Gandhi's Health Condition

The response to recruitment was not any way encouraging, but Gandhi was determined to carry out his mission. He held meetings. He issued leaflets asking people to enlist in the forces. His steady work began to bear fruit. Many men were recruited and he hoped to get a bigger response as soon as the first batch had been sent.

Gandhi nearly ruined his health during the recruitment campaign. He worked very hard. He could not take his food at regular times, nor could he take enough nourishment to keep up his energy.

He had an attack of dysentery. He refused to take medicines and his condition became worse. Friends tried their best to advise him but he was beyond all advice. He passed restless days and nights and he himself felt at times that he was near death’s door.

It took him a long time to regain his health, but before that the news came that the war was over. Germany had been completely defeated.

There was now no need for any further recruitment.

Friends and doctors advised him to go away for a change and recover his health. He went to Matheran in Maharashtra, but the place did not suit him.

He went to Poona, where a doctor was consulted. He advised Gandhi to take milk to rebuild his body, and also prescribed a few injections. Gandhi agreed to take the injections but he did not agree to drink milk, for he had given up milk years ago.

But Kasturbai said,” Your objection is to cow and buffalo milk. You cannot object to taking goat’s milk”.

“If you consume goat’s milk, it will be good enough, said the doctor.

Gandhi agreed to drink goat’s milk.