Diagnosis in Tibetan Treatment

Diagnosis in Tibetan Treatment

                                                                                          --by Mohammad Shaikh Farid

Proper diagnosis is the first requirement for starting any treatment. Physicians used to examine the patients in 13 (Thirteen) methods in Tibetan treatment in order to detect the proper disease. But, there are 3(Three) basic methods of diagnosis. Such as – (1) Seeing, (2) Touching and (3) Asking Questions.

These 3 methods are elaborately discussed below:

(1)  Seeing: At first the physicians used to see the patient’s skin. They see the complexion and the type of skin i.e. whether it is dry or oily or normal. Besides these, type of blood, nails and tongue etc of the patients are also seen.

If necessary patient’s urine is also examined. In Tibetan treatment there are some manners and customs are followed in examining urine. Such as,

a)          At the night before the day of urine examination having whey/skimmed milk, tea, coffee, betel leaf, cigarettes or taking any type of drug item etc are prohibited.

b)                Besides this, on the previous day the patient will have to be fully free from mental sufferings, and

c)            The patient will need sound sleep and will not go in any type of sexual relation on the day before the  day of urine examination

This examination is done in 3(three) stages--- making the patient warm, normal and cool.

(2) Touching: Physician can feel temperature of the patient’s body and other abnormalities touching on different parts of the patient’s body by hand. By examining index finger, middle finger and ring finger of two hands physician can realize the movement and disposition of various parts/organs of the patient’s body. There is a process of examining pulses with these 3(three) fingers. Such as pressing lightly by the index finger, giving medium pressure by the middle finger and pressing very strongly with ring finger. There are 2(two) parts of the tip of each finger — by right side can be felt condition of some organs and by left side condition of some other organs can be felt. On the previous day of the pulse examination date the patient requires to stay calm and quiet physically and mentally. On the previous day such foods and drinks are prohibited to take for the patient which stimulates the pulse. Sound sleep or rest is necessary in this case also.        

3)   Asking Questions:  Primarily after examining pulses, physicians want to know more about the patient. By asking questions information regarding problems of the patient comes out.

Normally physicians used to ask questions in 3 ways. Such as:

a)      Asking questions about the reason of the disease,

b)      Asking questions about how the patient became sick and

c)      Asking questions about own self of the patient.

In case of last one, such questions are asked to the patient that,

a)      What type of work he/she does?

b)      What he/she eats or likes to eat?

c)      When eats?

d)      When sleeps?

e)      What color he/she likes?   

f)       What type of dresses used to wear?

g)      What is his/her hobby?

h)      Whether drug addicted or not? and

i)        What type of person he/she is?
  
After completing all the examinations and inquiries as mentioned above, having all relevant matters in the knowledge physicians used to start treatment after proper and accurate diagnosis.