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Homoeopathy Medical Council offers immunisation against dengue

Dr. T. C. Peiris (MBS, DMS, WB) President Homoeopathy Medical Council (Sri Lanka) yesterday offered the public a program of immunisation against Dengue, using a "Homoeopathy Immunisation Medical Kit, developed by the Homoeopathy Research Institute.

Recognised by the Government

Homoeopathy is an alternative system of medicine recognised by the Government by Act No. 7 of 1970, like the Ayurvedha system of medicine, and the Homoeopathy Medical Council is the governments implementing body of that system of medicine in the country.

Medical Kit

Dr. Peiris said, the medical kit comprise several homoeopathy drugs in globular form to be taken twice a week by people living in dengue prone areas where the epidemic is now spreading.

Strengthen the Immune System

The drugs which are simple to take will strength the immune system against the dengue virus, he claimed.

A person in the affected areas will have to keep taking the medicine until the epidemic wanes.

No money in the fund

Dr. Peiris called for NGO's in the country to collaborate with the council and him in launching the immunisation program as officials in the Homoeopathy Development Fund in the Health Nutrition and Welfare Ministry had said that the fund lacked the money to implement project, though its urgency was felt by them.

The Program is cost effective

Dr. Peiris said he could be contacted by interested NGO on his Mobile phone 078623397, to discuss the possibility of working out this programme, which is cost effective (The estimated cost to launch the programme in the Dehiwala MC area being Rs. 100,000 only).

Trained volunteers

Dr. Peiris says a group of trained volunteers would have to be taken to visit the homes in the area of operation to distribute the kit and explain to the people has the drugs should be taken.

Prevention

This group of volunteers could be used in addition on health, educating the people on the role they have to play in prevention, as the disease which affects mostly children is very serious, and in prevention a major part of which is keeping the environment clean rests mainly with the people.

United Effort Needed

He said, all of us, NGO's, professional bodies and other organisations have to get together and discuss how best we can get the people to think responsibly and live responsible lives.

Preventive health, a healthy nation and nation building lies here. This is an area where we have to act fast he said. Dr. Peiris as president of the Homeopathy Medical Council has provided the necessary drugs to treat dengue patients visiting the government Homeopathy Clinics in Welisara, Matale, Akurana, Moneragala, Kegalle, and Kurunegala.

Think seriously on 'Noise'

Dr. Sunil S. Wickremasuriya of 17, Frazer Avenue, Dehiwela has sent us this interesting extract on noise issued from the New York City's Council on Environment.

* Here's how noise hurts:

Continued exposure to noise damages your hearing. The louder the noise, the less time it takes to cause hearing loss. Cells of the inner ear are destroyed, and hearing deteriorates each time we are exposed to prolonged intense sound. The cells do not regenerate: Noise-induced hearing loss is permanent and incurable. It is, however, preventable.

1 out of 8 Americans suffer from some degree of hearing impairment.

* Noise hurts children, too!

The loud music that children listen to on the radio, on stereos and earphones, in discos, and at concerts impairs their hearing. Studies show that noise interferes with learning and lowers reading and math scores. Children will be deprived of these skills and will be partially deaf by the time they are grown unless we act to lessen noise.

* Noise does not have be loud to be harmful

Stress: A hazard to your health.

Noise is any sound that bothers us. Stress is the body's response to outside disturbances. A barking dog or a dripping faucet can trigger your body's responses: heart rate increases; blood pressure rises; the mouth dries; skin loses colour; muscles contract; and blood cholesterol rises.

Rule of thumb: If you have to raise your voice while speaking to someone three feet away from you, then your immediate environment could be hazardous to your health. Sustained stress reactions to noise can lead to high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, ulcers, indigestion, and insomnia.

Unsafe noise levels for classical musicians?

by Keith K. Klassiks (klassiks) (Email) (Homepage)

Committee set to examine findings of report which says big bangs in many famous works are seriously damaging the hearing of orchestra members.

LONDON - For the audience to a classical concert, it is high spot of the performance. The cymbals crash, the strings soar - and then there is the cannon. But for the musicians, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture (Read more about the piece here) is almost guaranteed to induce deafness.

A new report from the Association of British Orchestras (ASB) claims that the big bangs in many famous works are seriously damaging the hearing of professional musicians, the independent newspaper said.

It said an advisory committee of musicians, orchestra executives and venue managers would be examining the findings and drawing up a plan of action to reduce the risk. Musicians say works such as Wagner's 'Ride Of The Valkyries' and Stravinsky's 'The Rite Of Spring' can be loud enough to exceed European law on safe noise levels at work. The problem is getting worse because modern instruments - notably brass - sound bigger and bolder, while orchestras have become louder. Audience also expect a big sound. The ASB report, funded by the European Commission, makes it clear that the situation is dangerous and requires action.

The author, Ms Alison Wright Reld, a former BBC health-and-safety expert, has spent the past 18 months analysing all available scientific data. She said the review had made the case much stronger than before.

It is due to be published at Christmas, after discussion with the industry. An idea had prevailed that 'music' was less harmful than 'noise', she said. But the research showed that damage could be caused even if the sound was enjoyable, and hence categorised as music.

Musicians hated some of the most obvious solutions, such as ear-plugs, because they affected sensitivity. "There are other occupations where people need to be able to hear what they're doing, but not to the same extent as orchestras," she was quoted as saying. Musicians with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Philharmonic, who volunteered to take part in ear-plug trials five years ago, complained that the devices were uncomfortable and prevented them from hearing the rest of the orchestra. But Wright said there were other options. Spacing the players further away from each other and at different heights would help, she said.

"People have been presented with pretty unpalatable solutions in the past. It's better to have a solution that is slightly imperfect, but is routinely applied than something that is brilliant, but hardly ever done."

Ms Pauline Dalby, health and safety officer for the Musicians' Union in Britain, said members were worried about hearing damage. The union is carrying out trials of a new type of individually tailored ear protector with members of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

"I think the problem is widely accepted now. More and more of our members are aware that high-exposure levels are causing damage and once the damage has occurred, there's no turning back."

An EC spokesman said directives protecting workers from the risk of noise, laid down in 1986, were due to be re-examined in 2001. - The Straits Times

What do you think? Can music really damage hearing? Will some of the suggestions here work? Will the quality of the performance be compromised? Whether you are a performer or a listener, we welcome you to share your views at the Konzerthaus Cafe.

Keith K. Klassiks is a student from Singapore who enjoys helping people. He puts his hobbies of music, writing and web publishing to use by reviewing classical pieces for the Vienna Online, besides maintaining his site in Vienna.

Gotukola and long life

Sent by P. K. D. Wijesena (Horana)

I do believe that the following information extracted from a herbal medicinal book published in London would be very much of interest to anyone interested in health and in particular gotukola is used in our daily lifestyle as a curry, kola kenda, sambol or herbal tea. Gotukola has two varieties large and small and the botanical term is hydrocotyle Asiatica Major/Minor and in Chinese it is supposed to be called "For-ti-tieng" reference is made to the Chinese name as the extract refers to a Chinese.

The extract is as follows: "A highly potent variety of hydrocotyle asiatica minor found only in certain jungle districts of eastern tropics. Professor Menier of Paris studied the herb and claimed to have found in it an unknown vitamin which he termed vitamin x. This vitamin appears to have a marvellous rejuvenating effect on the brain cells and endocrine glands.

Lived for 256 years

Fo-ti-tieng gained its popularity due to the fact that the renowned Chinese herbalist, Li Chung Yun, who lived to be 256 years of age, used the herb daily. This aroused the interest of the French government and led to the establishment of an experimental station in Algeria where a committee of experts could study the plant. A research foundation in connection with a college in Colombo, Ceylon, received an endorsement from English government for the same purpose.

Professor Li Chung Yun was born in 1677, and in 1933 the New York Times announced the death of this remarkable oriental whose life span had reach over two and a half centuries. His age was officially recorded by the Chinese government and confirmed by the investigations of Professor Wu Chung Chich head of the Chang-tu university. The correctness of this amazing age was also born out by the fact that he had outlived 23 wives and was living with the 24th at the time of his death.

Professor Li gave a course of 28 lectures on longevity at a Chinese university. At the time he gave this course of three hour long lectures, he was over the age of 200. Those who saw him declared that he did not appear older than a man of 52, that he stood straight and strong, and had his own natural hair and teeth.

An article printed in Toronto Globe regarding Li Chung Yun is given in part as follows:...men who are old today declare that their great-grandfathers, as boys, knew Li Chung Yun as a grown man. dieticians should look into this... Early in life this Chinese lad developed a penchant for collecting herbs, and here is the point. What did he discover? It is claimed that Li Chung Yun's longevity was due to his strictly vegetarian diet, his calm and serene attitude towards life, and the fact that he regularly used two powerful rejuvenating herbs, one was for-ti-tieng and the other was ginseng.

Research into fo-ti-tieng a special research on the herb fo-ti-tieng was conducted by P. de Layman, M.H.P.A., director of the Herbal Institute of London. He wrote an article which appeared in several British publications as well as the American magazine, Health Culture.

This article as entitled "A remarkable plant from the Far East" and is given as follows: Arriving next month at the London docks from eastern tropics is the largest consignment yet to reach England of what must surely be one of the most intriguing and valuable cargoes that has ever been introduced to western medical science.

It is the result of several weeks careful collecting and drying of a low growing herb found only certain jungle districts in the eastern tropics, known to Chinese medicine as fo-ti-tieng, the "elixir of life" or "long life elixir" after clinical tests had been made over an extensive period, its rejuvenating virtues made such an impression that the French government reestablished an experimental station in Algeria and the British government gave a grant to the Ayurvedic College of Research, Colombo. Ceylon.

A French biochemist, Jules Lepine, conducted an examination of the herb and fund that the leaves and the seeds yield a rare tonic property, probably an alkaloid, which has a marked energising effect on nerves and brain cells.

But what seems the more exciting news resulting from an analysis carried out by Professor Menier of the Academic Scientifique, near Paris and experts in Algeria - both independently - is the discovery of what certainly appears to be a new vitamin not known in any other food or herb.

This he described as the "youth vitamin x", which property is, in the opinion of all authorities interested in fo-ti-tieng, that chief and peculiar virtue of the plant which exerts a rejuvenating influence upon the ductless glands, the healthy functioning of which,as the most readers may know, are the means by which the brain and body are maintained in healthy activity.

An interesting sidelight is thrown upon the unique vitamin asoect by the assertion many years ago of Nanddo Narian, a then 107 years old Indian sage, to the effect that fo-ti-tieng provides a missing ingredient in a man's diet without which he can never control disease and decay as a research herbalist, i have given long and close attention to fo-ti-tieng and have found it in practice to be the finest of all herbal tonics and nutrients.

It appears to have no equal in the treatment of general debility and decline. Digestion is strengthened, other foods better absorbed and the process of metabolism increased...in large doses it proves to be a safe aphrodisiac, when required." I am no person with medical qualification but since I thought the content of this extract from "Natures Medicines" by Richard Lucas would be interesting to anyone interested in health.

Centenarian gets help from our readers

Several Health Watch readers have responded to our call made last week in this page to help the 114 year old Centenarian Mrs. O. T. Engonona in Mihiripenne, Galle.

Mrs. Mohini de Silva of Mihiripenne wife of late Dr. K. K. W. de Silva who is helping this poor centenarian, and whose address we gave to contact by those willing to help this needy centenarian has informed us that two of those who responded to the call had already sent money for milk powder.

They are Miss A. Samaratunga of 21/12, Orbonside, Dehiwala and Mrs. Trixie Marthenesz of 18 Palmyrah Avenue, Colombo 3.

A tourist staying in a nearby hotel, having read the Centenarian's need had offered two packs of Anchor milk to her for the present.Mr. Bernard Joseph (Marketing Consultant), Lanka Medical Imports, has informed us that he would be sending a pack of chicken essence for the Centenarian, this weekend.

Health Watch and the Centenarian Study Group head Prof. Colvin Gooneratna wish to thank all those readers who offered to help this Centenarian.

Colombo Medical Faculty organisedInternational conference on curriculum change in medical schools

Universities in seven countries - Israel, Scotland, United States, Bahrain, Netherlands, Singapore and Hong Kong, will participate in a four day (30 June-3 July) international conference in Colombo on curriculum change in Universities organised by the Faculty of Medicine, Colombo University.

The Universities are Haifa in Israel, Dundee in Scotland, Illinoise in USA, Gulf in Bahrain, Maastricht in Netherlands, National in Singapore and Centre for Problem Based Learning in Hong Kong.According to a Conference program sent to the Health Watch by the Conference Secretariat, the inauguration is to take place on June 30th at Galle Face Hotel, Colombo and will last from 6 to 8 p.m.

Thereafter the sessions are to be held at the Faculty building at Kynsey Road, Colombo 8. Health Watch will carry a special article on the curriculum change on Friday, June 28.

Health Watch-organised Doctor-Patient discussion living with a bypass

Already a good number of bypass operated patients have registered their names at Durdans Hospital Heart Centre to participate at this discussion, which will be held at the Heart Centre on June 30th at 9.30 am.

Discussion will be led by Indian Consultant Cardiac surgeon Dr. Surinder Bazzz. Health Watch readers and others interested in participating please contact Mrs. Margaret Gunawardena at the Heart Centre Tel. 564695 Ext. 235

The following health Watch Medical Advisory panel members will also be participating at this event.

Dr. Dennis J. Aloysius, (Visiting Lecturer PGIM) and Family Physician, Dr. Githanjan Mendis (Consultant neurologist and head of the Institute of Sports Medicine. Ministry of youth affairs & sports) Dr. D. P. Atukorale (Consultant Cardiologist)

Our story interests Daily Telegraph (London)

Our last week's story on traditional cure for diabetes by Sri Lankan Hereditary Physician D. C. Kumarage interested the Daily Telegraph in London that its Colombo correspondent Paul Harris has met Mr. Kumarage on Monday and had a long chat with him on the cure.

Mr. Kumarage has sent us a note thanking us immensely for helping to promote our traditional remedies.

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