A new website is there now for public, both inland and foreign, medical community as well as patients who would want precise information about the facilities available at various hospitals etc, at Chennai. Chennai, as one knows well, is the heartland of medicine, and also one which attracts patients from all over the world particularly in view of cost-benefit.
One may click at the title of this posting to learn more, by logging on to the site.
The site can offer more by creating an awareness amongst the vulnerable sections of the society, about symptoms of diseases, common health conditions, remedies available therefor and to where to look for them. It could also serve as a powerful tool in the hands of doctors in searching for recently approved generic and brand drugs, as well as drugs that are banned especially in European countries and in USA, but well sold in Asian and African markets.
It all started with a nasal spray for protecting one against SWINE FLU. I was one among the 300 and odd who received the nasal spray.
A couple of days thereafter, I had sore throat, and a little cough but the doctor said that for a few this spray would cause this minor side effect and it will go away on its own.
Unluckily for me, the sore throat stuck that the doc prescribed Cetrizine 5 mg for 5 days. A cough pestering possibly pursuaded the doc to suggest an antibiotic Ciprofloxacin 250 mg (though he could find nothing infectious in my lungs) for three days.
Cough was adamant and said I would not go. i went to the doc again. But to my cardiologist who was well aware of my medical history. He examined and said: No infection anywhere. No antibiotics: but take xysol ; a combination of levocetrizine and montelukast sodium twice daily for three days:
This montelukast sodium was the dreaded drug for me for the last two years, not that it did anything to me but I could remember that this drug brought back the OCD problem back of which she thought she was fully cured. So I decided not to take this particular drug, but have levoctetrizine alone.
It did not work. I went to a respiratory specialist. He said the same thing: Lungs are clear. Anyway have a course of antibiotics: Again ciproflaxacin 500 for 3 days twice daily, and then we shall see.
Cough severe frustrating continued.
Then Chest X ray and blood report was called for.
X ray of chest showed nothing. But blood report suggested an elevated esonophils. 10 per cent.
doc puts me in diethylcarbamazine, that is hetrazon tablets .
Cough continues.
Doc puts me in steroids. hydrocortisone,
omnacortil 5 mg, 2+1 for 2 days, 1+1 for 3 days, then one daily for three days.
I have almost finished but cough still continues.
tired of antibiotics, i also take ayurvedha powder, thalisadhi in the meantime. With honey of course.
Now and then koflet soothens my throat , but then the cough starts.
It is now more than 40 days. Cough is pestering and rattling.
I do not where I am to go.
To the doctor or to an astrologer !!
மருந்தீஸ்வரா ! ஒரு மருந்து சொல்லடா !!
From "Harvard Classics, Volume 38" Copyright 1910 by P.F. Collier and Son.
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
HIPPOCRATES, the celebrated Greek physician, was a contemporary of the historian Herodotus. He was born in the island of Cos between 470 and 460 B.C., and belonged to the family that claimed descent from the mythical Æsculapius, son of Apollo. There was already a long medical tradition in Greece before his day, and this he is supposed to have inherited chiefly through his predecessor Herodicus; and he enlarged his education by extensive travel. He is said, though the evidence is unsatisfactory, to have taken part in the efforts to check the great plague which devastated Athens at the beginning of the Peloponnesian war. He died at Larissa between 380 and 360 B.C.
The works attributed to Hippocrates are the earliest extant Greek medical writings, but very many of them are certainly not his. Some five or six, however, are generally granted to be genuine, and among these is the famous "Oath." This interesting document shows that in his time physicians were already organized into a corporation or guild, with regulations for the training of disciples, and with an esprit de corps and a professional ideal which, with slight exceptions, can hardly yet be regarded as out of date.
One saying occurring in the words of Hippocrates has achieved universal currency, though few who quote it to-day are aware that it originally referred to the art of the physician. It is the first of his "Aphorisms": "Life is short, and the Art long; the occasion fleeting; experience fallacious, and judgment difficult. The physician must not only be prepared to do what is right himself, but also to make the patient, the attendants, and externals cooperate."
THE OATH OF HIPPOCRATES
I SWEAR by Apollo the physician and Æsculapius, and Health, and All-heal, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my ability and judgment,
I will keep this Oath and this stipulation — to reckon him who taught me this Art equally dear to me as my parents, to share my substance with him, and relieve his necessities if required; to look upon his offspring in the same footing as my own brothers, and to teach them this art, if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or stipulation; and that by precept, lecture, and every other mode of instruction,
I will impart a knowledge of the Art to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to disciples bound by a stipulation and oath according to the law of medicine, but to none others.
I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgement, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous.
I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and in like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce abortion. With purity and with holiness I will pass my life and practice my Art.
I will not cut persons labouring under the stone, but will leave this to be done by men who are practitioners of this work. Into whatever houses I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption; and, further, from the seduction of females or males, of freemen and slaves. Whatever, in connection with my professional service, or not in connection with it, I see or hear, in the life of men, which ought not to be spoken of abroad,
I will not divulge, as reckoning that all such should be kept secret. While I continue to keep this Oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of the art, respected by all men, in all times. But should I trespass and violate this Oath, may the reverse be my lot.
Cite as:
* Oath of Hippocrates. In: Harvard Classics, Volume 38. Boston: P.F. Collier and Son, 1910.
