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Diagnosis in Siddha form of medicine

Published On: December 4, 2009, 4:52 am

By Meenakshi Narang

The methodology used in diagnosing an illness or ailment in the Siddha medicine form is almost as unique as the medicine form itself. Here, physicians diagnose an illness based on their clinical proficiency. In order to make the correct diagnosis, siddhars make an eight-fold examination of the patient. This is known as the asthathana-pariksa. As part of the asthathana-pariksa, the siddhars make a thorough examination of the following aspects of the human body:

 
1. Na or tongue analysis
2. Varna or colour analysis
3. Svara or voice analysis
4. Kan or eyes analysis
5. Sparisam or touch examination
6. Mala or stool analysis
7. Neer or urine analysis
8. Nadi or pulse analysis
 
According to Siddhars, if the tongue is black or blue, it means that the body is suffering from a vatham or disease. A red or white tongue, on the other hand, suggests a pitham and kapha disease. In case of Varna or colour analysis, the same guidelines are followed as those in the tongue examination. 
 
While conducting a Svara or voice analysis, the siddhars listen closely to the tone, clarity, and the voice in order to make their diagnosis. When examining the Kan or the eyes, siddhars look for a black or blue eye which indicates a vatham disease. A red eye means a pitham disease whereas a white eye denotes a kapha disease. On touch or Sparisam, if the body is found to be sweaty, it means that the vatham has increased.
 
In the Siddha form of medicine, the mala or stool analysis holds a special relevance. As a part of medical science, it is also a very interesting method of making a diagnosis. In this case, the siddhars collect the person’s early morning urine after a night-long fast. A little oil is dropped inside the urine. Then, depending upon the shape taken by the drop of oil inside the urine, a diagnosis is made. 
 
For instance, if the oil spreads in the shape similar to that of a snake, it means the person is suffering from a vatham disease. In case the drop of oil forms a ring on the surface of the urine, it suggests a pitham-related ailment. But, if the oil simply floats on the surface of the urine, it means the disease is related to kapha.
 
Apart from the oil test, the siddhars are also able to make a diagnosis on the basis of the colour of the urine. For instance, deep-red coloured urine is indicative of blood pressure, while reddish-yellow urine suggests excessive heat in the body. A pale yellow colour of urine denotes that the person is suffering from indigestion.
 
Especially in the case of Nadi or pulse examination, the physician, on the basis of his experience and discipline, is able to feel the pulsation of vatha on his index finger, pitta on his middle finger, and kapha on his ring finger. As per the notes made by the siddhars centuries ago, there are approximately 10 points in the body through which they can make a pulse examination in order to diagnose the ailment.
 
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