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Health Buddhist philosophy
on ‘mercy killing’ Basic factors Administration
of poison or painkiller medication in a dosage sufficient to kill
the patient is called active euthanasia. This is done only with
the express consent of a patient. It must be well understood that
this process is never resorted to if the patient is unconscious. Passive euthanasia
is the withholding of medical treatment with or without a patient's
request, if thereby death is hastened, also on conclusion of incurability.
Such cases are to be referred to the patient's common-law right
who may opt to refuse this action. Physician -
assisted suicide is distinguished from active euthanasia, in that
the patient must take deliberate steps to bring about his or her
own death, with medical personnel providing assistance, but the
patient committing the actual act of suicide. Growing concern The Buddhist
approach Buddhists reject
the concept of God's sovereignty over individual life. Hence, it
would be relevant to review the Buddha's approach to similar situations,
not excluding self-imposed termination of life or suicide. "Nacha
bhikkawe attanam patetabbam, yoo pateyya, apatti dukkatassa" -Samanthapasadika "No bhikku
shall commit suicide. If anyone commits suicide, he shall perceive
an offence of a minor nature (Dukula awat). Primarily, this shows
committing suicide, had been identified by Buddha as a minor offence.
Therefore, it is clear that ending one's own life is not to be considered
as grave an offence as taking the life of another person. Although the
Buddha disciplined His clergy by such terms in the Vinaya Pitaka,
in all probability to avert suicide attempts at whim and fancy of
a certain disciple, further clarifications on the issue could be
found in the same script (Samanthapasadika- 334): "Yassa
pana maha abadhochiranubaddho, bhikku upatthahantha kilamanthi,
jiguchchanthi, kadaa nu khogilanano munchissamathi atthayanthi.
Sache so ayam attahawo patijaggiyamanopi na titthathi bhikku wakilamantiti
aharam upachchindathi, bhesajjam na sewati wattati. Ayam rogo kharo
ayusangkhara natitthati. Ayangcha me wiseesadhigamohatthappatto
wiya dissattiti upchchindathi wattati. Agilanassa pi uppannayangweegassa
ahara pariyesnam namapapangeho, kummatathana mewa anuyunjissami
ti kammatthanasisenaupachchindantassa watthati." "When
a bhikku is suffering from an incurable disease for a very long
time, other bhikkus who nurse him have to undergo great stress and
fatigue. If the disease is extremely degrading, (intolerably vile
and despicable) the ailing bhikku may conclude... However much medically
treated, this life will not survive. Other bhikkus, too, undergo
great fatigue nursing me..." In consideration of this, it shall
be worthwhile (Watthati) for the ailing bhikku to abstain from taking
medicine and food... considering, 'My disease is so cruel. I’ve
got an opportunity (Visheshadhigama-ya) on which I shall abstain
from sustenance of my body and shall confine all efforts to achieve
the goal...' Thinking thus, it shall be worthwhile for the marginally
sick bhikku to abstain from food." (DharmaVinischaya
by Rerukane Chandawimala Thera) A comprehension
of the foregoing in the Vinaya Pitaka would reveal that the end
result of committing suicide by abstinence from medicine and food
in circumstances of intractable pain and irreparable physical condition,
is not considered being offensive or a breach of discipline. Sangyukta Nikaya
enumerates the story of Ayushmath Godhika - a bhikku in meditation
ended his own life and the Buddha said as follows: "Evang
hi dhira kubbanti, navakang-khanti jivitam, Sammulam tanham abbuyiha,
Godhiko parinibbuto." "Wise
people do so. They shake off attachment to life. Uprooting the roots
of craving (tanha) Godhika attained Nibhana." Conclusion Look younger
as the years go by
By Humphrey
Head Answers Keep in touch
with family and friends, and take time to make new friends. Simply
being around younger people can help make you feel younger. 2. True - If
you have a good opinion of yourself, you are not only likely to
live longer, but to have fewer stress lines on your face, according
to studies at America's Baylor College of Medicine. You will also
be less likely to have accidents or suffer from depression and more
apt to want to live longer and feel younger than those who lack
self esteem. 3. False -
Sun exposure not only increases the risk of skin cancer, but it
also causes skin to age prematurely, and become dry and leathery,
says Dr. Alan Shalita, top dermatologist at the State University
of New York Health Centre in Brooklyn. If you're going to be in
the sun for more than half an hour, always use a sun block cream
or lotion. 4. False -
Stress is a big enemy of a youthful complexion. It can trigger eczema,
warts, adult acne and psoriasis. Many stress-related diseases will
make you feel old and burnt out, including colitis, ulcers and high
blood pressure. "If you are concerned that your looks and body
may be ageing faster than you want them to, reducing stress is the
best way of reversing the process," says Dr. Malcolm Carruthers,
a stress expert at London's Maudsley Hospital. "Scientific
research has proved that regular relaxation can slow down the rate
at which your internal organs age." 5. False -
"Moderate exercise helps you stop getting old before your time,
as muscles start to seize up quickly when you're inactive,"
says Dr. Roy Shepherd of the University of Toronto. "You would
have to go a long way to find something as good as exercise as a
fountain of youth. For the average older person who does little
more than rapid walking for 30 minutes at a time three or four times
a week, it can provide ten years of rejuvenation. 6. True - Insufficient
sleep causes dark circles under the eyes and can also cause dry,
sagging skin, says Dr Neil Solomon of America's John Hopkins University.
"Lack of sleep reduces circulation and narrows tiny blood vessels
that feed the skin," he adds. 7. True - Foods
high in calcium build up strong bones, which are vital in the battle
against looking old. Eat a tub of yoghurt a day, and plenty of sardines,
canned salmon and leafy green vegetables in addition to low-fat
dairy products. 8. True - Not
only is smoking dangerous to your health, consumption of half a
packet a day for two years increases the risk of premature wrinkles,
according to US scientists at the University of Utah. Their findings
show that the chances of developing wrinkles increases in direct
proportion to the heaviness of smoking. 9. False -
Water prevents skin from becoming dry and wrinkled. So drink plenty
of water - at least eight glasses daily will keep you clear-skinned
and young-looking. But don't rely on carbonated water, as it is
high in mineral salts, which encourage fluid retention. 10. False -
Until recently, the wisdom was that plenty of air was good for the
skin. Now leading dermatologist and cosmetic researcher, Danial
Maes has proved that air - especially polluted air like smoke, exhaust
fumes or industrial gases - is one of the single most ageing factors.
"When harmful gases in the atmosphere come into contact with
exposed skin, they stimulate a process which produces a rogue type
of cell called a free-radical," says the doctor. "Free-radicals
destroy skin cells and cause the lines, drying and complexion loss
that we associate with the ageing process." Dermatologists
have discovered that vitamin C combined with small amounts of vitamin
E starts a biological reaction which kills off free-radicals. Scoring 4-7 and you
should go back over the correct answers to improve your knowledge
of what it takes to stay looking and feeling youthful. Less than 4
and you need help fast if you are to avoid looking old before your
time. It's never too late to make a difference, so start today by
looking at the correct answers and taking action. The healing
powers of homeopathy It is only
in homeopathy that we recognize and rate the value of mental symptoms
of a patient among a group of other symptoms. Homeopathy
was introduced by Dr. Christian Fredrick Samuel Hahnemann in the
17th century, whose 248th birthday, his followers all over the world
will celebrate on April 10 this year. According to
homeopathic philosophy, healing a patient begins first in his mind. How a cure
is effected This has to
be done by administration of the correct remedy discovered in accordance
with the law of similar, taking into consideration Hahnemann's homoeopathic
philosophy, Materia Medica, chronic diseases etc. A patient having
symptoms similar to those which have been obtained on proving of
a drug on a healthy human body, should be able to be cured of his
ailment when the most similar remedy selected according to the law
of cure is administered. The remedy
thus selected will have the power, once it is taken by the sick
person to stimulate his vital force (mind) and produce within him
an artificial morbid state i.e., to produce disease similar to that
he is suffering from, but with a greater degree of intensity, so
that the latter would be capable of eradicating the former. Law of cure It must be
clearly understood that there is a law or principle governing life
and health and governing disease and cure. Turning
point Buddhist
philosophy When the mind
is deranged man gets sick. Everything in this world exists due to
cause and effect. (Dhamma Pada). Hahnemann has understood this doctrine
very clearly. In his explanation regarding the cause of disease,
he mentions the miasms to be the primary cause. The miasms are inherited
from man’s previous births (chronic diseases). There are three
miasms explained by Hahnemann. Psora, Syphillis and Sycosis, which
are the foundation for disease. He says understanding,
right thinking and intelligent observation of what is true and what
is not are the principles to be followed in homeopathy. Dr. J.T. Kent M.D. who is regarded as the first disciple of Dr. Hahnemann said; "Homoeopathy will not be universally adopted for many centuries. There are many people in this world who cannot believe a great truth however much evidence is presented in its favour. We are all encumbered with tradition. Disbelief in new things is our strongest tendency. The tendency to ridicule what we do not understand is born in us. Only a few refined and educated minds that have been opened by circumstances are prepared to examine our principles." Oral cancer
can kill A Professor
of Oral Medicine and Pathology at The Guy's, King's and St. Thomas'
Dental Institute, London, Dr. Warnakulasuriya did a feasibility
study for early detection of oral cancer in Sri Lanka for the WHO.
32 health workers and 29,295 individuals were screened. Of the 660
who were referred to the Kadugannawa hospital because of some initial
signs, 212 were false, 380 in pre-cancerous stage and four positive. The incidence
of oral cancer in Sri Lanka is the highest of all cancers of the
body. Early detection is of utmost importance for a good prognosis
in treatment of oral carcinoma. Mouth cancer
is a malignant, neo-plastic growth or an ulcer, which can occur
in any part of the mouth, tongue, gums, and floor of mouth or lips.
Early signs include red or white plaques or patches and ulcers.
The quick transforming disease is self induced, brought about by
lifestyle and high-risk habits. Studies show that survival rates
have not improved. Causes of
oral cancer Who is at
risk? About 50% of
patients with oral cancer die within five years. Consumers of tobacco
and alcohol are most vulnerable. Smoking is definitely a high risk
factor, especially beedi, a crude form of cigarette. Tobacco that
is being consumed in various combinations, some of which are highly
potent lethal substances and reverse smoking where the lit end of
the cigar is placed inside the mouth can cause the most harm. Betel is sold
in large quantities in Sri Lanka. Although not dangerous on its
own it is usually associated with other mixtures for which it is
recognized. Arecanut is addictive and is known to induce cancer.
Chances
of survival Not many places
offer this facility as screening is still in the early stages. Dr.
Warnakulasuriya suggests that the medical field undertake a population
based screening, in collaboration with medical teams as an integral
part of general health screening at the municipal health centres.
Screening can also be done for high-risk groups who will have to
be identified from a database (target screening), based on their
habits. Screening should
be accessible, cost effective and reliable. Trained specialists
should be available for detection, follow up and thereby reduce
mortality. Population based screening should be done through primary
health care workers who visit homes and refer patients to the center.
They should be trained to detect all white/red patches and all ulcer
that persist for more than two weeks. Reiterating the role of dentists, Dr. Warnakulasuriya said that they should develop preventive health programmes and get involved in health care. They should ask, assess, advise, assist and arrange. Further, dentists should be vigilant and check for tooth and gum rot during routine examinations. If they find any signs while examining the mucous membrane, they should refer the patient to a specialist. |
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