Siddha Diagnosis is the method of determining
the disease. Find out more about diagnosis in Siddha system of
medicine.
Diagnosis in Siddha
According to Siddha, human body sustains the state of
healthy living via keeping the Three Humours in equilibrium, influenced
by dietary habits, daily activities and the environment around. In case
this equilibrium is disturbed, it leads to a condition known as disease.
It is basically the derangement of five elements, which in turn alters
the Three Humors. There can either be a decrease or increase in the
balance.
However, to identify the disease and its cause, a scientific method is
required. In Siddha medicine system, the method of diagnosis is quite
unique and is entirely based on the 'clinical acumen' of the physician.
The physician examines the tongue, complexion, speech, eyes, and
palpatory findings in a patient. This is followed by the examination of
the urine and stools. The diagnosis is also confirmed by the 'Pulse
Diagnosis'.
These are known as the 'Eight Tools of Diagnosis'. These tools not only
enable the physician to diagnose the anomaly but also help to discover
the prospects and restoration of health. It should be noted that pulse
diagnosis was distinctive in Siddha medicine and was later used in other
medicine systems. The pulse is examined from the right hand of the males
and left hand of the females.
The pulse is recorded at the Radial-artery. The unit of pulse diagnosis
is 1 for Vatham 1/2 for Pitham and 1/4 for Kapham. This unit is
equivalent to the size of a grain (wheat). Besides, the interrogation of
the patient only plays a nominal role in determining the cause of the
disease. The symptoms and procedure of the eight-fold examination,
commonly known as Ashta Sthana Pariksa are given below:
- Pulse (nadi): Of utmost importance, it is the
confirmatory method recorded on the radial artery.
- Tongue (na): It appears black in vatha, yellow or red in
pitha, white in kapha, ulcerated in anaemia.
- Color (varna): Complexion appears dark in vatha, yellow
or red in pitha, pale in kapha.
- Voice (svara): It sounds normal in vatha, high pitched in
pitha, low pitched in kapha, slurred in alcoholism.
- Eyes (kan): Appear muddy in conjunctiva, yellowish or red
in pitha, pale in kapha.
- Touch (sparisam): Feels dry in vatha, warm in pitha,
chill in kapha, sweating in different parts of the body.
- Stool (mala): Stools seem black in vatha, yellow in
pitha, pale in kapha, dark red in ulcer and shiny in terminal
illness.
- Urine (neer): Early morning urine is examined; straw
color in indigestion, reddish yellow in excessive heat, rose in
blood pressure, saffron color in jaundice and looks like meat washed
water in renal disease.
