaving his face.

There was yet another sound. It was the sound of

footstep of Morgan. He was walking in the street. The
mother was wearing black dress. She was sitting in
front of Andrew. She did not move from there. Her
eyes were looking at Andrew as if to ask a question.

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 BIRTH

His thoughts were heavy, muddled (mixed,confused). The episode he had witnessed at
Cardiff station (house) still obsessed (deeply affected) him morbidly (unpleasantly). He
thought of Bramwell, foolishly devoted (dedicated) to a woman who deceived him sordidly
(morally wrong), of Edward Page, bound to the shrewish (quarrelsome) Blodwen, of
Denny, living unhappily, apart (away) from his wife.
He had many thoughts in his mind. He was confused. He was deeply affected by
the incident he had experienced at the house of his girlfriend Cardiff. Those were
really unpleasant and made him sad.
Andrew thought about Bramwell who was loyal to his wife. But his wife used to
deceive her husband Brawell. Andrew thought of Edward Page who was living
with his quarrelsome wife Blowdwen. And of Danny, who was living away from
his wife but he was unhappy.
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 BIRTH

His thoughts were heavy, muddled (mixed,confused). The episode he had witnessed at
Cardiff station (house) still obsessed (deeply affected) him morbidly (unpleasantly). He
thought of Bramwell, foolishly devoted (dedicated) to a woman who deceived him sordidly
(morally wrong), of Edward Page, bound to the shrewish (quarrelsome) Blodwen, of
Denny, living unhappily, apart (away) from his wife.
He had many thoughts in his mind. He was confused. He was deeply affected by
the incident he had experienced at the house of his girlfriend Cardiff. Those were
really unpleasant and made him sad.
Andrew thought about Bramwell who was loyal to his wife. But his wife used to
deceive her husband Brawell. Andrew thought of Edward Page who was living
with his quarrelsome wife Blowdwen. And of Danny, who was living away from
his wife but he was unhappy.
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BIRTH
His reason (logic) told him that all these marriages were dismal (total, complete) failures.
It was a conclusion which, in his present state, made him wince (feel pain). He wished to
consider marriage as an idyllic (ideal, perfect) state; yes, he could not otherwise consider
it with the image of Christine before him. Her eyes, shining towards him, admitted
(allowed) no other conclusion.

His logic told him that all these marriages were total failures. In the present
situation, his thoughts made him sad.
He wanted to consider every marriage as an ideal marriage. He could not
think of any other situation. He always thought of Christine. Her bright shining
eyes did not permit to think of any other state of marriage. He always thought
that his marriage with Christine would be a perfect marriage.

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 BIRTH
It was the conflict (disagreement) between his level (reason), doubting mind and his
overflowing heart (heart full of memories) which left him resentful (irritated) and confused.
He let his chin sink upon his chest, stretched out his legs, stared broodingly (think deeply)
into the fire. He remained like this so long, and his thoughts were so filled with Christine, that
he started (got up with a jerk) when the old woman opposite suddenly addressed him. Her
meditation (deep thoughts) had pursued a different course.

His logic, the doubts in his mind and the emotions of his heart were different. Hence he
was irritated and confused.
Now his chin was touching his chest. He stretched his legs to become more comfortable.
He was staring at the fire while deeply thinking about his own life. He remained in that
position for a long time. All through he had been thinking about Christine. When the old
woman called him, he got up with a jerk. She had been thinking of something else.
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BIRTH
“Susan said not to give her the chloroform if it would harm the baby. She’s
awful set upon this child, Doctor, bach.” Her old eyes warmed at a sudden
thought. She added in a low tone: “Ay, we all are, I fancy.” He collected
himself (composed himself) with an effort. “It won’t do any harm, the
anaesthetic,” he said kindly. “They’ll be all right.”
Susan is wife of Mrs Morgan. The mother told him that Susan wanted to avoid
chloroform because it may harm the baby. She is quite attached to the baby. A
shine appeared in the eyes of the old lady. She said that we all are attached to
our kids.
With some effort Andrew understood where he was. He replied that
anaesthesia will not harm the baby. Both mother and baby will be safe.
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BIRTH

Here the nurse’s voice was heard calling from the top landing. Andrew glanced at
the clock, which now showed half-past three. He rose and went up to the
bedroom. He perceived that he might now begin his work. An hour elapsed
(passed). It was a long, harsh(difficult) struggle. Then, as the first streaks (ray) of
dawn strayed past the broken edges of the blind, the child was born, lifeless.

Now Andrew heard the voice of nurse from the top floor of the
building. Andrew looked at the clock. It was 03:30 AM. He got up and
went to the bedroom. He decided that he should now start his work.
An hour passed. It was a long, painful and difficult struggle for Susan. After
sometime he could see first ray of morning through the broken edge of the
curtain. At that instant the child was born. The child was dead.
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BIRTH
As he gazed at the still (without movement) form a shiver of horror (wave
of horror) passed over Andrew. After all that he had promised! His face,
heated with his own exertions (efforts), chilled suddenly. He hesitated, torn
between his desire to attempt to resuscitate (to become alive again) the
child, and his obligation (duty) towards the mother, who was herself in a
desperate(miserable) state.

When he looked at the dead child, he was very afraid and

disappointed. He had promised good health to mother and baby, but
the baby was dead. He had made lot efforts in his work, so his face had
become red. But now his whole body became cold. He hesitated a bit.
He had two duties to perform. Restore life to the baby and to take care
of mother. The mother was also in a very hopeless situation. 21
BIRTH
The dilemma (conflict) was so urgent he did not solve it consciously.
Blindly (without thinking much), instinctively (as per habit), he gave the
child to the nurse and turned his attention to Susan Morgan who now
lay collapsed, almost pulseless, and not yet out of the ether, upon her
side.

The conflict was so urgent that he could not spend time thinking about a
decision. Without thinking anything and as per his habit, he gave the child to
nurse. He gave his all attention to mother. The mother was unconscious. Her
pulse was almost silent. She had not yet come out of effect of anaesthesia.

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BIRTH

His haste (hurry) was desperate (urgent), a frantic (eager) race

against her ebbing ((of an emotion or quality) gradually decrease)
strength. It took him only an instant to smash a glass ampule (a vial
that contains injectable medicine) and inject the medicine.

He was in a hurry because he was worried about health of

Susan and her baby. His own strength was reducing because he
had not slept during the whole night. In an instant he took out an
injection and broke the glass. He injected the medicine to
Susan.

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BIRTH

Then he flung down (threw down) the hypodermic syringe (device used for
injecting medicine) and worked unsparingly (without showing kindness) to
restore the flaccid (almost lifeless) woman. After a few minutes of feverish
(hectic) effort, her heart strengthened; he saw that he might safely leave her.
He swung round, in his shirt sleeves, his hair sticking to his damp (wet) brow.
He threw the syringe to the floor. Without showing any mercy to
himself or to the woman, he stared working to treat the almost
lifeless woman.
After some minutes of desperate efforts her heartbeats increased. She was
now out of danger. So Andrew thought he can give attention to the baby
now. He turned around. He was wearing a shirt with sleeves. His hair were
sticking to his wet eyebrow. He was sweating.
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“Where’s the child?” The midwife made a frightened gesture (signal). She
had placed it beneath (below) the bed. In a flash (in one go) Andrew knelt
down. Fishing (searching) amongst the sodden (totally wet) newspapers
below the bed, he pulled out the child. A boy, perfectly formed. The limp
(loose), warm body was white and soft as tallow (fat of animal).

Andrew asked where was the child. With great fear the maid
signaled toward beneath the bed. She had put the child under
the bed. The child was dead. Quickly Andrew knelt on the floor. He
searched for the child among the wet newspapers placed below the
bed. It was a boy. It was soft, warm, white. It was as soft as the fat of
an animal.
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BIRTH

The chord (attachment from navel), hastily slashed (cut), lay like a
broken stem (stalk). The skin was of a lovely texture, smooth and
tender (soft). The head lolled (hung) on the thin neck. The limbs
(parts of body) seemed boneless.

The cord of the baby was cut in a hurry. It was looking

like a broken stem. The skin was beautiful, smooth and
soft. The head was resting on the thin neck. The limbs
of the body were very flexible as if without any bone.

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BIRTH

Still kneeling, Andrew stared at the child with a haggard (tired) frown (twist one’s
eyebrows). The whiteness meant only one thing: asphyxia (suffocation), pallida
(condition of being unconscious due to suffocation with paleness of skin) , and
his mind, unnaturally tense, raced back to a case he once had seen in the
Samaritan (an establishment for help), to the treatment that had been used.

Andrew was still kneeling on the floor. He was looking at the

child. His eyebrows were bent. He understood from the
whiteness of the child that it was suffering from asphyxia pallid.
He was not able to breath and had become yellow. He
immediately recalled the treatment he had given at one of the
charitable institute.
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BIRTH

Instantly (immediately) he was on his feet. “Get me hot water and cold
water,” he threw out to (shouted) the nurse. “And basins too. Quick!
Quick!” “But, Doctor—” she faltered (hesitate), her eyes on the pallid
(yellow) body of the child. “Quick!” he shouted.

Immediately Andrew got up. He ordered

nurse to fetch hot water, cold water and
two small tubs. The nurse was still looking
at the pale body of the child. She hesitated
a bit. But Andrew shouted at her to be
quick.
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BIRTH

Snatching a blanket, he laid the child upon it and began the special
method of respiration (the method of giving breaths). The basins
arrived, the ewer (a large jug), the big iron kettle. Frantically he
splashed (pour) cold water into one basin; into the other he mixed
water as hot as his hand could bear (tolerate). Then, like some crazy
(enthusiastic) juggler (one who tosses things quickly) , he hurried the
child between the two, now plunging (dip) it into the icy, now into the
steaming bath.
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BIRTH

Andrew pulled a blanket. He laid the child on it. He started the special method of
giving breaths to the child. The tubs, big jug and an iron kettle were brought by the
nurse.

With lot of eagerness, he poured cold water into one tub. In the other tub he poured
hot water. The water was hot to the extent his hand could tolerate it. Then like a
juggler, he placed the child alternately in cold water and hot water.

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BIRTH
Fifteen minutes passed. Sweat was now running into Andrew’s eyes, blinding him.
One of his sleeves hung down, dripping. His breath came pantingly (with short
quick breaths). But no breath came from the lax (motionless) body of the child. A
desperate sense of defeat pressed on him, a raging (angry) hopelessness.

He continued to do this for 15 minutes. Andrew started sweating. He

was now puffing. Sweat had started entering into his eyes. But the
child did not start breathing. He was still motionless. A feeling of
defeat was now coming to Andrew. It was an angry feeling of big loss
of hope.

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BIRTH
Fifteen minutes passed. Sweat was now running into Andrew’s eyes, blinding him.
One of his sleeves hung down, dripping. His breath came pantingly (with short
quick breaths). But no breath came from the lax (motionless) body of the child. A
desperate sense of defeat pressed on him, a raging (angry) hopelessness.

He continued to do this for 15 minutes. Andrew started sweating. He

was now puffing. Sweat had started entering into his eyes. But the
child did not start breathing. He was still motionless. A feeling of
defeat was now coming to Andrew. It was an angry feeling of big loss
of hope.

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BIRTH

He felt the midwife watching him in stark (great) consternation

(anxiety), while there, pressed back against the wall where she had all
the time remained—her hand pressed to her throat, uttering
(speaking) no sound, her eyes burning upon him— was the old
woman.
Andrew could feel that the nurse was looking at him
with great anxiety. While the mother of Susan had
remained close to the wall. Her hand was close to her
throat. Her eyes were constantly looking at Andrew.
She did not speak even a single word.

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BIRTH

He remembered her longing (desire) for a grandchild, as great as

had been her daughter’s longing for this child. All dashed away
(ended) now; futile (ineffective), beyond remedy (treatment)…

Andrew remembered the strong desire of the old woman to

have a grandchild. Susan too had a strong desire to have
child. Now all the hopes appeared to have ended. These
hopes did not exist now. These hopes could not be fulfilled.
There was no hope or treatment.

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BIRTH
The floor was now a draggled (dirty with water) mess. Stumbling (holding
with trembling hands) over a sopping (totally wet) towel, Andrew almost
dropped the child, which was now wet and slippery in his hands, like a strange,
white fish. “For mercy’s sake, Doctor,” whimpered (spoke in a low voice) the
midwife. “It’s stillborn (born dead).”

Lot of water had spread on the floor. The floor looked dirty. His
hands were shaking. He almost dropped the child from the wet
towel. The child had become as slippery as a fish.
The nurse said in a very low voice to Andrew that the child was
born dead.

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BIRTH

Andrew did not heed (listen) her. Beaten, despairing (without any hope),
having laboured (worked hard) in vain (without success) for half an hour, he
still persisted (continue) in one last effort, rubbing the child with a rough
towel, crushing and releasing the little chest with both his hands, trying to get
breath into that limp body.
Andrew did not pay any attention to her. After working hard for about an hour,
Andrew felt as if he were beaten. He did not have any hope now. But he continued
to do one more last effort. He rubbed the child with a towel. He pressed the chest of
the child and then released the pressure. He was trying to give breath (life) to the
motionless body of the child.
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BIRTH

And then, as by a miracle, the pigmy (small) chest, which his

hands enclosed, gave a short, convulsive (violent) heave
(breath), another… and another… Andrew turned giddy (faint).
The sense of life, springing (jumping) beneath his fingers after all
that unavailing (unsuccessful) striving (efforts), was so exquisite
(special) it almost made him faint. He redoubled his efforts
feverishly (energetically). The child was gasping (taking short
breaths) now, deeper and deeper.
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BIRTH

Just at that moment, by a miracle, there was some violent movement in the
little heart of the child. It was sign of the child taking a breath. Andrew
could feel the movement of chest through his hands. Then there were many
more such movements. Andrew almost fainted. The feeling of life under his
fingers after so many unsuccessful attempts was very special to Andrew. He
almost fainted with joy. He increased his efforts with lot of energy. The child
was now panting and puffing.

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BIRTH
A bubble of mucus (some form of liquid) came from one tiny
nostril, a joyful iridescent (shining) bubble. The limbs were
no longer boneless. The head no longer lay back spinelessly.
The blanched (yellowish) skin was slowly turning pink. Then,
exquisitely, came the child’s cry.
A bubble of liquid came out of one tiny nostril of the child. The doctor was very
happy to see the shining bubble. The parts of body did not feel boneless. The
head was was hung from the neck. The yellow skin was slowly becoming pink.
Then came a special cry from the child.

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BIRTH

“Dear Father in heaven,” the nurse sobbed (cried) hysterically (not in

control). “It’s come—it’s come alive.”

The nurse thanked the almighty God.

She started crying without any
control on herself. She said the child
has become alive.

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BIRTH

Andrew handed her the child. He felt weak and dazed (unable to think).
About him the room lay in a shuddering (many pieces) litter (things
thrown here and there): blankets, towels, basins, soiled (dirty)
instruments, the hypodermic syringe impaled (stuck) by its point in the
linoleum (type of cloth), the ewer knocked over, the kettle on its side in a
puddle (small pool) of water.
Andrew gave the child to the nurse. He was feeling week. He
was not able to think anything. Lot of things were scarred
around the room. The blanket, dirty instruments, syringe
pinned to a cloth, ewer etc were lying in the pool of water.
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BIRTH
Upon the huddled (not arranged properly) bed the mother still
dreamed her way quietly through the anaesthetic. The old woman
still stood against the wall. But her hands were together, her lips
moved without sound. She was praying. Mechanically Andrew
wrung out his sleeve, pulled on his jacket.

On a disorderly bed, Susan was still unconscious because of the effect of

anesthesia. Her mother was still standing near the wall. Now her hands were
together. She was praying silently.

Andrew straightened sleeves of his short. He wore his jacket.

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BIRTH

“I’ll fetch my bag later, nurse.” He went downstairs, through the

kitchen into the scullery (wash area for utensils and clothes). His
lips were dry. At the scullery he took a long drink of water. He
reached for his hat and coat.
He told nurse that he will collect his bag after sometime.
Andrew came out of the bedroom and went to ground floor.
Through the kitchen he went to the wash area of the house. He
drank a large quantity of water. He took his hat and coat from
there.

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BIRTH
Outside he found Joe standing on the pavement with a tense,
expectant (eager) face. “All right, Joe,” he said thickly (in a heavy
and deep voice). “Both all right.” It was quite light. Nearly five
o’clock.

Outside the house Joe was standing on the pavement. He was

tense and eager to know. Andrew said in a heavy deep voice
that baby and Susan both are safe. Sun rays had started falling
on the earth. Day was emerging. It was about five in the
morning.

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BIRTH

A few miners were already in the streets: the first of the night
shift moving out. As Andrew walked with them, spent (tired) and
slow, his footfalls echoing with the others under the morning sky,
he kept thinking blindly, oblivious (not aware of) to all other work
he had done in Blaenelly, “I’ve done something; oh, God! I’ve
done something real at last.”

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BIRTH

Some people working in the mine had already come to the street. They were
going to their workplace. The night shift had come to the end. Andrew was
slowly walking with them. He was tired. His footsteps were producing an
echo. He kept thinking about today’s work. He had become unaware of other
works done by him in the town of Blaenelly. He thought that he had done a
good work for the first time.

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▪ Ncert Question Answers

1. “I have done something; oh, God! I’ve done something real at

last.” Why does Andrew say this? What does it mean?

A. Andrew says that he had done something real at last. He said this
because he had handled a tough situation. He had been successful
at saving both – the mother and the child. It was a complicated
delivery and gaining success at it made him feel that he had
something worthwhile. Doing something real at last means Andrew
felt content and jubilant at his own efforts and the achievement.

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▪ Ncert Question Answers

2. There lies a great difference between textbook medicine and the

world of a practising physician. Discuss.

A. Textbook medicine gives knowledge about medicines, diseases,

human anatomy and treatments. However, it does not teach you how
to handle stressful situations. While a practicing physician has to
work in various odd situations. His skills of endurance and medical
expertise are tested in such situations. So, textbook medicine and the
world of a practicing physician are very different from each other.

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▪ Ncert Question Answers

3. Do you know of any incident when someone has been brought back
to life from the brink of death through medical help. Discuss medical
procedures such as organ transplants and organ regeneration that are
used to save human life.

A. Yes, my neighbour was in a critical condition. He had a heart attack and

was rushed to the hospital. Timely medical help saved his life. He
underwent a heart surgery and now he is hale and hearty.
Medical procedures like organ transplant and organ regeneration are very
beneficial for people. Many people donate their organs also so that these
can be of help to others.
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▪ Ncert Question Answers

Organ transplant has a good success rate and many people opt for it. The
procedure gives them a new life and a needy person gets financial help in
return. However, just like other things, the business of organ donation and
transplant has become a money making industry with a lot of exploitation
of people.

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Who was Joe Morgan? Why was he so tense, and waiting anxiously for
Dr Andrew that night?
Answer. Joe Morgan worked as an excavator in Blaenelly, a mining town. He
was a tall, robust, heavy-set man in his forties. Joe and his wife of nearly 20
years, Susan, were expecting their first child. Joe Morgan was in desperate
need of Dr. Andrew’s assistance. Susan, his wife, was in labor. After 20
years of marriage, she was about to give birth to their first child. Joe and
Susan were anxious for the baby to arrive safely. So he waited for the
doctor with bated breath.

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That night proved unusual and it influenced Dr Andrew’s whole future

in Blaenelly. What miraculous thing happened that night?
Answer. Dr Andrew began his medical career in the mining town of
Blaenelly. The successful handling of Mrs Joe’s case was a watershed
moment in his life. It was nothing short of a miracle that he had restored
life in a stillborn child by alternating between dipping it in cold and warm
water. He gained not only satisfaction but also name and fame.

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Dr Andrew faced the biggest dilemma of his life that night. How did he act
and save two lives?
Answer. Dr. Andrew was summoned to oversee Susan Morgan’s first and most
crucial delivery. He was tense and sleep deprived. Nonetheless, he chose to wait.
He promised Joe and his wife that everything would be fine. However, he became
concerned when he discovered that both the mother and her baby were in
danger. Susan was first given an injection to calm her down. He then lifted the
stillborn child and alternately immersed him in hot and cold water and pressed
the child’s chest. Fortunately, he saved both of them.

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Dr Andrew faced the biggest dilemma of his life that night. How did he act
and save two lives?
Answer. Dr. Andrew was summoned to oversee Susan Morgan’s first and most
crucial delivery. He was tense and sleep deprived. Nonetheless, he chose to wait.
He promised Joe and his wife that everything would be fine. However, he became
concerned when he discovered that both the mother and her baby were in
danger. Susan was first given an injection to calm her down. He then lifted the
stillborn child and alternately immersed him in hot and cold water and pressed
the child’s chest. Fortunately, he saved both of them.

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What did Andrew do to restore life in the stillborn child?

Answer. Andrew remembered a similar situation in the past. He treated the
stillborn baby the same way. He requested hot and icy cold water. He
alternated between immersing the baby in cold and warm water. He
rubbed the child’s chest with a rough towel and pressed and released his
hands on the child’s chest. A miracle occurred. It cried as its skin turned
pink.

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What was Andrew’s dilemma after the delivery? How did he solve the
problem so successfully?
Answer. The baby was born at dawn. As he looked at the lifeless baby, Dr Andrew
was filled with horror. He was now dealing with two patients. Susan’s pulse was
rapidly fading. The infant was white, limp, and lifeless. Andrew was at a loss as to
who he should prioritize. He injected Susan and pulled her out of danger based
on instinct. Then he drew out the child, who was warm but not breathing. He used
cold and hot water, as well as the pressure of his hands, to give it an unusual
treatment. There was also a miracle. When the child cried out, he thanked God.

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“Andrew had no premonition that that night would influence his
whole future in Blaenelly.” How did this happen?
Answer. Andrew had no idea how that night would affect his future in
Blaenelly. That night, he saved Mrs Morgan’s and her baby’s lives, earning
him Joe Morgan’s eternal gratitude and firmly establishing him in the good
graces of the villagers. Mrs. Joe Morgan gave birth to a nearly lifeless child
after a difficult labor. Her own situation was dire. Andrew had to work
quickly to save the baby and the mother. He turned to face the mother
after handing the baby over to the nurse.

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He administered injections and pumped her heart. Then he turned to look
at the baby who had been declared dead. He noticed that the child had
suffocated and was unconscious as a result of a lack of oxygen. He tried
some unconventional treatment. He immersed the baby alternately in hot
and cold water. Then he tried to quicken the baby’s heart. Miraculously the
baby responded and started breathing.

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Compare and contrast Andrew’s emotional, mental and physical state
at the beginning of the story and at the end.
Answer. Andrew is physically fatigued and emotionally upset at the start of
the story. He’s just returned from a sour evening with Christine, the girl he
adored. His thoughts are jumbled and thick. The incident he witnessed at
Cardiff station was still fresh in his mind. Though he imagined marriage to
be a blissful condition, he couldn’t help but recall the tragic failures of many
couples.

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Andrew is physically fatigued by the end of the story, but emotionally and
psychologically aware. His thoughts are filled with happiness and self-
satisfaction. He has accomplished an extraordinary feat, no less than a
miracle. He asks God to bear witness that he has finally done something
real. This sense of accomplishment aids him in overcoming physical
exhaustion. His sense of duty towards his patients helps him to attend
them whole-heartedly. He forgets his personal feelings and thinks only of
reviving the patients.

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