-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am puzzled by this post by Gilbert on Garcia de Orta. He claims that this view is different from that of Alfredo de Mello, a well-recognized amateur historian and writer of Goan origin. Previously, Gilbert has claimed that there are inaccurancies in Alfredo's account.
I had hoped that Gilbert would tell us where Alfredo had erred, and back his statements by citing sources that are more authentic than Alfredo. And yet, I don't see any real historical facts in Gilbert's account that are at variance with those of Alfredo, and no substantiation whatsoever in it. For example, Gilbert says "My interpretation of the events leads me to different conclusions on Dr. Garcia de Orta. This man was a Catholic - not a Jew. His ancestors were Jewish." How is this assertion different from what Alfredo says, namely that Garcia de Orta was a New Christian of Jewish origin? The only differences between Alfredo's and Gilbert's accounts that I can see are in the gratuitous opinions expressed by Gilbert. And unlike Alfredo, Gilbert has not cited any sources for his facts or opinions. Why should we take Gilbert's unsubstantiated opinions to be true, in contrast to that of a real historian, Alfredo or anybody else? I would particularly like to know how Gilbert can substantiate the following assertions: 1. "In 1534 he sailed to India - some claim he fled Portugal because of the inquisition against Jews - false again!" (How does Gilbert know that the latter statement is false?). 2. "With his publications and his theoretical explanations / propounding of the effectiveness of these herbal remedies, he ran afoul of "official" medical practice of the period in the world." 3. "More likely in my opinion - Dr. Garcia was perceived to be a spy actually a double-agent whose luck ran out after his death!". 4. "As one Jewish authority remarked - Dr. Orta was living a double life. His wife had venereal disease - an uncontested fact - and there are theories how she got it." (Are his wife's illness and theories about it important to Orta's double life? Does Gilbert regard sexually transmitted disease or adultery on his wife's part, as proof of double-agency on his part? Please note that Gilbert does not say that Orta had a venereal disease, himself. Please also note that what Gilbert claims to be an "uncontested fact" is very much contested by Alfredo, and with real historical evidence. Here is the link to Alfredo's article: http://www.colaco.net/1/AdmOrta.htm) 5. "As a physician, was Dr. Orta's work great? The answer is NO! We know today that India's herbal medicine has no scientific basis and has not stood the test of time." (This gratuitous opinion is misplaced and absurd. Very little, if any, of the medicine, western or Indian, that was practiced in those days had any scientific basis. de Orta was actually the first to provide a detailed description of Cholera, for which he is remembered as the one of the pioneers of tropical medicine. His colloquies on medicinal plants and herbs have much botanical and historical value. > >Those with "inquiring minds" are encouraged to do their own >research & analysis and share them. > My view is research is best left to qualified researchers. People who are not schooled and trained in it should not attempt to masquerade as experts, and dispense their opinions willy-nilly. They end up mucking up the state of understanding in any field i.e. if unsuspecting lay folk take them seriously. In the present case I submit that Gilbert is revising what is known about de Orta, and also what is known about the inquisition. Please note that Gilbert did not tell us that de Orta's sister was burned at the stake, and gave us his own speculative reasons for the disinterment and burning of his bones several years after his death. Cheers, Santosh ----------------------------------------------------------------------- * G * O * A * N * E * T *** C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Spread the Christmas cheer - even when you're not here! Send Christmas Greetings to your loved ones in Goa. 2005 Christmas Package - Flowers, Bubbles and Layers of Love. http://www.goa-world.com/expressions/xmas/ -----------------------------------------------------------------------
