CHATI

Xavier saw advertised a Conference on Ethnoveterinary Practices  in the city of Thanjavur (formerly Tanjore) which is near to his native village.  As we have a cow, a calf and some poultry to care for we thought it would be useful to attend. We have just finished the second day`s programme.

Some exciting research into  the traditional healing and health care of animals is taking place in different parts of India. Thanjavur was the ideal place to hold such a meeting of scholars and traditional healers, as it is the seat of Tamil culture and houses a famous library of ancient texts, many based on the detailed instructions for living found in Hindu literature and oral history. This includes the herbs and minerals which are still being used now in some places.

We HAVE found out the answers to a few of our queries, and made more links with individuals and groups who are doing the same kind of work as CHATI. It is very encouraging.

Xavier and Justin have gone to the New Year service in a church 15 minutes away by two-wheeler (motor-bike). I am tentatively using the SHATI computer which has now, after 3 years of trying, been connected to the internet. 

I am also shooing the very free-range poultry away from the paddy crop which I can see nearby. From here can also be seen the newly prepared and planted beds of onions. The sets are already showing green tips above the soil.

The vegetable beds are marked out with lines of permanant tree plantings, including mango, custard apple, guava, drumstick, pomegranate and several species used in herbal and Siddha medicine. The papaya (papaw) trees have not been a success.Perhaps when there is more established shade and the soil fertility is enhanced we can try again.

 Happy New Year

A young girl was brought to SHATI farm yesterday suffering from the agonizing pain of a scorpion bite on her right big toe.  Her helpers had placed the flat side of a razor blade to the wound, held in place with a torn piece of rag. This it seems is the local selfhelp first aid action, together with the eating of an onion.

The blade was removed and Xavier questioned her about the pain, which extended up to just  below her knee, causing her to cry out when touched. A piece of charcoal made from animal bone was then placed on the bite area , instead of the blade, and this appears to draw the poison back to the original entrance point and out.

She was also given a teaspoon of a powder made from a plant whose name in Tamil is SIRIAYANANGAI,  taken in a tumbler of water. This medicinal herb has been planted on our land and Xavier usually has some of it dried and powdered ready for such an emergenccy. This year though he has already treated over 16 people so had bought in a commercially produced packet from a herbal supplier in a city to replace our stock.

Fifteen minutes after starting the powder and charcoal treatments the area of pain had had reduced to just above the ankle. The girl stayed at SHATI resting  for about 2 hours, at one time  appearing to have a high temperature and shivering. At this point I went to pick some of our organic cotton bolls so did not see her when she set off back to her village.Xavier reported that the pain had practically gone by then, instead of the long drawn out suffering which usually lasts up to eight or more hours.