Bizarre, barbaric, unscientific surgical methods in Siddha system - Let us recognize the medical danger
Highlights
We are shouting louder and louder about the emerging drug resistant microbes and the threat these microbes can pose to the medical world. One of the strongest reasons discovered for the above is self medication and indiscriminate use of antibiotics.
We are shouting louder and louder about the emerging drug resistant microbes and the threat these microbes can pose to the medical world. One of the strongest reasons discovered for the above is self medication and indiscriminate use of antibiotics.
But have we recognized the likely contribution of cross pathy in making many pathogens to become drug resistant? Due to the eminence and excellence the ‘cross pathians’ (institutionally qualified ISM healers) in allopathic medical science as claimed by some, the health mess created by them, can country like India afford to ignore?
The science of AYUSH, even most of the ISM graduates have not understood or comprehend well, said one Siddha post graduate. Even the fundamentals of Siddha system, the pulse reading, none of the duly qualified Siddha graduates practice or were taught or knows. The big question before us is that when the fundamentals of Siddha itself were not taught to them, how and from where they have acquired such ‘unearthly’ knowledge in allopathic system of medicine?
Besides inadvertently contributing to make many microbial pathogens to become drug resistant through cross pathy, had AYUSH played any other role in making the opportunistic and least pathogenic microbes to become potent pathogens? Has the AYUSH increased the virulence of microbial pathogens? We do not have epidemiologic date to suggest either way.
Hypothetically yes. AYUSH in general and Siddha system in particular may be increasing the virulence many microbes.
Such possibility is quite high and looks certain. Such possibility come from the special treatment approaches followed in Siddha system. Really we do not know whether the modern day institutionally qualified Siddha healers are employing such practices or not. If the answer is yes, certainly the hypothesis becomes fact.
If we read various surgical methods mentioned in Siddha system, we can easily confirm such possibility.
One of the fantastic surgical methods followed by Siddha system is bloodletting or otherwise called leech therapy. They use live leeches to suck the blood and thus they believe bad blood is removed. Blood is always in circulation and how the toxins are found only in the blood in certain location? This question, only the first Siddhar, Lord Siva can answer.
Imagine the extent of hygiene during and post leech therapy? Won’t such leech therapy open the door for many microbes to enter into our system, colonize easily and develop virulence?
Do we need such reclusive, rudimentary leech therapy as we do not have any other better surgical methods these days?
National Institute of Siddha (NIS) has classified this fantastic approach under ‘Sirappu Maruthuvam’ (Special Treatment). One can find out the details with photographs from the official portal of NIS.
Another method is the use of Muppattai salakai chikitchai (Surgical instrument for eye diseases). The knowledge of microbiology in Siddha system is frivolous and laughable.
If the Siddha vaidyas engage in surgery of eye with their occult procedure, besides risking the vision of the patient, they also will expose many microbes to make use of the situation and develop virulence.
Is the medical subject ophthalmology is unknown and primitive in India and ophthalmologists are so scanty therefore the above Siddha surgical method is necessary?
Another surgical method followed in Siddha system is far more bizarre and which is called Karanool chikichai (Medicated thread for piles and fistula).
The caustic substances like Achyranthus salt and Dalmia extensa salt are smeared on a thread to make it abrasive and the abrasive thread is used to cut and remove piles and fistula.
They put knot around the fistula or piles with the thread and tighten to cut the fistula. Not only is it painful, but also unhygienic and ulcerative.
The ulcer can easily be infected by several microbes.
Do we need such surgical practice? Post removal of piles and fistula, do Siddha system has any strong microbicidal and antibiotics to treat the patients? If they do surgery using karanool, won’t they expose the patient to various opportunistic pathogens and increase their virulence?
Will NIS allow microbiologists to take sample from their surgical instruments; the Siddha products used during and post surgical treatment, the operation theatre etc for detailed microbiological analysis?
Another surgical method followed in Siddha system is called Chuttikai (Cauterization by using metal instruments like Gold, Silver and Copper for boils, abscesses, warts, Tumors etc).
The above method employs burning of the tissues to remove them.
They also use the above method to stop heavy bleeding. It is used in scrotal swelling, abdominal swelling etc. Tissues when damaged get easily infected. What do they have to prevent such infection?
The above listed wonderful surgical methods only have earned the attractive title to Siddha curriculum – BSMS (Bachelor Siddha Medicine and Surgery).
With the above listed wonderful surgical methods only the institutionally qualified Siddha graduates claim they also know surgery and they are surgeons as well!
Will any one who knows a little science ever accept these surgical methods as prudent, much needed, effective, scientific, safe etc?
The pitiable contrast and contradiction is that without any effective, curative drugs and the surgical practices without any scientific basis and rationale, our country is producing Siddha graduates under the title Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery (BSMS).
Won’t these surgical procedures of Siddha system increase the virulence of many microbes?
Why we are shy to call a spade a spade and re-position Siddha system as paramedical wellness based system? It is not the educated, rich people who go to institutionally qualified Siddha healers for leech therapy or karanool treatment. The poor people in remote areas are the one who visit the ISM healers purely due to their innocence and ignorance.
By promoting cross pathy and promoting unscientific health practice as system of medicine, can we solve our medical problem?
ISM deserves respect, recognition and support not as system of medicine but as paramedical wellness approach.
S Ranganathan
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