Modernization was Acne

[Guest guest]

Dear Shirish Bhate,

Ayurveda has its own inherent diagnostic system. It was called ASTA-VIDHA

PARIKSHA. This eight-fold system consists of Nadi, Mutra(urine), Mala(stools),

Jivha(tongue), Shabda(voice), Sparsha(touch), Druk(eyesight-eyes) and

Aakruti(General stature and features). However, the art of Nadi pariksha has

gone into oblivion. No regular student of Ayurveda is taught about Nadi

practically. This eight-fold system if used properly can definitely be helpful

in diagnosis in Ayurvedic way.

 

BUT, as a practicing consultant, I would say that you have to work and practice

within the ambits of laws and norms set by existing government and medical

bodies. You should know the modern diagnostic synonym of Ayurvedic name if your

certificates for sickness and fitness are to be accepted. You need the back-up

of modern diagnostic means like blood tests, x-rays, songraphy etc. to confirm

and validate your diagnosis, without which the medi-claim companies will not

settle the patients' medical expenses. Lastly and most important fact that

cannot be ignored by practicing Ayurvedic doctor that he is covered under the

Consumer Protection Act and will have to face medical negligence charges if he

is not able to convince the patient and governing agencies that his diagnosis

and treatment are based on correct clinical judgement. Modern diagnostic reports

play a very crucial role in this aspect as it is a third party observation and

unbiased one. All courts and law enforcing agencies are bound to accept their

validity.

Hence, for the sake of patient satisfaction as well as to avoid any allegation

of medical negligence, a doctor from any pathy must support, confirm and

validate his diagnosis with the help of modern diagnostic means. I, also in the

capacity as President of BAMS Graduates Association Mumbai Branch (A authentic

association of Ayurvedic doctors) am very much convinced about my stand when I

face the woes of our fellow practitioners.

 

This is not the appropriate forum to voice your concerns about mal-practices in

medical field and inapropriateness of diagnostic methods. Hence I would not

comment about that issue in this mail. I would only quote that cancer detection

has been much easier because of modern diagnostic scrreening techniques and many

a life saved because of proper medication at 0-stage level of cancer. This is

just one practical example.

 

Real test of vaidya as you idealise is actually not the stand taken in any

authentic Ayurvedic scriptures. This is the expectation of patient due to the

hype created by mediaval vaidyas for their own selfish motto. According to

Ayurvedic Texts, One who can save the life of patient, is alert and

compassionate to patients distress/pain/grief and understands the terminal

condition of diseases is considered to be a real vaidya.

 

DARSHAN SRAPSHAN PRASHNAI HI PARIKSHET ATHA ROGINAH

 

which means that vaidya should check the patient by observation, touch/feel and

asking questions. So how the opinion you state can be validated that a real

vaidya can diagnose without patient speaking a word be considered appropriate.

Do you wish to contradict Maharshi Charak from whose Samhita the above quote is

mentioned?

 

I am not aware of the unanswered question posed by Jagannath, as you mention;

but I know of many Ayurvedic practitioners who practice 100% Ayurveda including

me. But as the present circumstances necessisate, we have be in tune with

medical rules enforced from time to time , atleast as far as state registered

authorised Ayurvedic practitioners are concerned.

 

I wish that emotionalism played a negligible role and practicality be more

focussed on.

 

Dr.D.B.Muzumdar.

M.D.Ayu-Med

< dahpc >

-

Shirish Bhate

Devotion, meditation, keen observation and love for profession

of " helping people lead healthy life " , gives a gift to Vaidya.

Catching a disorder even before it shows up as symptoms of a

specific disease. Hands, feet and face are mirrors to health. Just

see how much indication hair and nails give. The nutritional

deficiencies are now being detected by hair analysis! Vaidya has to

be observant and add to his knowledge. If disease is detected well

before it has gathered " strong symptoms " even home remedies are seen

to work, without resorting to extracts, antibiotics etc.

<snip>