In the good older days every village had a doctor who was known as gaumcho voiz
and paid by the government. Other doctors charged a nominal fee of I think two
or three or may be five rupees. In case of cold and fever the medicine given
was a mixture and the prescription could be read only by someone in the
pharmacy. The medicine did not go well inside and lot of fuss had to be made
and lot of beatings would be given and a force had to be used. By the time the
bottle with paper markings got over the disease left your body and you are fine
and fit. Many of the old were recommended to put leaches, cut veins, (xiro
marop) ventos, sangri shake, etc. These doctors came on cycle, and sometimes
walking. Most of the doctors were from rich homes and the profession was more
of a hobby than money. Today aprofession has become a private limited factory.
In my neighbourhood there is an elderly lady in her late seventies. Her
daughter had come from australia and took her out for late night dinner,
weddings etc she had lot of cold beer and ice cream for many days at the end of
which she got some problems. A severe pain the abdomen. She was taken to the
doctor who checked her and sent her for a blood test. Hundred and one blood
tests were done, then ultra sound, ecg, chest and abodomen x ray and finally
the most difficult one was endoscopy. All tests were negative, bank balance was
minus and then the pain also dissappeared before the doctor's prescribed
medicine was given to her. How did she get well ? her neighbour came and gave a
peg of good caju feni for two days. all the cold dissappeared.
