Treat patients with love

18 December 1995, Prasanthi Nilayam

Published English.

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The first message conveyed by culture to the whole of mankind is this "Let all people live happily, in good health and cheer." It desired that no one should experience suffering or misery in this world.

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Health is the English term for in Sanskrith. The word health is derived from the Latin word "Healy." has several meanings. One is sacredness. Another is (Wholeness). The term thus indicates that all the organs of the body should be perfect and holy. If any organ is afflicted, the body cannot be said to be Whole. Hence men should aim at achieving perfect health and help others to do so. "." (Every man takes birth as result of past actions. is the cause of death). Thus is the cause of birth and death. Every action has an effect. In any action done by man, its consequence is present in a subtle form. Action thus is related to its fruits. Moreover, time is also related to action. Action and time are inextricably inter-related.

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Time is measure of duration between two actions Every action has its own (course). One object is separated by space from another. Likewise, time is the measure of the duration between one action and another. Here is a tumbler. Beneath it is a plate. The space between the glass tumbler and the plate is termed . There can be no separateness between one object and another without this . defines the inter-relationships between two objects. Now regarding time: A doctor fixes 8 A.M as the time for performing an operation. By 11 A.M, the operation is completed with the stitching of sutures. The three-hour interval between the commencement of the operation and its completion indicates the time taken for the surgery. In reckoning time, action is also involved. Action is the interval between two points of time. Thus time and action go together. Hence everyone should recognise the intimate relationship between action and time.

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Every action, whether good or bad, has its consequence. There is no action in the world which is devoid of consequences. This is law of nature. For instance, a finger is cut by a knife. Immediately the finger starts bleeding. The result of the cut is instantaneous. When man slips on a step while walking, he sustains a fall and a limb is fractured. Here again, the result of the fall is instantaneous. Take another example. You had your breakfast this morning. It takes two hours to digest the food you have consumed. In the two earlier examples the results of the actions were instantaneous. But in the case of digestion of food you have consumed, it has taken two hours. Another example: You sow a seed. It becomes a sapling after some days. To bear fruit it takes some years. Thus every action has a consequence, but the time interval between action and result varies from case to case. culture recognized the truth about action and consequence. Others have also got to realise this truth. One who is aware of this truth is unlikely to commit any wrong action, because he knows that good actions produce good results and bad deeds have bad consequences. Recognition of the law of will make men lead proper lives. Man today takes to wrong paths because they have not realised this truth.

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People consider, wealth as, essential for physical comforts and thereby become slaves, of wealth. As long as they remain slaves of wealth, they will have no respite from troubles. "" (All should be happy. All should be free from sufferings). If you are to pray in this manner, you must have these feelings in you. Dr. urged that should indicate to the doctors the right path and give them strength to pursue it. You are not lacking in strength. God has endowed you with strength, but you are not using it on right lines. Every human being is endowed with a divine energy, which has to be used for proper purposes. It has to be used righteously according to the dictates of one's conscience. When the conscience is satisfied the energy gets sanctified. Man today misuses the Divine energy for selfish purposes.

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Duty of doctors today Men should realise the sacredness of action and time. The presiding deity of is allpowerful. Hence a prayer is addressed to the deity requesting him to see that one's actions are good.

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The human race is called Mankind, because sacred feelings, thoughts and intentions are there in man. It means "humanness" is synonymous with kindness. The sage wrote eighteen (sacred epics). Who has the time to read so many ? Therefore, ruminating on this point, sage declared the quintessence of these just in these words: "Help ever; Hurt never." This is the duty of doctors today. They have acquired valuable knowledge. This should be used for public good. The more it is used this way, the more it will grow. Always be prepared to serve a patient when he comes to you. It is a sign of weakness to turn away a patient on a plea of inability. You have the God-given power. Be conscious of your power. Doctors should recognise the importance of the five human values: Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Love and Non-violence. Love is the basis for all the other values. Doctors can infuse courage in patients by the love they show towards the patients. If doctors carry out their duties with love they will be crowned with success.

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"Old is Gold" In the discussion at the conference, several conflicting views were expressed by the participants. One of the issues was whether the latest technique should be preferred as against earlier techniques. was of the view that the older techniques had much to be said in their favour. The older technique, though they may not produce quick results, are slow and sure. The latest techniques appear successful momentarily but their long term results are not always good. While the latest technique should be employed where necessary, the earlier techniques should not be rejected out of hand. "Old is Gold" The old techniques have the merit of proven value. A caveat should be said about heart transplant. The operation may be easy, but how easy is it to get a heart for transplanting? A transplanted heart may serve for a time, but cannot serve as long and as well as the God-given heart. A word of caution has to be uttered with regard to heart transplant or transplanting the cornea for the eye. The character of the person from whom the transplanted heart or cornea has been got should also be taken into account. The practitioners of medicine in ancient times considered these factors in treating patients. The antecedents of families were fully examined in the past, before marital alliances were concluded. But today these factors are ignored. People are indifferent to family backgrounds, while they are concerned about the pedigrees of dogs in dog show! This indifference to lineage accounts for the breakup of many marriages after a short time. This should not happen. Marriage should be a life-long partnership.

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