Conceptual And Applied Aspect Of Agnikarma In The Purview Of Cauterization

In Ayurveda, Shalyatantra is one of the eminent branches based on six major methods of management among which Agnikarma is boon for local Vata and Kaphaja Vyadhi. Its effect can be assessed as Sthanik Karma (local action), Saarvadaihik Karma (Action throughout the body) and Vishista Karma (Special actions). Based on amount of Agni needed, the condition and site of disease, Dahanupakarana are used to produce therapeutic burns during Agnikarma Chikitsa. It can be classified according to Dravya used, site, disease, Akritiand Dhatu to be cauterized. Based on the Dagdha (Burn), it is again of four type viz. scorched burn, blistered burn, superficial burn and deep burn. Its indication is in all seasons except in summer and autumn. Indications and contraindications are well expounded in classics with detail information on Purva Karma, Pradhana Karma and Paschat Karma during Agnikarma as it is superior to every other procedure used in Ayurveda Surgery. In modern medicine, there is no use of therapeutical burn i.e., Samyak Dagdha Chikitsa but its use is in other form eg., Cauterization is used for coagulation and tissue destruction. Agnikarma is considered as the best therapy to pacify Kaphanubandha Vata Dosha because Agni possesses Ushna, Tikshna, Sukshma, Aashukari Gunas, which have anti Vataja and anti Kaphaja properties. It is done by red hot Shalaka. It gives quick relief to the patient and hence is termed as best therapy.

A study of venous drainage of thyroid gland in 50 cadavers.

Introduction: The thyroid gland is drain by mainly three vein, superior thyroid vein, middle thyroid vein, inferior thyroid vein. Some time fourth thyroid vein of kocher is also present. Material and Methods: Anatomy of venous drainage of thyroid gland was studied in 50 formalin embalmed cadaver, aged between 60 to 80 years. Dissection method was use for this study. Result and Observation: Middle thyroid vein found to be absent in 12 cases. No abnormality found in superior thyroid vein and inferior thyroid vein. Termination of all veins was traced. Thyroid vein of kocher was not found in any cases. Conclusion: A better understanding of the anatomic variability in superior thyroid vein, middle thyroid vein and inferior thyroid vein may be useful not only to minimize the risk of bleeding, but it also can help to perform a more accurate dissection with the goal of preserving the laryngeal nerves and parathyroid glands, especially because of its location and relationships with other adjacent structures.

A study of inter-pedicular distances of the lumbar vertebrae measured in dried vertebrae in Gujarat.

The reduced inter-pedicular distance is one of the common causes of primary narrowing of the spinal canal. Stenosis of the spinal canal due to decreased inter-pedicular distance is to the best of our knowledge, virtually unexplored so we under took this study of inter-pedicular distance. Eisestein S measured inter-pedicular distance in Caucasoid, Zulu Negroid and Sotho Negroid population which is compared with data of present study. Methods: All measurements were made by using Electronic Digital Vernier Calipers. Transverse diameter of the lumbar spinal canal was measured as the minimum distance between the medial surfaces of the pedicles of a given vertebra (Inter-pedicular distance. Results & Observation: Inter-pedicular distances of lumbar vertebral canal at levels L1 to L5 was measured in dry vertebrae of 63 subjects (32 male, 31 female) from Gujarat of age group 35 to 80 yrs. Mean transverse diameter (Inter-pedicular distance) is minimum at L1 (22.6 mm in male and 21.3 mm in female) and maximum at L5 (27.0 mm in male and 26.4 mm in female) showing a gradual increase from level L1 to L5. The inter-pedicular distance increased steadily from L1 to L5 in all populations in both sexes. The Gujarati population has greater IPDs at all level from L1 to L5 than that of Zulu Negroid and Sotho Negroid. But IPDs in Gujaratis are lower at L1, & L2 in male and L1, L2 & L3 in female and greater at L3, L4 & L5 in male and L4 & L5 in female than that of Caucasoid. Conclusions: A comparison between the present data and the data published data on inter-pedicular distance at lumbar levels of other populations also shows that there are marked differences between the mean values reported for the population of different geographic areas. The present study confirms that there is ethnic as well as racial variation in the size of the lumbar vertebral canal, thus, emphasizing the need to have normal values and ranges for the transverse diameter of the canal for different populations.

Anti-stress and anti-oxidant effects of roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum (Santa Pau & Fernandes).

The aqueous extract of C. borivilianum (250 mg/kg for 7 days) significantly reverted the elevated levels of plasma glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and serum corticosterone and also reduced the ulcer index, adrenal gland weight more as effectively as the standard drug (diazepam) in rats. At 125 mg/kg po, it showed a mild anti-stress activity. Under in vitro 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH*) free radical scavenging assay and lipid peroxidation assay the extract considerably inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, the levels of DPPH* free radicals and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, respectively thus showing significant antioxidant property. The results suggested that it could be used for the treatment of oxidative stress-induced disorders.

Pyogenic meningitis in Ahmedabad.

One hundred and thirty five cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from children clinically diagnosed Pyogenic meningitis (in and around Ahmedabad) were subjected to physical, bacteriological, cytological and biochemical examinations. It was found that all CSF specimens were turbid, the culture positivity varied form 12.12 to 56%. The highest percentage was found in children of less than one year of age. The average percentage of culture positivity was 28.68%. The result of gram stain was more than that of cultural examination. Gram stain of CSF was specific, accurate and highly valuable in the diagnosis of pyogenic meningitis. Among gram positive organisms isolated, Staphylococcus aureus was highest (8.8%) followed by Diplococcus pneumoniae (3.7%), but Klebsiella was predominant (6.6%) among gram negative bacilli. Staph. aureus was 100% sensitive to erythromycin, gentamycin, kanamycin and ampicillin. The results of cytological and biochemical tests correlated (67.1%). There was increase in polymorphs and protein, sugar levels decreased.