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: Jon Bugge & Suy Se, Picture by : Sem Vannjohn. |
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Whilst attempting
to utilize the naturally occurring medicines within
the country, once in a while more proactive measures
are needed. These take the form of a variety of
medical techniques from the sublime to the ridiculous.
The human body is a careful balance between hot
and cold. This system is akin to the medieval concept
of humors that affected the health of the body and
could be increased or removed accordingly. This
hot and cold duality is omnipresent throughout the
universe but is only obvious to humans when it affects
them and their bodies. When someone is ill, one
of these factors increases. This is the reason why
when asked what is wrong many Khmers will simply
say they are hot or cold inside.
Foodstuffs are a simple remedy for the imbalance
- for example coconut juice will remove excess heat
from the body. In more serious cases herb lore will
be consulted and if this does not work then a final
resort will be to turn to Western style medicine.
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A coin stick commonly
used by the locals for coining (dermal treatment)
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A patient’s arm being cupped,
producing a lump of red raw mark to release choked
heat from the patient’s body.
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Within the
realm of Cambodian medicinal treatments comes an
interesting genre: that of dermal techniques. As
the name suggests these focus on the skin and it's
role in the health of the body. The skin is actually
the largest human organ and as such plays a crucial
role in our health. By manipulating the skin one
can diagnose an illness and even cure it. These
techniques are used to relieve headaches, muscle
pains, colds, sore throat, coughs, diarrhea or fever.
These techniques include cupping, also known as
moxibustion. The air is removed from a round glass
cup using a flame or a suction pump. This is then
applied to the patient’s skin in various patterns
over the body. They are left on the skin for a few
minutes. The blood is sucked to the surface and
a skilled practitioner can tell from the speed,
color and permanence of these markings, the direct
nature of the illness suffered. It is a seemingly
more civilized version of the barbaric blood letting
of the Victorian era in the West. Treatment can
also involve further cupping sessions to remove
what are seen as poisons from the blood and allowing
them to be vented harmlessly into the glass vessels.
Another dermal technique is called coining. Not
surprisingly this involves vigorous rubbing of a
coin across the body. This may seem strange in a
country that no longer has coinage, but the |
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tradition lives
on. Normally the coin, if it is that at all (it can simply
be a circle of metal), is held in a forked piece of wood.
This rubbing as with the cupping produces red raw marks
that can be interpreted. Similar in concept of bringing
sick blood to the surface of the skin to ensure that the
illness leaves. It is not uncommon to see people with
what look like horrific welts across their bodies, shocking,
as it appears, they are simply undergoing medical treatment.
Superstition provides a failsafe alternative to contemporary
medical knowledge, and Cambodia is no exception. Some
illness is the result of magic and spells cast by people.
Whilst some are malicious in intent, others can arise
from forgetting to perform any of the plethora of rituals
involved in placating the spirits in everyday Khmer life.
"No way can we treat illnesses brought about through
magic." said Ly Bunarith, a traditional healer. He
spoke not only of the physical symptoms but the invisible
psychological effects. To know that someone has cast magic
upon you is something that even Western medicine will
be hard pushed to alleviate. A monk is probably the best
person to consult under such circumstances. |
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Suite
B8, Regency Square, InterContinental Hotel, 294 Mao Tse Toung
Boulevard,
Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia.
Tel: (855) 23 213 133 Fax: (855) 23 213 033
E-mail:
editor@leisurecambodia.com |
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