The Concept of Birth Control in Unani Medicine (An Old and Rare Book)

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In view of the Government of India's firm commitment to halt the alarming population explosion in a country of around 85 crores of population, the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, apart from its regular pro- grammes of Clinical Research, Drug Standardisation, Liter- ary Research and Survey, Collection and Cultivation of Unani Medicinal Plants, is also focussing due attention to Family Planning Programmes. The Council has taken up clinical screening of Unani oral contraceptive agents free from side effects with a view to find out a potent and economically cheap oral contraceptive agent. This work is being carried out at two Centres at Hyderabad and Bombay.

This compilation on The Concept of Birth Control in Unani Medicine' compiled by the founder Director of the Council, Late Hakim Mohammed Abdur Razzack gives very useful information on the subject of Family Planning as enunciated in classics of Unani System of Medicine. Hakim (Mrs.) Ummul Fazal, Deputy Director of the Council has been actively associated with this work and is co-author.

The present compilation will further help studying and programming family welfare activities through practitioners of Unani Medicine because the information available in this book is based on important classical literature of Unani System of Medicine. This will help Unani practitioners and researchers in contributing their mite effectively in the family welfare programme.

There has been again, in recent years, a resurgence of interest and enhanced research on plants which may affect biological processes and could be developed as pharmacol. ogical agents. This increased interest is seen in the western countries as also in the third world. Some of the reasons for such interest is the realization that the older systems of medicine such as Unani Medicine have much to offer at a time when new discoveries of drugs from synthetic com- pounds are few.

In this encouraging scenario a depressing fact is that not much headway has been made in the development of contraceptive drugs from our heritage of traditional systems of medicine. A herbal, orally effective contraceptive or very early abortifacient drug, which could be self administered, if discovered, would lead to a major advance in contraceptive technology. It is hoped that this renewed interest in herbal medicines complemented by major advances in the technol- ogy of plants identification, separation and standardization would focus in the field of contraception where the need is greatest.

This book compiled by Hakim Mohammed Abdur Razzack (late) and Hakim (Mrs.) Ummul Fazal is a monu- mental effort bringing before us all that has been written and known in the Unani system of medicine about contraceptive agents. Without this background information which has been supplemented by details of every plant mentioned, one would not be able to go forward. The painstaking and arduous work which has gone into the production of this valuable document would, it is hoped, be rewarded by researchers and clinical investigators selecting, from this abundance and wealth of information, a few interesting heads and following them up. Faith in the scientists of the country and manifestation of such faith by provision of long term relatively generous support will pay dividends. There can unfortunately, be no short cut in drug development.

Hakim Mohammed Abdur Razzack (late) and Hakim (Mrs.) Ummul Fazal deserve the gratitude of scientists of all systems of medicine for this wealth of information and the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) is to be complimented for bringing out this publication.

A widely but erroneously held belief is that Unani Medicine is lacking in discussions on contraceptives, birth control etc. However, the writings of many Unani physicians show the keen interest and knowledge they had in beliefs and practices concerning birth control, pregnancy, delivery etc. Thus the view that Unani Medical literature does not provide sufficient knowledge on such topics can be proved baseless in the light of undeniable evidence.

In this book an attempt has been made to trace and explain the origin of the use of birth control measures in Unani Medical Literature; thus dispelling this belief. The study is supported by historical records, medical treatises and clinical observations of Unani physicians.

However, at the very outset, it may be made clear that one hardly comes across the concept of birth control in ancient medical literature as is prevalent today, for neither the Greek nor the Muslim society approved of family plan- ning. The Hippocratic Oath also was a causative factor in this attitude. Birth control and contraceptive devices, therefore, were permissible only when there was danger to a woman's life or health. Otherwise, intentional use of these devices was prohibited. The factors responsible for this attitude were, slow advancement of culture, frequent epidemics, lack of hygiene, high death rate and low birth rate, etc. so, there was hardly any room for birth control in those days. On the contrary, physicians dedicated themselves to find out causes and remedies for sterility, and their conclusions are still recognised.

**Contents and Sample Pages**