The Bishops school Infirmary

Who among you remember the Bishops school Infirmary?

Were you ever taken there? Did you go there on your own if you were ill in school?

Were you ever injured in school?

Well to the beginning. The school infirmary for me is synonymous with two names – Mr Nair and

Mrs. Prema Dmonte.

During my time, it was in the old building that housed Jubilee Dorm and adjoining Class 9A. Actually to be precise, there was the first aid room and then there was the actual larger infirmary. Mr Nair who was the school nurse in the 80’s lived in quarters behind the first aid room

There was nothing fancy about either the first aid room or the infirmary. The first aid room had just one high examination table with a rexine top on which the patients were examined, one tin chair and a smaller rickety table   . There was also a small stand, which had a basin with water. An old wooden cupboard contained the medicines – basic again. Mercurochrome, cough mixture , Dettol , cough lozenges , crocin , some pain killers , Anacin and the like ?The were also syringes , needles and a few medical instruments. There was also a torch, which had to be banged at the back to get it to shine brightly.

The larger infirmary, where boys were admitted had about six beds and a table or two. There was also a small inner room, where boys with infectious diseases were admitted. This was a bit of a farce as these so-called boys, with infectious diseases, walked all over the school. Rumour has it that some boarders  , in order to get sick and miss exams,  went on purpose and sat with these boys in order to get sick themselves .  Maybe someone will clarify this doubt of mine.

Mrs Dmonte lived beside this larger infirmary.  Mr Nair and Mrs. Dmonte took turns during the day to look after the sick pupils. Both of them were strict yet kind and between you and me, if they knew you a little better (read boarders) you could visit their house to watch TV when you were admitted to the infirmary. This was only after rounds were over by Mr Beaman !

The boarders were the most frequent patients – fever , cough and cold , fractures , Measles, Chicken pox , Pneumonia , stomach aches , head-aches , influenza , whooping cough , typhoid , tooth ache – you name it and Bishops boarders had it .

We had around 250 boarders so for the nurses it was a full time job. After breakfast , during the morning break at 11 , the lunch break , during the games period , after evening baths , after dinner – these were busy times indeed .

Medicines were dispensed , injections given , dressing done , boils lanced , fractures examined , pupils taken to the doctor , the doctor sent for – you name it and it happened in those small rooms .

Funnily , at times , Mr Nair’s elder daughter / son also administered basic medication – Probably Mr Dmonte as well ! It was all done in good faith and we never had a problem !

Boarders were tough chaps. They took injuries in their stride- resolutely and often with a smile. I have seen boys bleeding profusely and carry on playing for class, house or school – such was their grit, determination and loyalty. At times if it became too much they would run off the football or hockey field, get the wound dressed hurriedly and get back on the field without a fuss. The small silver coloured tin box was carried by the school nurse everywhere – the Simba field, St Margaret’s field, the race course and the army grounds where the sports meets were held. Day scholars – some of whome were outstanding sportsmen were injured too and they got no special treatment. The same medicines and the same first aid. Back then, unlike today, no letters or permissions had to be taken from parents or local guardians  

Both boarders and day scholars loved the infirmary for another reason. It was the GO TO place to avoid tests and exams. Therefore, boys went with stomachaches and various other ailments. By the time they were attended to and diagnosed, the test or exam was over. They would then return to class, at times sheepishly and at other times brazenly and handed over the sick slip to the teacher. Impression marks was the term used as the pupil was given an average mark for the test or examination. For an average pupil or a pupil weak in studies this was a bonanza!

For boarders who were admitted it was fun. Whether they were sick or not, they would walk out of the infirmary in night suits, peep into classes in Lunn Block, read comics, go to their dormitories, play caroms, watch TV, they were provided with a special diet etc . Some also visited the tuck shop, got day scholars to share their lunch and in general made merry. What they did not do there was study. Irrespective of how sick they were, they would come to watch the Friday movie on the Uppers or even to Harding hall. Some wrapped themselves in the infirmary blanket while others did not bother .

I must add that some were instructed to do their test/ exam in the infirmary – and they enjoyed this as they used their books and cheated. The elder boys also helped the younger ones.

Mr Beamon made it a point to visit the infirmary twice a day to check on the boys and when I took over I did that too – however I was often convinced that many boys  did not need to be there and were dodging !  There was no way to prove this though .

During the years, I was in Bishops – 1981- 2001, if I remember rightly, the Infirmary bearer was Girdhari – one of the few who grew his hair. He did umpteen trip to and from the infirmary and kitchen with the large tiffin of food.

There are a few details I must add if I was to do justice to the write up. Both Mr Nair and Mrs Dmonte were highly skilled and their diagnosis was rarely different from that of Dr Khatri the school doctor. They also gave quick painless injections. You may not believe this but I have seen them STITCHING up wounds in the school infirmary and I am sure they used no painkillers most of the time. The boy was held down by someone else and the job done with very little commotion or fuss!

They were also requested to visit staff quarters when a member of staff or a family member was ill and they did so willingly. Everyone trusted them to diagnose, prescribe medication and even give him or her injections.  

Anti- tetanus injections and another for throat infection with fever are two which I had frequently and so did many pupils and staff.

I once had a large boil on my thigh. So I trooped off to Mr Nair . He examined it, pressed it all over and told me he would settle the matter in a few minutes. He promised it would be a quick painless procedure. Also told me that pupils were outside so I should not make a fuss. Why I agreed still beats me .

Before I knew what was happening, he lanced the boil and squeezed so hard that I almost passed out.  He then dressed the wound, bandaged it and sent me on my way home. All this in a matter of 5 minutes.  I called him a sadist and used a few other choice words as I limped home, as the procedure was so painful. Two or three days of dressing and all was well!

Mr Nair and more so Mrs Dmonte were often summoned to the Bungalow to attend to Mr and Mrs Roberts and their aged parents who visited during the summer months. Needless to add they both were a big help on campus.

There was one very sad critical incident during the time of Mr Nair, which I will not put down here but I must say that Bishops was in very good hands.

I am sure some boys would like to share their stories too – go ahead gentlemen.

God bless Mrs Dmonte and Mr Nair