title: Rustom Jal Vakil and the saga of Rauwolfia serpentina.
abstract: Dr Rustom Jal Vakil was India's pioneer in cardiology. He introduced the discipline of cardiology in his country. His mixture of clinical acumen, research and writing has survived him. Through his work with an ancient Indian folk remedy, Rauwolfia serpentina, he ushered in the modern era of effective pharmacotherapy of hypertension. His work was particularly significant since it galvanized other workers into finding more effective agents for the treatment of hypertension. He is remembered fondly by his acquaintances as an unassuming man in whom a multitude of choicest qualities blended seamlessly with each other.
authors.affiliation: Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd, Second floor, Jain House, 41, 43, Police Court Lane, Near Old Handloom House, Fort, Mumbai 400 001, India. ajit123goenka@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ajit H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Goenka
mesh_terms: D002309:Cardiology / Q000266:history*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000266:history*; D007194:India; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic / Q000266:history*; D008519:Medicine, Traditional / Q000266:history*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000266:history* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011926:Rauwolfia
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts