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June 18, 2002 

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PROVIDING FREE TRADITIONAL TREATMENT AGAINST SNAKEBITE

Omana Gopinath,  Parampuzha, Kottayam

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Victims of snakebite, discharged from Medical College Hospital as beyond recovery, often come to Omana Gopinath at Parampuzha, Kottayam for treatment.

“I like to take up complicated cases.  When fate of a person hangs by the balance as it were, I love to be instrumental in tipping the scale towards life.”

Her guru is her late father Chellappan Pillai, who was with the Police Department.  Omana has certain premonitions about the patients likely to call on her.  “If poison has entered the body, the heart beat will be in a different rhythm.  Even after all others have gone to sleep, I will keep awake till the patient arrives at the door.”

It is not easy to maintain such ability.  “One has to get up at 3 o’clock in the morning, recite the prayer and complete preparation of medicine before dawn.  One should take food only one time during the day.  At whatever time the patient arrives, one must be prepared.  And one has to keep vigil with the patient.”

Snakebite need not be fatal always, she says.  “Of the 4 teeth, the first 2 are not dangerous.  While bite with te 3rd should be treated, bite with the 4th will bring dishonour to the doctor, says the ancient texts.  For the patient is sure to die.”

The 1st step in the treatment is to lower the body temperature.  Next comes application of herbal medicines.

Whatever the difficulty, Omana does not accept remuneration from the patients.  Occasional visits by cured patients are the biggest reward, she says.

Omana with a patient.

 

Courtesy: Pushpa.M, Vanitha, February 1-14, 2001

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