Government Unani Medical College Chennai

The Unani or Greeco-Arabic system of medicine was introduced by Hippocrates. However this system later extensively developed by Arab physicians. The basic theory of the Unani medicine is based on the concept that perfect balance between the Elements concept that perfect balance between the Elements (Arkan), Humors (Akhlat) and Temperament (Mizaj) is necessary for good health. Every individual has inherent powers of self-preservation, called Quwat-e-mudabira badan. The four humours present in the human body are Balgham (Phlegm), Dum (Blood), Safra (Bile) and Sauda (Black bile), the example of colour is for character and matter. The excessiveness of these humors determines an individual`s Temperament or Mizaj which again could be of four kinds: Damvi (Sanguine or Plethoric), Safravi (Choleric or Bilious), Balghami (Cold or phlegmatic) and Saudavi (Melancholic). Any change in character or quantity of humor, Temperament can lead to disease. Diagnosis is based on detailed clinical examination, Pulse, Urine, and stool examination, nowadays all the modern diagnostic tools are utilized to help for their diagnosis to confirm and have better documentation. Treatment is based on Humor disturbances and Temperament changes. There are four types of treatments. Dietotherapy (Treated with alteration in diet and restriction of certain food items), Pharmacotherapy(Herbs, Animal Origin drugs & Minerals, single or in compound form), Regimen Therapy(Specialised procedures such as Massage, Exercise, Cupping Leeching, Emesis, Enema, etc.) & Surgery. Great Unani physicians such as Askhaliboos (Aesculapious)1300B.C has mentioned regarding dietotherapy and herbal therapies. Unani Medicine is based on the teachings of Buqrath (Hippocrates) (460-377 BC) on the concept of 4 humors Khoon (Blood), Balgham(Phlegm), Safra(Bile) and Black bile. Buqrath (Hippocrates is Father of Unani Medicine he is also considered as Father of Medicine. Still his oath is followed by every medical graduate in the name of Hippocratic Oath. Jalinoos(Galen) (131-210 AD) followed the Hippocrates methods accepting the doctrine of the humors, which regarded the human body, he considered any alteration either by character or quantity or composition of humor leads to disease. Rhazes (Abu Bakr Zakria Rhazi) (850-923 AD) was a great scholar and wrote more than 200 treatises on various topics of medicine. He has mentioned Six essential factors of life (Asbaab e Sitta Zarooriya), He is the first person to distinguish between Chicken Pox and Small Pox. Abu Ali-Ibn-e-Sina (Avicenna) (980-1037 AD) popularly known as “Shaikh ur Rayees” was a renowned Unani Arab physician, his “The Canon of Medicine” an attempt to reconcile the doctrines of Galen and Aristotle, was the standard medical work for several centuries in Europe and used as a textbook as late as 1650 AD. Unani medicine has inherited and profusely practiced in many parts of India and has become one of the indigenous system of medicine. Though it originated in Greece and Developed by Arabs it is widely accepted by Indians, it was used by the Delhi Sultans, the Khiljis, the Tughlaqs and the Mughal Emperors during the 13th and 17th Century. The renowned Hakeems of India are Hakeem Abu Bakr Ibn Ali Usman, Hakeem Sadruddin Damashqui, Hakeem Ali Geelani, Hakeem Akbal Arzani and Hakeem Mohammad Hashim Alvi Khan, Hakeem Ajmal Khan, Hakeem Majeed Khan, Hakeem Kabeeruddin. In this present era Dr. Hakeem Syed Khaleefathullah founder of Niamath Science academy, Chennai and Prof. Dr. Hakeem Zillur Rahman founder of Avicenna academy, Aligarh have contributed a lot and still continuing to work for Unani. Along with the Moghul empire Unani system of medicine spread to South India especially Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Unani system of medicine is widely accepted by the people like other Indian system of medicine. State and Central government has set up many centres in Unani to help the needy people. There are many Hakeems who have contributed their services and their contributions has led to spread of Unani system of medicine such as Hakeem Masood Madani, Hakeem Maqdoom Ashraf , Hakeem Niamathullah, Hakeem Zakiuddin, etc. To develop and safeguard Unani system of medicine in Tamil Nadu, Government of Tamil Nadu(Madras Presidency) established a first Tibbi college at Chennai in 1920in the name of Khuddusia Tibbia College, which was later converted to School of Indian Medicine and College of Integrated Medicine and the Govt. College of Indian systems of medicine. In the year 1979 the Government Unani Medical College was established in Chennai City. The first batch of students were admitted in the year 1979 in a Pre-Tib (Pre-degree course) course of 2 year and 5 ½ year of Main course of B.U.M.S. The classes for first batch of Main Course of B.U.M.S have commenced in the year 1982 in the campus of Arignar Anna Govt. Hospital of Indian Medicine, Chennai-106. This College was affiliated with University of Madras. In the year 1988 the Government. Unani Medical College, Chennai. is affiliated with The Tamil Nadu Dr.M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai and conducting the U.G Course (B.U.M.S.) in Unani system of Medicine in the State of Tamil Nadu. ...view more