Introduction

This chapter is an extract from A.J. Cronin's novel The Citadel (1937). It narrates the story of a young doctor named Andrew Manson who is called to assist in the delivery of a child expected to be born prematurely. Joe Morgan and his wife, a middle-aged couple married for twenty years without children, are anxiously awaiting the birth of their first child. The delivery is difficult, and the baby appears stillborn. The doctor, after ensuring the mother's safety, finds the baby neglected under the bed among dirty newspapers. He immediately begins efforts to revive the child, which after a tense half-hour, succeeds. This event marks a significant moment for Andrew, who feels he has accomplished something truly meaningful.

Key Elements

• Characters: Andrew Manson (young doctor), Joe Morgan and his wife (expectant parents), nurse, mid-wife, Joe's mother-in-law.
• Setting: The Morgans' home in Bryngower, during a late-night premature childbirth.
• Plot: The struggle of a young doctor to save a seemingly stillborn baby and the emotional tension surrounding the event.

Important Quotes

• "I have done something; ohh, God! I have done something real at last." – Andrew's reflection after reviving the child.

Practice Set

Level 1 – Easy

• Who are Joe Morgan and his wife?
• What was Andrew Manson's profession?

Level 2 – Moderate

• Describe the situation when Andrew Manson arrives at the Morgans' house.
• Why was the delivery of the child considered difficult?

Level 3 – Challenging

• Explain Andrew's dilemma when the baby was born lifeless.
• Discuss the significance of Andrew's success in reviving the child.

Answer Key

• Joe Morgan and his wife are a middle-aged couple married for twenty years, expecting their first child.
• Andrew Manson is a young doctor who has just completed his medical studies.
• Andrew arrives late at night to assist in the premature delivery of the Morgans' first child, finding the family anxious and waiting.
• The delivery was difficult because the child was born prematurely and appeared stillborn, requiring urgent medical attention.
• Andrew had to choose between attending to the mother, who was in critical condition, and the lifeless baby. He first ensured the mother's safety before focusing on reviving the child.
• Reviving the child was a turning point for Andrew, giving him a sense of accomplishment and purpose in his medical career.

Quick Reference

• Andrew Manson: Young doctor, protagonist.
• Joe Morgan: Expectant father.
• Stillborn: Baby born without signs of life.
• Asphyxia: Condition caused by lack of oxygen.

Glossary

• Premature: Occurring before the expected time.
• Mid-wife: A person trained to assist women in childbirth.
• Ether: An anesthetic used during medical procedures.
• Asphyxia: Unconsciousness caused by insufficient oxygen.

Summary

About Andrew Manson

Andrew Manson is a young doctor who has recently completed his medical studies. He begins his career as an assistant to Dr. Edward Page in the small town of Blainelly. He is in love with a girl named Christine, but his personal experiences have been disappointing.

Joe Morgan Expecting His First Baby — Waiting for Andrew

It is nearly midnight when Andrew reaches Bryngower and finds Joe Morgan waiting anxiously. Joe has been married for nearly twenty years, and his wife is expecting their first child prematurely. Joe expresses relief at Andrew's arrival, having waited for an hour due to the urgency of the situation.

Andrew Waits for the Delivery

Inside the house, Andrew sees Joe's mother-in-law and the mid-wife attending to the mother, who is worried about the prolonged delivery. Andrew decides to stay and wait, understanding the seriousness of the case. He drinks tea in the kitchen, feeling tense and prepared to devote his full attention to the delivery. After monitoring the progress upstairs and resting briefly by the fire, he prepares for the birth.

The Child Born Lifeless

At half past three, after a long and difficult labor, the child is born lifeless. Andrew is shocked and faces a critical decision on whether to focus on the mother or the baby, both in critical condition.

Andrew’s Dilemma

Andrew first attends to Susan Morgan, the mother, who is collapsed and almost pulseless under the effects of ether. After administering an injection and working feverishly, he stabilizes her condition. He then asks for the baby, only to find that the mid-wife had placed the child under the bed. Andrew quickly retrieves the baby from among dirty newspapers.

Andrew’s Efforts to Revive the Child

Recognizing the baby is suffering from asphyxia, Andrew immediately begins revival efforts. He uses alternating cold and hot water baths to stimulate the child. Despite fifteen minutes of struggle and feelings of hopelessness, Andrew perseveres, motivated by the family's desire for a child.

The Child Revived — Andrew Feels He Has Done Something Meaningful

Suddenly, the baby's chest heaves, and it begins to gasp and cry. Andrew hands the child to the nurse, feeling dazed and fulfilled. As he leaves, he reflects on having done something truly meaningful for the first time in his career.

Practice Set

Level 1 – Easy

• Who is Andrew Manson?
• Why was Joe Morgan anxious?

Level 2 – Moderate

• Describe the condition of the mother during delivery.
• What actions did Andrew take to revive the baby?

Level 3 – Challenging

• Analyze Andrew's emotional state before and after reviving the child.
• Discuss the significance of the baby's revival in the context of Andrew's medical career.

Answer Key

• Andrew Manson is a young doctor who has just completed his medical studies and is beginning his practice.
• Joe Morgan was anxious because his wife was about to deliver their first child prematurely.
• The mother was in a critical state, collapsed and almost pulseless under the effect of ether during delivery.
• Andrew used cold and hot water baths and continuous efforts to stimulate the baby suffering from asphyxia.
• Before reviving the child, Andrew felt tense and uncertain; after success, he felt a deep sense of accomplishment and purpose.
• The revival marked a turning point in Andrew's career, giving him confidence and a feeling of having achieved something real.

Quick Reference

• Andrew Manson: Young doctor, protagonist.
• Joe Morgan: Expectant father.
• Asphyxia: Condition caused by lack of oxygen.
• Ether: Anesthetic used during delivery.

Glossary

• Mid-wife: A person trained to assist in childbirth.
• Asphyxia: Unconsciousness due to lack of oxygen.
• Ether: An anesthetic agent.
• Pulseless: Without a detectable pulse.