Section Outline
- Historical Aspects of Public Health
- Concepts of Health, Disease and Prevention
- Vaccines, Immunization and Cold Chain
- Concepts in Screening of Disease
- Basic Concepts in Epidemiology
- General Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology of Communicable Diseases
- Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases
- National Health Programmes, Policies and Legislations in India
- Demography and Population Dynamics
- Family Planning and Contraception
- Preventive Obstetrics and Pediatrics
- Nutrition and Health
- Environment and Health
- Social Sciences and Health
- Health Education and Communication
- Health Care in India, Health Planning and Management
- Allied Disciplines in Public Health
- International Health
- Biostatistics
- Other Public Health Related Topics
PRIMITIVE MEDICINE
1. Ayurveda System of Medicine
- God of Ayurveda: Dhanvantari (Fig. 1.1)
- Ayurveda means the ‘Science (veda) of life (ayu)’
- Tridosha theory of disease: Disease occurs when there is disequilibrium in three doshas (humors), namely
- Vata (wind)
- Pitta (gall)
- Kapha (mucus)
- Eight branches (Ashatang Ayurveda):
- Agad tantra (Toxicology and Forensic Medicine)
- Bhoot vidya (Psychiatry, Supernatural factors)
- Kaumar bhritya (Pediatrics and Obstetrics-Gynaecology)
- Kaya chikitsa (Internal Medicine)
- Rasayana chikitsa (Geriatrics)
- Shalakya tantra (ENT and Ophthalmology)
- Shalya chikitsa (Surgery)
- Vajeekarana tantra (Eugenics and aphrodisiacs)
- Principle: Maintain equilibrium between three humours – Vata, Pitta, KaphaMajor ways of diagnosisKey treatment modalitiesNadi (Pulse)Mootra (Urine)Mala (Stool)Jihva (Tongue)Shabda (Speech)Sparsha (Touch)Druk (Vision)Aakruti (Appearance)Sodhana chikitsa (Purification process)Shamana chikitsa (Palliative therapy)Rasayana prayoga (Immunotherapy)Lakshina chikitsa (Symptomatic treatment)Sastra chikitsa (Surgical treatment)Vyadhiprayatnika chikitsa (Cancer treatment)Satyavajaya chikitsa (Psychotherapy)Pathya vyavastha (Dietary advice)
- Major texts:
- Charaka Samhita
- Sushruta Samhita
2. Homeopathy System of Medicine
- Founding Father of Homeopathy: Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (Germany) (Fig. 1.2)
-
- First principle:‘Similia similibus curenter’ - Use of small amounts of a drug that, in healthy persons, produces symptoms similar to those of the disease being treated
- Second principle: Single medicine at the time of treatment
- Third principle: Minimum dose to be used
3. Yoga System of Medicine
- Vedic science and art of healthy living
- Major text: Yoga Sutra (written by Patanjali)
- Principle: Disciplined life with positive attitude can control body without drugs
Types of Yoga | Principle |
---|---|
Japa yoga | Concentrate through recitation |
Karma yoga | Perform duty as divine action |
Gyana yoga | Knowledge of scriptures, saints |
Bhakti yoga | Complete surrender to divine will |
Raja yoga/ashtangyoga | All round development |
Swara yoga | Cosmic consciousness through breathing |
Kundalini | Awakening of brain |
Nadi | Doorways leading in and out of body |
4. Siddha System of Medicine
- Siddha means ‘Achievement’
- Is practiced in Tamil speaking parts in India and abroad
- Based on Physiological components of humans, namely,
- Vaadham (air)
- Pitham (fire)
- Kabam (earth and water)
- Principle: Medical treatment has to take into account the patient's environment, age, sex, race, physiological constitution, habit, diet, appetite, etc.
Elements of body | Function in human body |
---|---|
Elements of body | Function in human body |
Ooneer (Plasma) | Growth, development, nourishment |
Cheneer (Blood) | Nourishing muscles, impart color, intellect |
Oon (Muscle) | Shape of the body |
Koluppu/ Kozhuppu (Fatty tissue) | Oil balance, lubricating joints |
Elumbu (Bone) | Body structure, posture, movement |
Elumbu majjai (Bone marrow) | Blood corpuscles formation |
Sukkilam (Semen) | Reproduction |
5. Unani System of Medicine
- Originated from Greece
- Patient's character: Sanguine, phlegmatic, choleric and melancholic
Essentials of Unani medicine | Treatment modalities |
---|---|
Atmosphere Drink and food Sleep and wakefulness Excretion and retention Physical activity and rest Mental activity and rest | Ilajbil tadbeer (Regimenal therapy) Ilajbil ghija (Dietotherapy) Ilajbil dava (Pharmacotherapy) Ilajbil yad (Surgery) |
MODERN MEDICINE
1. Systems of Medicine
- State medicine: Provision of free medical services to the people at government expense
- Socialized medicine: Provision of medical service and professional education by the State (as in state medicine), but the programme is operated and regulated by professional groups rather than by government
- Prevents competition between practitioners and clients
- Provision of medical services supported by state government
- Ensures social equity that is universally operated by professional health services
- First developed by Russia
- Social medicine: Study of the social, economical, environmental, cultural, psychological and genetic factors, which have a bearing on health
2. AYUSH
- ISM and H (Indigenous Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy) have been now re-designated as ‘AYUSH system’ of medicine
- Ayurveda
- Yoga and Naturopathy
- Unani
- Siddha
- Homeopathy
- Sowa-Rigpa
- Mainstreaming of AYUSH (Fig. 1.3) is a key component of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) 2005-12.
IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTORS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
1. Hippocrates (460–370 B.C.) (Fig. 1.4)
- Also known as Father of Medicine, First True Epidemiologist, First documented Chest-surgeon
- Books written:
- On Air, Water and Places (Fig. 1.5)
- Epidemic I
- Epidemic III
- Contributions in Public Health: First physician to
- Reject supernatural or divine forces as causative agents of illness
- Doctrine of Four Humours: All illness was the result of an imbalance in the body of the four humors - blood, black bile, yellow bile and phlegm
- Categorise illnesses as Epidemic, Endemic, Acute, Chronic
- Describe aliments of rectum, proctoscopy
2. Sushruta (Around 600 B.C.) (Fig. 1.6)
- Also known as Father of Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery, Father of Indian Surgery
- Book written: Sushruta Samhita
- Contributions in Public Health:
- Basic principles of Plastic surgery
- 300 Surgical procedures, 120 surgical instruments
- Eight types of Basic surgical procedures: Excision, Incision, Suturing, Puncturing, Probing, Extraction, Drainage, Scarification
- Stages of surgery: Preoperative, Operative, Postoperative
- Classification of Bones and their reaction to injuries
3. Edward Jenner (1749–1823) (Fig. 1.7)
- Also known as: Father of Immunology
- Contributions in Public Health:
- First vaccine - Small Pox vaccine (1796)
- Coined term ‘Vaccination’
- Advanced understanding of Angina pectoris
4. John Snow (1813–1858) (Fig. 1.8)
- Also known as: Father of Epidemiology, Father of Modern Epidemiology, The Greatest doctor
- Contributions in Public Health:
- Studied Cholera (1848–1854) and established the role of drinking water in its spread (Causative agent identified later)
- Dosages for use of ether and chloroform as surgical anesthesia
5. Louis Pasteur (1822–1895) (Fig. 1.9)
- Also known as: Father of Microbiology
- Contributions in Public Health:
- Gave the ‘Germ theory of disease’
- Coined term ‘Vaccine’
- Developed Vaccines for Rabies, Anthrax and Chicken cholera
- Techniques of Sterilization and Pasteurization
- Principles of Hot air oven, Autoclave
EXAMINATION CORNER
Short Notes
- John Snow
- Edward Jenner
- Louis Pasteur
- AYUSH system of medicine
- Ayurveda system of medicine
Viva Voce
- What is AYUSH system of medicine?AYUSH is alternative system of medicine to allopathy in India, comprising of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy. It was earlier known as ISM and H (Indigenous Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy).
- What is Germ theory of disease?Germ theory states specific microorganisms are the cause of specific diseases. It was accepted due to work of Louis Pasteur.