Page 128 - GFA – A Different Drumbeat
P. 128
GFA – A Different Drumbeat 128
for Fanny was "impressed by his unusual patience and courtesy in what must have been a
fierce domestic crisis." But Fanny got worse, so in August 1942 GFA had to take her to
India.
At Ranchi (see map) a panel of doctors assembled by the Viceroy, gave her six months to
live. The hospitals in Ranchi were excellent. They were set up by the British, as India was
still a colony at that stage. One of them became a major training hospital for British medical
students. The one that Fanny was most likely sent to was The Central Institute of
Psychiatry, Ranchi which, as their website, http://www.cipranchi.nic.in states,
is a Government of India institution and the only one of its nature in eastern India.
The British established this hospital on 17th May 1918. . . The year 1922 is also
notable for the fact that the Institute was affiliated to the University of London for the
Diploma in Psychological Medicine examination. It was a unique phenomenon since
the postgraduate training in Psychiatry was nonexistent in India in those days. It may
be worth noting that this Institute has been the most premier centre for mental health
in the country
Devotedly nursed, and cared for, Fanny outlasted the 6 month forecast, but there was no
quality to her life as she was “in a state of utter confusion”. She didn’t die until 15 years later.
Bentley-Taylor writes: “During these years GFA paid six ‘duty visits’ to India and had a
month's sick leave in Kashmir”. It is unclear whether he visited Fanny on these occasions.
Elsewhere Bentley-Taylor says that GFA only visited Fanny once in the 15 years.
GFA’s niece, Jessie Bentley-Taylor was able to visit Fanny once in 1944, and she felt she
was getting every care. A letter from GFA to his sister Esther in January 1945 speaks of
Fanny’s ‘screaming fits being much more frequent’ according to the report of the doctor
(Taylor). Esther commented ‘what a blessed relief when the dear Lord takes her home to
Himself.’
for Fanny was "impressed by his unusual patience and courtesy in what must have been a
fierce domestic crisis." But Fanny got worse, so in August 1942 GFA had to take her to
India.
At Ranchi (see map) a panel of doctors assembled by the Viceroy, gave her six months to
live. The hospitals in Ranchi were excellent. They were set up by the British, as India was
still a colony at that stage. One of them became a major training hospital for British medical
students. The one that Fanny was most likely sent to was The Central Institute of
Psychiatry, Ranchi which, as their website, http://www.cipranchi.nic.in states,
is a Government of India institution and the only one of its nature in eastern India.
The British established this hospital on 17th May 1918. . . The year 1922 is also
notable for the fact that the Institute was affiliated to the University of London for the
Diploma in Psychological Medicine examination. It was a unique phenomenon since
the postgraduate training in Psychiatry was nonexistent in India in those days. It may
be worth noting that this Institute has been the most premier centre for mental health
in the country
Devotedly nursed, and cared for, Fanny outlasted the 6 month forecast, but there was no
quality to her life as she was “in a state of utter confusion”. She didn’t die until 15 years later.
Bentley-Taylor writes: “During these years GFA paid six ‘duty visits’ to India and had a
month's sick leave in Kashmir”. It is unclear whether he visited Fanny on these occasions.
Elsewhere Bentley-Taylor says that GFA only visited Fanny once in the 15 years.
GFA’s niece, Jessie Bentley-Taylor was able to visit Fanny once in 1944, and she felt she
was getting every care. A letter from GFA to his sister Esther in January 1945 speaks of
Fanny’s ‘screaming fits being much more frequent’ according to the report of the doctor
(Taylor). Esther commented ‘what a blessed relief when the dear Lord takes her home to
Himself.’
