In a telegram dated, 14 September, 1934, Chief Secretary of the United Provinces informed the Secretary to the Government of India about the need of a medical examination of Jawaharlal Nehru who was in Naini Jail in Allahabad.

The telegram stated:

“Doctor Atal has reported that he found Jawahar Lal Nehru on Sunday last looking weak and pale and suspected pleurisy. He has asked permission to examine Jawahar Lal next Sunday 16th instant in company with a Government doctor. This Government has accordingly given permission for this examination and directed Colonel Townsend, Civil Surgeon, Lucknow, to be present at the examination.”

The Medical Report:

The report was sent to M. G. Hallett, Secretary to the GoI on 22 September, 1934. The report read

“Report on the condition of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's health signed by Colonel Townsend, Civil Surgeon, Lucknow, and by Drs. Mehta and Atal.

We examined Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in the Naini Central Jail this morning. He complained of slight tenderness over the lower ribs on the right side below the nipple area where slight friction sound is heard. There is a slight deficiency of air entry over the area to the right side of the right nipple. Otherwise the lungs are in a good condition. An X-ray examination would be advisable in future in case his health is run down for any reason or in case the local tenderness referred to above gets worse or in case he runs temperature. His general condition seems good. Dr. Atal himself remarked that he found him looking much better than what he saw him eight days ago. At that time, as Pandit Jawaharlal himself said, he was much worried about his wife's health. His weight has varied between 130 and 132 pounds in the last three months. At present it is recorded as 130 which is 10 pounds less than on admission in Alipur Jail Calcutta last February Blood pressure 110 systolic 75 diastolic, as taken on the left arm.

In our opinion the patch on the right side should be examined from time to time.”