Modern Medicine versus Ayurved: Verbal spat on Supremacy

 

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The current brawl about the supremacy of Allopathy and Ayurved is uncalled for and unfortunate. The whole episode started from a statement, ostensibly read out by an arrogant loudmouth Yoga Guru. Any system of medicine, be it modern or antediluvian Ayurved, must NOT be dragged into the commotion. The present controversy seems more of individual ego than genuine concern. 

A Yoga teacher and self-imposed champion of the Indian system of medicine, Baba Ramdev poses ascetic but more than that he is an industrialist who runs a multi-million business in the name of Patanjali Ayurved. He tries to establish himself as an expert medical doctor as well and claims to treat chronic diseases with his knowledge and experience. A mendacious hype was created to give people an illusion about him larger than lifesize. It was even rumoured that doctors of premiere medical institutions used to consult him even during surgeries! 

The calibre and ability of  Ramdev may be of superlative degree but should he fustigate others in a demeaning tone?  The garrulous often seen crossing the lines to arouse the sentiments of his followers; his controversial utterances, pooh-poohing and castigating competitors, results in avoidable unpleasant tumult occasions. He is often found in the eyes of the storm by his controversial actions or words. In the recent past, he asserted to have invented the curative drug for Coronavirus which was nothing but a pack of oil, tonic and ayurvedic preparations already in the market. His unsubstantiated and fake claim fell flat on the face. 

In the current controversy, the reaction shown by IMA (Indian Medical Association) was equally not good either. IMA is a voluntary organization established in 1928 to maintain the honour and dignity of the medical profession. In addition to that, it aimed to promote the advancement of medical science and improvement in public health and medical education. The association, in the present controversy, is seen behaving in a manner not decent and honourable. The organization has more than 30 lakh doctors as its member should have seen to it that the doctors adhere to their ethics but sadly enough, the opposite is in currency. The irresponsible behaviours of some professionals in the difficult time of the Coronavirus pandemic have left the public vulnerable. They are fast losing public faith. Social perception about their saint-like profession is waning fast; they are emerging as a money minting machine whose only aim is to extract patients. This led to the present crises. However, the unpleasant verbal and legal fight would not be good for public health and the medical profession.  

System of modern medicine, Ayurved, Homeopathy, Naturopathy or any system of cure, be it preventive or therapeutic, ought to be looked at with dignity and decency. Every system works for human welfare. It ought not to be demeaned. It is the choice of people to believe them or not. The present commotion, unfortunately, has made it very ugly. 

As has been said above, believing something or the other is a personal choice but dogma should be avoided. It narrows down the vision hence is obstructive and gives partial information, harmful for a justified decision-making process. In an iconogenetic society where people tend to sway with their belief system and easily form an icon, it becomes all the more important to create a genuine image, not an illusion based on hype and exaggeration of concocted facts. The overhype is unhealthy for the truth to show itself which in turns dims reasoning and logic. Speaking and advertising is an aspect that ought to be exercised with prudence and justification to educate the people about the organization and/or a product, not for a ludicrous show of pugilism. Unfortunately, however, this is becoming rampant. 

No knowledge is absolute. In the scientific field, a scientist propounds a theory in the form of a hypothesis. After passing through experimental tests and logic, the hypothesis becomes law. Even then some theories/laws were later changed because of the additional facts that came to light after further research and investigation. Before the discovery of electrons by JJ Thompson in 1897 the atom was believed indivisible. The examples are several. The pursuit of accurate knowledge by logic, documentation and experimentation has been the favourite topic of humans since the dawn of civilization. Indian society has had started working on it way before the so-called modern world was trying to learn the basics. 

The pure form of science when used for the welfare of humanity becomes applied. The medical field is such an applied science. In our country, the medicinal practice has been an integral part of life since aeon. The physicians, popularly known as "Chikitsak" or "Vaidya" were viewed with reverence. The cure of unconscious Laxmana by Sushena, a renowned physician of the time, during the Ram-Ravana war of Ramayana, testifies to the respect and fame they commanded. Our learned sages and hermits spent nights, meticulously studying and researching the intricacies of the human body. They would superficially bury a cadaver for some time in alluvium near a river, thence study its morphological, anatomical and physiological structures inside out. Sage Shushrut, a leading and renowned surgeon of his time, had written a compendium "Shushrut Samhita" as well. Primarily the methodology of cure was herbal centric. It used herbs and their extracts to cure ailments. Certain chemicals/metallic minerals were also used in combination with herbs to produce decoctions and medicines in a system we know as Ayurved. Various alkaloids, chemicals and elements present in the herbs/plants are beneficial to human health. They act as stimulant, mood-enhancer and curative when consumed in isolation or in combination with other food items. The use of herbal medication produces no side effects if taken in a controlled manner under the guidance of a "Chikitsak". With time, the old school of curing started waning and a new form of system, modern medicine, came in. The old system, Ayurveda, did not wipe out. It lived and still is an effective way of treating patients. 

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The modern form of medicine, commonly known as Allopathy is very similar to Ayurved in its object of treating the patients but with some differences in their approach and ways of treatment. Allopathy depends upon symptomatic treatment. The drugs which are used in allopathy are largely the mixtures of complex organic compounds. With improved knowledge and instruments, scientists have been able to pinpoint the various physiological activities at the micro and nano level. This has helped a lot in treating many complex diseases, though a permanent cure is still far away. The allopathic system gained popularity and prominence for it gives quick relief from the ailment but the side effects it produces are far more dangerous and are the cause of concern. Most of the deadly diseases like cancer, brain haemorrhage et cetera are still not fully curable. It is evident from the high death rates due to these diseases. An appropriate and exact diagnosis of the illness helps a lot in administering the proper drug to cure the disease. The use of heavy instruments and methods of diagnosis like X-ray, CAT Scan, MRI and Ultrasound though help in identifying the ailment but are unsafe because of their harmful side effects. The increased popularity of modern medicine has led to many complications and expensive mode of treatment. 

The verbal fight and counting of dead bodies to establish the supremacy of one form of pathy over the other are simply unethical. The wrongdoings of some do not construe that everyone is the same. The controversy has deeply furrowed society. It has become the fight of innocent-looking lone Baba versus pharma companies and medical doctors. It is certainly not good for public health and well being. 

The rots in the medical profession ought to be cured. IMA, which has the prime responsibility, has to work meticulously to restore the waning professional glory. They should mend their ways and chalk out a charter for professionals to follow and restore pristine honour and pious character. Unnecessary dragging Baba Ramdev in the brawl just because of his comments and hiding behind its shroud would not do. The rotting profession will become even more rotten if timely surgery is not done. 

In the end, it is clarified that the blog does not intend to hurt people's sentiment. It is based on general perception and available information for the general awareness of the people. Opinions may differ which is perfectly acceptable and welcome. 

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