Traditional Medicine in Asia

Traditional Medicine in Asia
of the pulse. It is complex when more than
one feature is involved, e.g., the pulse
shows two different types of irregularities
but each one is so repeated that both
irregularities form a single cycle of a regular
complex irregularity. An irregularly irregular
pulse is the converse of the above.
Rhythm
The rhythm of the pulse is the time relation
between the two periods of movement and
the two periods of rest. When these
relations are not perceived, the rhythm is
taken to be the relation between the period
of rise and the period of rest in two
consecutive pulse beats. In short, the
period of movement should be compared
with the period of rest. The pulse may thus
be eurhythmic or dysrhythmic.
Dysrhythmic pulse is of three varieties:
� Pararhythmic, in which the rhythm of
a child’s pulse is like that of the pulse
of a young man;
� Hetrorhythmic, in which the rhythm of
a child’s pulse corresponds to that of
an old man’s pulse;
� Etrhythmic, in which the rhythm is so
utterly abnormal that it does not
correspond to the rhythm of any age.
Marked deviations of rhythm indicate
gross derangement in the body.
The factors which govern the pulse are of
two types:
� Intrinsic factors: These are of a
general type and are fundamentally
responsible for the formation of pulse
and are thus known as the constitutional
factors;
� Extrinsic factors: Although these are
not directly concerned with the
formation of the pulse, they do produce
changes in it and are thus, (i) Absolute
as those which are necessary
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concomitants of a healthy life, and (ii)
Subsidiary, which are not so necessary.
Effects on the pulse of factors inimical to
the body are:
� Temperament: The effects of various
abnormal temperaments have already
been described.
� Compression of the vessel: This
changes the form of the pulse by
suppressing the strength and thus
making it inconstant. When the
pressure is overwhelming the pulse
becomes irregular and arrhythmic.
The compression may or may not be
from an inflammatory mass.
� Strength: Dispersal of strength makes
the pulse weak, as in severe pain, and
psychological factors also cause severe
dispersal.
Urine
The following conditions have to be
observed so that the information derived
out of it is reliable. The specimen should
be of overnight urine. Urine should be
collected in a clear and colourless bottle in
the morning on empty stomach and not
retained for too long after collection.
The individual should not have used
diuretics or any sustenances which colour
the urine. Undue mental and physical
exertions should be avoided as these too
colour the urine, e.g., fasting, lack of sleep,
fatigue, hunger and outbursts of anger
make the urine red or yellow. Coitus gives
a marked oily appearance to the urine.
Vomiting, diarrhoea and polyuria also
change its colour and density. In infants
and children, urine does not give any
reliable indication because milk feeding
hides the proper colour and consistency
of urine. Also, their phlegmatic nature
tends to hold back the pigments and