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76 : Śramaņa, Vol 57, No. 2/April-June 2006
A definite order must be followed while treating patient. First, the physician must examine the patient thoroughly before arriving at a diagnosis. Next he must decide the treatment and lay down the course of management. (Caraka, 20: 20). Vāgbhatța warns the physician against starting treatment without complete knowledge of a case, which could be responsible for the loss of art, fame, reputation or whatever other benefit the patient and physician may have derived."
After initiating his treatment, the physician should observe the progress of the disease and the condition of the patient at frequent intervals, and should modify his treatment accordingly. (Cara.ka, 8:3J). The rules and the order of prescribing medicines as laid down in the scriptures must be followed. Medicines of one's own invention must not be prescribed. (Kaśyapa Samhitā, 1: 8).
If the condition of the patient deteriorates or serious compli-, cations arise he must not be told directly. Nor should the relatives of the patient be told directly about the impending death, which may badly shock them. Instead, the physician may indirectly hint at the prognosis thus: “None is immortal in this transitory world, nor can one escape death. However, disease can be cured and suffering can be alleviated’’ 14 Or, “The physician is not the master of life. He is the knower of diseases and the reliever of suffering.'
During emergencies, every available means must be employed, with minimum loss of time. If the life of the patient is threatened the physician must inform the relatives and friends of the patient and start his treatment after obtaining their consent.6 General Rules of Social Conduct
With a view that a physician should be an ideal citizen, numerous rules of conduct have been laid down for him in the ancient literature.
The physician should never harbour ill will towards fellow physicians or get into confrontations with them.. If need be, he may
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