Bull. Ind. Inst. Hist. Med. Vol. XXV pp 121 10 128

HUMORAL CLASSIFICATION OF DISEASES IN SIDDHASYSTEM OF MEDICINE

T. ANANDAN* ; G. VELUCHAMY**ABSTRACT

In siddha system of medicine the total number of diseases are siad

to be 4448, but the subclassification methodology and enumeration differ

from one source' to another. However, classification of the majority of

these diesases is either based on clinical symptoms or vitiation of humor.

Futher they have been sub-classified on the basis of the predominent

symptoms, affected organs and aetiological factors. This study may help

to understand the diseases classfied under humors very well and would

trigger interest 1n scholars to correlate the diseases in Siddha system

with those in modern medicine.

In Siddha system of medicine thetotal number of diseases are said tobe 4448, All most all the books likeJeevaraktchaamirtham, Sambasivampillai's Tamil English dicitionary,Agasthiar vaithya Rathna Churuk-kam, Therayar Vagadam, VathaValthiyathukkaadiand Yugichintha-mani 800 endorse this. But the subclassificat-ion methodology and enu-meration differ from one source toanother.

For example in Sambasivampillai

dicitionary based on the diseases oforgans from head to foot (Angandipaadam) in Jeevarakcha Amirtham.

a) Athomugam Diseases of or-gans head tofoot.

b) Oorthuva Mugam : Diseases oforgans foot tohead.

c)Upayangam :Diseases ofspecial organs.

The complete work on the signs* Assistant Research Officer, Mobile Clinical Research Unit C.R.1. (S) Madras - 106.**Project Officer, Mobile Clinical Research"Unit, CRI (S) Madras - 106.

122 Humoral Classification of Diseases - Anandan & Veluchamy

and symptoms, course of illness,

complications, aetiological factorsand prognosis of all diseases in one

book is not available. Separate workson diseases of eye (Agasthiyar

Nayanavidi) diesease of head andit's organs( Naagamuni thalai noi

maruthuvam), Psychiatry, (Agasthiyar

Kirikai nool) are also available. Inother works the details of certaindiseases only are available. Yugimuni

is the only author who has dealtalmost majority of the diseases viv-

idly with aetiological factors, singsand symptoms, course of illness andtheir prognosis in his workYugichinthamani.

He has classified the diseases in totwo categories

a) Based on vitiation of humors i.e.Vatha noigal, Pitha noigal, and Kabanoiqal.

b) Based on signs and symptoms.

The acumen and degree ot schol-arship evinced by the author is

simply striking. He has even de-scribed the minute signs and symp-

toms with prognosis. They all can be

correlated with modern disease en-tity. He has dealt most of the neuro-

logical, neuromuscular and diseases

of bones under vatha diseases.

Most of the digestive disorders,mental diseases were dealth withunder pitha diseases and under kabadiseases all the degenerative anddiseases of lungs and head were

described. Under general categoryhe has classified the diseases based

on symptoms like Suram (Fever)Vanthi (Vomiting) Seriyamai (Indi-

gestion) Gunman (Colic pain) Soolai

(Piercing Pain).

Further these diseases have beenclassified based on

a) Predominant symptoms

b) Affected organs

c) Vitiation of humor

d) Aetiological factors

The sub-classifications based onthe vitiation of humors are enigmatic

and it is very difficult to differentiatefrom one another. An attempt is

made to understand them in the lightof Modern Science.

Three Humor

In primitive age Siddha systemhad no hypothetic principles to ex-

Bull. Ind. Inst. Hist. Med. Vol. XXV

plain the causes and the treatmentof diseases. Later on floating ofideas and thoughts would have re-calved many thinking and criticismand finally they would have evolvedor profounded this five elementaland three humoral theory which isthe working hypothesis of Siddhasystem of medicine.

Anatomy, Physiology, Biochem-

123

istry of Siddha system of medicineare based on Five elements andthree humors.

Five Elemental Anatomy

Though they hadstudied the anatomyof human body deeply they had twotypes of anatomy.

a) Five Elemental Anatomy

b) Spritual Anatomy

Eather Gas Fire

Elemental Classification of organs of the body

Ear Skin Eye

Mouth Hands Legs

Humoral Physiology

Siddha system has 96 thathuvatheory by which they explained allthe physiological functions of thebody. Among them three humors

Liquid Solid

Tongue Nose

Anus General organsBlood Hairs

Semen Nerve

Lipids Muscle

Urine Bones

Bone marrow

are the vital. In physi- ologicalcondition or in the state of equilib-rium they arecalledasMutththaadhu.In inequilibrial state they are calledas Muthththoadam i.e. in Pathologi-cal state.

124

BothamQualities

HUMORALVATHAMEither& Gas

a. Drynessb. Lightness

c. Coldness

d. Fineness

e. Motility

FUNCTIONSI. ATTRACTION

a. Ingestion

b. Swallowing

c. Inspiration

II. REPULSIONa. Defecation

b. Urination

c. Seminal

d. Partition

e. Exhalation

III. TRANSMISSION

a. Motor & Sensory

b. Circulation of blood

Bull. Ind. Inst. Hist. Med. Vol. XXV

PHYSIOLOGYPITHAM

Radiance

a. Slightly

b. Flowing

c. Nonstickyd. Hot

e. Active

a. Digestion

b. Hunger

c. Thirstd. Cheerfulnesse. Intellectf. Courage

g. Vision

h. Lustre of thebody.

c. Absorption of nutrients.

KABAMLiquid+ Solid

a.viscid

b. Motionless

c.Stickyd.Heavy

e.Coldf. Inert

g.Soft

h.Duliness

a. Thermostatic

b. MucilagenousSecreationc. Strengthd. Potency

Humoral Classification of Diseases - Anandan & Veluchamy 125

VATHA

Neutral

Carbohydrates

Acetyl colineLymphocytesLipolyticEnzymes

VATHAMDryness

Constipation

Emaciation

Cachexia

Suppressionof urine

DISEASES

HUMORAL BIO- CHEMISTRY

PITHA

Acidic

Protines

Cata colomineErthrocytesGlucolyticEnzymes

HUMORAL PATHOLOGYPITHAM

Burning Sensationall over the bodyAcid erructationheart burnExcessive perspiration

Hernorrhaqe

Jaundice

Red patches

Bitter taste in mouthodour in mouthExcessive thirstless of vitalityloss of sleepAcute onset.

a. Vasovlar &Skin diseases

b. Neurological.c. Neuro muscular

a.lnflamatorydiseases.

b. Pyrexiac. Abdominal

diseases.d.Diseases of Bones d. Hypertention.

KABAM

Alkaline

Lipids

HistamineLuecocytesProteolyticEnzymes

KABAMExcessive sleep

Lazziness

Heaviness ofbodyExcessive saliva-tionLethergy

IndigestionpalorMild onset

a. Anasarca

b. Obesityc. Degenerative

disorders.Diseases of lungsupper respiratoryorgans.

126

So based on these pathologicalsigns specified in tables or associ-ated diseases, Humoral classifica-tion can be correlated with moderndisease entity. Forexample Gunmamhas been classified into eight variet-ies among which Vatha Gunmam,Vali Gunmam, Vayu Gunmam, aredue to Vitiation of Vatha humor.Pitha Gunmam, Sarthi Gunmam, andEri Gunmam are due to Vitiation ofAzhal humor. Kaba Gunmam is con-sequent on the vitiation of kaba hu-mor and mukkutra gunmam is themanifestation of the vitiation of allthree humors.

A careful and closer study re-veals that signs and symptoms ofVadha Gunmam correlates with thatpartial obstruc-tion, signs and symp-toms of Vayu Gunmam with tumorin Anorectal area and signs andsymptoms of Vali Gunmam with ob-struction, intestinal intersuseption.

Amoebic hepatitis or liver abscess,acute gastritis and cholecystitis havebeen described under Azhal, Eriand Vaanthi Gunmam respectively.Kaba Gunmam can be correlatedwith Tubercular abdomen and mukkutragunmam with terminal stage ofadenocarcinoma of the stomach.

Bull. Ind. lnst. Hist. Med. Vol. XXV

Veluppu noi (Anaemia) has alsobeen described as a separate dis-ease and it has been sub classifiedinto Vatha, Pitha, Kaba, Mukkutraand Nanju Veluppu.

Vatha type of Veluppu noi dealswith anaemia with worm infestation.

Pitha veluppu depicts the signsand symptoms of Anaemia with car-diac diseases and in kaba veluppu,Anaemia with bronchial disease havebeen described. Mukkutra velupunoidescribes the signs and symptomsof congestive cardiac failure.

CONCLUSION

Classification of disease vary fromone source to another. Majority ofthem have been classified eitherbased on clinical symptoms of vitia-tion of humor. Further they havebeen sub-classified on the basis ofthe predominant symptoms, affectedorgans, aetiological factors. Thishumoral classification is based onthe diseases specified in tablets orassociated diseases. This may helpto understand the diseases classi-fied under humours very well andwould trigger interest in scholors tocorrelate the diseases in Siddhasystem with modern diseases.

Humoral Classification of Diseases -Anandan & Veluchamy

1. Ananymous,

2. Anonymous,

3. Balaramiah,

4. Anonymous,

5. Anonymous,

6. Samhasivampialli TV.

7. Anonymous,

8. Narayanasamy, V,

9. Anonymous,

10.Anonymous,

1976

1976

1972

1968

1970

1978

1961

1975

1976

1972

127

REFERENCES

Agasthiar- Nagamunivar

Nayanavidhi Arulmigu Thandyathapani Swami.

Thirukkoil publication.

YugimunivarVaithya Chinthamani 800.

Arulmigu Thandayudhapaniswami, Thirukkoil

publication.

Vatha VaithiyathikaddhiSwami Deenadass, Siddha Pharmacy publica-

tion, Madras.

Athmarakcha Amirtham

B. Rathinanaikar and Sons Publication. Ma-

dras.Agasthiyar Vaithya Ratna Churukkam.

B. Rathinanaiakar Sons, Madras.

Tamil- English DictionaryG.D. Naidu Publication, Coimbatore.Agasthiyar Iynthu Sasthiranngal.

R. Gurusamy Konar Sons Publication, Madurai.

Introduction to Siddha System of Medicine.

Publication of Pandit S.S Anandam Research

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Therayar VaagadamArulmigu Thandayuthapaniswamy ThirukkoilPublication.

Jeevaraksha Amirtham

Gurusamy Konar Sons Publication, Madras.

128

~Bull. Ind. tnst. Hist. Med. Vol. XXV

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