Marvels of Medicine

All of us fall sick sometimes. Medicines cure us and get us back on our feet quickly. But there are many different systems of medicines prevelant in the world today:
Allopathy : also known as the Modern medicine.
Ayurveda : The classic Indian approach to the art of healing.
Homeopathy : propagated by a German Dr. Samuel Hahnemann

Modern Medicine:
Hippocrates is known as the father of medicine. He was the first to suggest that diseases are not divine interventions but natural problems, curable by nature itself.

Steps of a treatment:
When we fall sick, a doctor can cure us. First he needs to ascertain the disease. This is called Diagnosis. He may take help of some tests to accurately diagnose the disease.
Then he will prescribe some medicines in a Prescription.
We must always follow the doctors’ advice.
At times, doctors need to operate on a patient. This is called Surgery

What makes us sick?.
Diseases can be caused due to many reasons. Microorganisms like bacteria and Virus are the main culprits. Some diseases like malaria spread through mosquitoes. Some, like Typhoid are spread by eating dirty food and water. Infectious diseases are diseases that spread from one person to another.
The best way to stay healthy is to eat a balanced diet, personal hygiene and regular exercise. Remember, Prevention is better than cure.

Important types of medicines.
Vaccine: is given to improve the body’s immunity to a particular disease.
Antiseptic: is a substance that is applied to a living tissue or skin to reduce the possibility of infection.
Antibiotic: are substances that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics are given to a patient if he has bacterial infection. One must always complete the full course of an antibiotic medicine.

First Aid:
The immediate care given to someone in emergency is called First Aid.
Always keep a first aid box ready in home. A typical First Aid box will contain
1. Bandaid 2. AntiSeptic 3. Cotton wool and bandage 4.Ointment 5. Scissors 6. Common medicines.



Ayurveda, which means "science of life" in Sanskrit, is based on the premise that everything in the universe, including the human body, is comprised of five basic elements: earth, wind, fire, water and space
Ayurveda prescribes natural remedies to cure the diseases. Yoga plays a big part in ancient Indian system of healthcare.
Charaka was a prominent Rishi and the first important physician of India. His book, Charak Samhita, is an important source of Ayurvedic remedies.
Sushruta was an important surgeon of ancient India and his book Sushruta Samhita is an important document on early surgery .


Homeopathy: Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine , first expounded by german Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. He put forth the idea of “like destroys like” , and created this branch of medicine. Homeopathy is characterised by highly diluted doses of medicine given typically in sugar balls.

Other alternate forms as acupuncture, Siddha medicine etc. also exist throughout the world.