Chapter 36: Interested In Remaining Disinterested
1960Page 4,724 of 5,444
As Baba once explained to them: "God takes on human form to shoulder the load of suffering that humanity suffers through ignorance."
They did not argue with him further. To try to make it easier for him to rest, Goher gave Baba a sleeping pill at bedtime that evening.
On 20 October, Don and Padri were consulted again. Baba's condition was about the same. The ulcers in the throat were painful, as was his ear, but the scabs were drying. He was very restless. Several injections were given to him. Baba slept well that night, but he suffered agonizing pain inside his right ear and throat the next day.
The swallowing became so painful because of the blisters on his tongue that Meherjee was asked to bring an E.N.T. (Ear, Nose and Throat) doctor from Poona named Dr. Waman G. Atre, 54, whom he brought to Meherazad on Monday, 24 October 1960. Don was also present when Dr. Atre examined Baba. Atre prescribed a different medicine, and treated Baba's throat with silver nitrate. As the right side of Baba's face was becoming weak, the doctor suggested that Baba do certain facial exercises.
The pain continued the next day, and the facial palsy became marked. Goher and Mehera lightly massaged the area and applied silver nitrate to Baba's tongue and palate.
Over the next few days, the facial paralysis increased and Baba's pain became even more intense. His eye began to water, and there was a lot of sinus congestion. Goher was overcome with worry about his condition. "I just did not know what was happening," she confessed.
Nariman was informed, and at 11:30 A.M. on Sunday, 30 October 1960, he brought a world-renowned neurosurgeon from Bombay, named Dr. Ram Gundo Ginde, 48.1 Ginde had heard of Meher Baba and seen his photograph at the home of his friends, the Nagarwalas, in Bombay. After examining Baba very gently (as if he were treating a child), Ginde said that Baba should be given an injection of alcohol to deaden the spot. For this, X-ray facilities were necessary as the needle had to be inserted two inches into the right temple and touch the exact spot on the nerve to deaden it and relieve the pain.
Ginde explained all this, but Baba indicated, "No, do what you have to do here."
"How is it possible?" Ginde protested. "Without the assistance of an X-ray machine, I would be [doing it] like a blind man!"
Footnotes
- 1.Meherjee accompanied them from Poona and stayed at Meherazad until 4 November 1960.