MEDICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES

EARLY TIMES

CONSCIOUSNESS OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND MEDICAL FACILITIES and consequent growth of them is a development of recent origin and could he attributed to Western education. Till the early decades of this century the populace was not disease-conscious and rarely availed of the medical facilities. A disease was, most of the times, ascribed to some evil influence rather than to any physical disorder and the only way thought fit to propitiate the disease was some sacrifice. The field of the medical profession was dominated by the vaidyas, the vaidus, the hakims and such other persons. The vaidyas used to give treatment according to the ayurvedic system of medicine. Their knowledge presented a combination of the medical and physiological know how that they acquired from their gurus, forefathers and from practical experience in course of their medical practice. Most of them used to diagnose the disease by nadi pariksha (the feeling of the pulse). The use of minerals was also developed in ayurvedic system which it used as ras or bhasm which was not possible without a thorough knowledge of chemistry. The vaidyas commanded great respect and practised mostly in the rural areas of the country. Their medicines were cheap and reliable. That the ayurvedic system of medicine prevailed throughout the ages in India is clearly evident from the fact that it was regarded as an integral part of Indian culture. We find in Sanskrit literature voluminous treatises on the subject such as Sushruta, Madhava Nidana and Vagbhata.

The system of diagnosis by vaidus and vaidyas did not essentially differ from the ayurvedic system of medicine. However, the vaidus diagnosis was based mostly upon the symptoms while that of the vaidyas was. based upon the study of physiology. But the vaidus moved from place to place and they possessed a good knowledge of rare herbs with rich medicinal properties. They occasionally treated the live-stock in the absence of any specialised veterinary practitioners.

The modern and up-to-date maternity facilities were conspicuous by their absence and pre-natal, post-natal and anti-natal care of the expectant mother was the sole responsibility of the elderly ladies in the joint families whose practical personal experience was of immense value for the purpose. The female nurse who acquired a sort of specialised knowledge about deliveries rendered extremely useful service.

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