INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS USED FOR HEALTH CARE OF PEOPLE IN SHIKARIPUR TALUK OF SHIMOGA DISTRICT WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN
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Date
20-01-04
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UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES BANGALORE
Abstract
This study was carried out during 1998-2000 in Shikaripur taluk. The sample of
the study were 15 indigenous medicinal practitioners, 10 traditional birth attendants, 39
patients and 150 general public in the Shikaripur taluk.
The results showed that the system of indigenous medicine is fairly prevalent in
the study area. Patients and even the general public were found to possess varying
degrees of the knowledge of indigenous medicines. Even the market survey carried out
showed the easy availability of indigenous medicines.
Majority of the indigenous medicinal practitioners were found to be popular in the
study area. Most of them were males from upper class and caste, fairly educated and
belonging to the older age group of above 60 years. Majority acquired their knowledge
through their parents as a family tradition.
Majority of their patients were women and children, living below the poverty line
and with low educational level. Half of the women patients visited the practitioners for
their reproductive health problems. This implies that the indigenous medicinal system
caters to the needs of poor rural masses and especially women and children. Majority of
the child patients were treated for health problems like sore ear, jaundice. dianEoea etc.
Majority of the patients were observed to be either fully cured or on the verge of getting
cured.
Birth attendants were poor, illiterate, old women from backward castes. As such
the general public and their clients took their services for granted and paid them very
meagerly. Thus due to the low status of their job and public disinterest, Dais' knowledge
of indigenous medicines was found to be fast declining.
From the market survey, 150 samples of the indigenous medicines were collected,
authenticated and classified according to their successful use in the treatment of various
diseases. The results imply the necessity of reviving and strengthening the indigenous
medicinal system.
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