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Priority setting & Social relevance of Bio-ethics in Traditional Siddha Medicine – Lessons from the Field. C. Suvetha , Thomas M. Walter, M. Sri Sakthi Logisha , R. Sweety Nirmala . Govt. Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai , Tamilnadu. T raditional Siddha Medicine.
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Priority setting & Social relevance of Bio-ethics in Traditional Siddha Medicine – Lessons from the Field. C. Suvetha, Thomas M. Walter, M. Sri SakthiLogisha, R. SweetyNirmala. Govt. Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai, Tamilnadu.
Siddha Medical Education Institutes imparting Siddha Education at Tamilnadu. • One National Institute(NIS) – at Chennai • Two Govt. Medical Colleges – at Chennai & Tirunelveli. • Five Private Siddha Medical Colleges. • One Private Siddha Medical College (Santhagiri) at Trivandrum, Kerala.
U.G & P.G. courses of Siddha • Colleges are affiliated to The Tamilnadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai. • B.S.M.S (Bachelor of Siddha Medicine & Surgery) consists of 41/2 years of study and one year of Internship. • The three years P.G course (M.D) has six branches, i.e., General Medicine, Pharmacology, Special Medicine, Paediatrics, Pathology and Forensic Medicine & Toxicology.
About U.G. Syllabus • Basic Medical Sciences: Bio- Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Medicinal Botany. • Microbiology, Modern Pathology, Forensic Medicine & Toxicology. • Siddha subjects including Pharmacology, Pathology, Medicine, Special medicine, O.G.
Background and purpose • The concept of ethics is in no way new to the Traditional Siddha Medicine. Descriptive ethical guidelines are found in the classic Siddha literature, YamagaVenba by the great Siddhar, ‘Theraiyar’ which is said to be written centuries back. He gives guidelines for almost all aspects involving ethics.
Description of survey method Based upon the above mentioned Siddha text a questionnaire with 26 questions was framed. The questions are relevant to the theme of priority setting and social relevance. The questions include bio-ethical concepts such as: • Eligibility criteria for a physician; • The role of environmental factors, • The appropriate months and days for beginning the treatment; • The relevance of Guru-Sishya parampara (resident teaching of Medical Science) in the present day; • Traditional pulse reading; • The commercialisation of clinical/research practice, etc. • Description of Messenger / Patient’s attender. Two Siddha medical colleges were selected for the survey, one being a government college, the other a private college run by a Traditional Healers’ Trust.
About Siddhar Theriyar • Theriyar is one among the 18 Siddhars – also known as ‘Mandooga Maharishi’ in Ayurvedic texts. • Theriyar had expertise in more than 6 Indian languages and apart from Medical knowledge, well versed in Astrology, Vedanta, Siddhantha, Logistics, Yoga, Alchemy etc.
Boys Vs Girls ratio in the survey Out of the 169 U.G. students selected for this survey, • 40 were Boys and • 129 were Girls
Priorities covered in the survey • Eligibility criteria for a Physician • Role of Environmental factor • Appropriate days for beginning treatment • Relevance of Guru - ShisyaParampara • Traditional Pulse reading. • Ethics in Clinical Practice / Research and • Description of Messenger.
General Questions Categories Percentage • Is Ethics in U.G. syllabus essential ? • Acceptability of Hippocrates Oath in the present situation. • Is it possible to implement the Code of Ethics 100 %
Eligibility criteria for Physician Criteria include: Percentage • A person with Self-confidence & Self-control. • Having Worldly interest • Knowledge of Medicinal plants in addition to Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology.
Role of Environmental factors Theriyar’s thoughts. Percentage • Crossing of Dog, Cat & Snake indicates that the Patient should not be treated. • Smell of Grave yard causes Disease.
Appropriate Days to start Treatment Literary evidence Percentage • Good Days – Sunday, Monday. Moderate Days – Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Not advised: Wednesday, Saturday. • Will you follow it in your Clinic ?
Percentage Relevance of Guru – Shishya Parampara. • Is it possible now-a-days ? • Is Hands on training essential to achieve Mastery over the subject ?
Traditional Pulse reading While making a Diagnosis: Percentage • Is it possible through Pulse reading, i.e. Vatha, Pitha and Kabha • Is Panchendriyam test (testing of 5 Sensory function) necessary ?
Religious based • Which god is considered as the Protector of human in Siddha Medicine? Answer: Thirumal/Vishnu Correct: 21.89 Wrong answer: 77.51 No answer: 0.59
Ethics in Research / Clinical Practice. Categories Percentage • Following Dietary restrictions & Vehicle. • Accepting the interruption of Patient’s relatives. • Treating Un-cooperative patient.
Ethics in Research / Clinical Practice. Categories Percentage 4. Can a Physician treat his own Parents and Friends. 5. Should not have Nuptial relationship with Elder women.
Description of Messenger/Accompanying person Categories Percentage • Bald headed & Blind man should not come as messenger. • Liar & much Grieved should not come • An already diseased person should not come.
Questions to Medicos • Can a best chef prepare Medicines as per the correct procedure ? • Will you accept a Pharmacist treating patients? • Can you accept a money minded Doctor as an Ideal Physician ?
Conclusion The survey results show that though the text ‘TheriyarYamagaVenba’ was written by one of the 18 siddharsTheriyar some centuries ago, the principles are applicable in day to day clinical practice and research even today.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT My grateful thanks to my lecturer, Dr.ThomasM.Walter and Mrs. SweetyNirmala My heartful thanks to my uncle, Dr.MangalaS.Ravindran (consultant surgeon) My fruitful thanks to my parents, Mr.S.G.Chanthrasekaran and Mrs.C.S.Indhumathy Last but not least , I would like to thank my friends (VEERA VIZHUTHUGAL)
My grateful thanks to my lecturer, Dr.ThomasM.Walter and Mrs. SweetyNirmala My heartful thanks to my uncle, Dr.MangalaS.Ravindran (consultant surgeon) My fruitful thanks to my parents, Mr.S.G.Chanthrasekaran and Mrs.C.S.Indhumathy Last but not least , I would like to thank my friends (VEERA VIZHUTHUGAL)