Class 11 English Snapshot Chapter 4 – Birth (A. J. Cronin) Long Question Answers

 

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 English

Snapshot

Chapter 4 – Birth (A. J. Cronin)

Long Question Answers

Question 1:

“I have done something; oh, God! I’ve done something real at last.” Why does Andrew say this? What does it mean?

Answer:

The young doctor, Andrew Manson, had accomplished commendable work, and his exclamation was well-justified. Not only did he assist the middle-aged lady in the safe delivery of a baby boy, but he also restored both mother and child to perfect health. Susan Morgan's strength was waning after delivery, almost pulseless, prompting Andrew to administer an injection and diligently work to strengthen her heart.

 

Andrew's significant achievement lay in resuscitating the initially stillborn child. Initially laying the child on a blanket, he initiated a specialized respiration method. Trying the hot and cold water treatment by alternately dipping the baby, he labored in vain for half an hour. Undeterred, he made a final effort, vigorously rubbing the child with a rough towel and pressing and releasing the baby's tiny chest with both hands. Finally, the baby responded—its chest heaved, and Andrew redoubled his efforts. The child began gasping, a bubble of mucus emerged from its tiny nostril, its pale skin turned pink, and its limbs became rigid. Finally, the child let out a cry.

 

Andrew, in awe of the miracle he had performed, called upon God as a witness. It was not mere theoretical talk but a practical, real, and substantial accomplishment.

 

Question 2:

‘There lies a great difference between textbook medicine and the world of a practising physician.’ Discuss.

Answer:

Typically, physicians rely on the medicines prescribed in textbooks in their practice. However, in extreme emergency cases, the physician's practical experience, resourcefulness, and hands-on approach become more crucial than theoretical knowledge. For instance, individuals suffering from burn injuries, snakebites, or suffocation due to drowning require immediate assistance. The nearest available doctor might not have all the necessary facilities for such cases. In these circumstances, providing first aid is essential to save the patient's life before transporting them to the hospital for proper care. Faced with limited resources, the practicing physician utilizes their practical experience to minimize damage and prevent the victim's condition from worsening. In such cases, timely practical assistance proves invaluable, emphasizing the significance of proactive intervention.

 

Question 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 transplant and organ regeneration that are used to save human life.

Answer:

Certainly, I am aware of and have knowledge of instances where individuals have been revived from the brink of death with the assistance of medical interventions. Modern medical science relies heavily on surgical procedures, life-saving drugs, and organ transplants. Leading hospitals in advanced nations are equipped with facilities for advanced medical procedures, including organ transplantation and regeneration. Blood banks and eye banks are commonplace, and today, many people willingly donate various organs for posthumous use in hospitals. Techniques for organ regeneration contribute to their preservation for a specified period, facilitating transplantation into patients with defective organs. Presently, organs such as eyes, hearts, kidneys, and livers are successfully transplanted. The prospect of creating artificial human organs in laboratories using non-human sources is on the horizon.

 

 

 

 

Question 4:

 

Why was Andrew Manson called in? How did he react to the call of duty?

 

Answer:

 

Andrew Manson commenced his medical practice in the small Welsh mining town of Blaenelly, and he was summoned to attend to Susan Morgan, who, after nearly two decades of marriage, was expecting her first child. Joe Morgan, her husband, had been waiting outside the closed surgery for an hour. Despite the late hour, around midnight, Andrew responded promptly to the call of duty. As Joe briefed him on his wife's condition, Andrew, disregarding his own affairs, fetched his medical bag from home and hastened to the Morgans' residence.

Since immediate assistance was not required for the expectant mother, Andrew decided to wait downstairs. He re-evaluated her condition after an hour and was finally summoned by the nurse at 3:30 am. Andrew struggled for an hour during the childbirth and then tirelessly worked to revive both the weak mother and the initially stillborn child. In fulfilling his duty, he remained focused, ignoring his physical exhaustion and mental strain, displaying unwavering dedication.

 

Question 5:

 

Give a brief account of the efforts made by Andrew to revive the stillborn baby.

 

Answer:

 

Upon witnessing the lifeless form of the newborn baby, Andrew was overcome with horror. Although the baby was perfectly formed, its limp and warm body displayed a troubling whiteness, indicating suffocation due to oxygen deprivation. Drawing on his experience, Andrew initiated resuscitation efforts, first laying the child on a blanket and administering artificial respiration. He then alternately dipped the baby in hot and cold water, followed by vigorous rubbing with a rough towel. Andrew continued pressing and releasing the baby's chest until signs of life emerged – gasping, the release of mucus, a change in skin color, firm limbs, and, finally, the baby's cry. Through these determined efforts, Andrew successfully revived the stillborn child.

 

Question 6:

 

Compare and contrast Andrew’s emotional, mental, and physical state at the beginning of the story and at the end.

 

Answer:

 

At the story's outset, Andrew is physically fatigued and emotionally distressed. Having just returned from a disappointing evening with his love interest, Christine, his thoughts are clouded with a sense of disappointment. The memory of a sorrowful incident at Cardiff station lingers in his mind, and although he idealizes marriage, he cannot ignore the numerous failed marriages he has encountered.

 

By the story's conclusion, Andrew remains physically drained but emotionally uplifted and mentally sharp. Despite physical exhaustion, he experiences joy and self-satisfaction, having accomplished what he considers a miraculous feat. Andrew's sense of duty towards his patients overshadows personal fatigue, showcasing his commitment to medical responsibilities.

 

Question 7:

 

What impression do you form of Andrew Manson on the basis of the story ‘Birth’?

 

Answer:

 

Andrew Manson emerges as a recently qualified doctor who begins his medical practice in the Welsh mining town of Blaenelly. While harboring romantic feelings for Christine, he views marriage through an idealistic lens but is mindful of the potential pitfalls observed in many marriages.

 

Dedicated to his profession, Andrew maintains a clear distinction between his personal and professional lives. When faced with responsibility, he fulfills his duties with utmost dedication, demonstrating a pragmatic and practical approach. With a tender heart, polite manners, and a reassuring tone, Andrew empathizes with others, understanding Susan's deep love for her unborn child. Overall, Andrew impresses as a devoted and capable doctor.