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Birth-A.J.Cronin



                Joe Morgan waits for Dr. Andrew

               Dr. Andrew recently graduated from a medical college, returns home and finds Joe Morgan a
               busy driller waiting for him outside his home. Joe informs that his wife is expecting to deliver
               a baby and Dr. Andrew must assist him to his home.

               Dr. Andrew at Joe Morgan 's house


               At Joe Morgan's house Joe's wife Susane and Susane 's mother a tall, grey haired woman of
               seventy and an elderly midwife waited for Andrew 's arrival. After a cup of tea Andrew went
               to check the patient while Joe's footsteps could be heard outside.


                Andrew caught between emotions and responsibility

               While waiting for the right hour of delivery, Andrew's mind was heavy with the thoughts of
               Christine, the girl he loved and puzzled over the futility of marriage. However his voice of
               conscience pressed him for his duty of ensuring two lives - the mother and the baby to be
               delivered.

                Andrew caught in Dilemma


               Sussane Morgan refused to be administered with chloroform as she thought it would harm
               the baby. When the midwife called Andrew started working on the delivery. After an hour's
               struggle, a perfectly formed baby boy was born but was lifeless. Now, Andrew was in a
               dilemma as he wanted to resuscitate the child as well as the desperate mother who lay
               unconscious. Andrew stabilised the mother as he injected a glass ampule without delay. As
               he moved to the baby he realised that he suffered from asphyxia pallida, a still born state.


                Andrew's efforts and the miracle

               Andrew recalled a case he had seen in the samaritian, a medical journal. He quickly asked for
               hot and cold water in two bowls. He plunged the baby alternatively in both

               Then he rubbed the child 's chest with a towel and thumped it, trying to get breath into the

               little body. As if by a miracle, the baby's chest sprang under his hands. He redoubled his
               efforts and the baby started breathing. Life came back to his limbs and the skin started
               turning pink. Finally, the baby cried.

                Andrew is relieved


               After frantic efforts both the mother and the baby survived. Susanne 's mother stood in
               praying posture. Andrew was happy as he had saved both hopes and lives. He exclaimed ' oh
               God I have done something at last '.
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