Abstract:
Introduction: Siddha Medicine is a system of traditional medicine originating in ancient Tamil
Nadu in South India and Sri Lanka. Traditionally, it is taught that the siddhas laid the foundation for
this system of medicine. Siddha system has a unique diagnostic method to identify the diseases
and their causes. Manikkadai Nool is one of the diagnostic tool. It is explained in the Agasthiyar
Soodamani Kajiru Soothiram by Saint Veadammamuni in Pathinen Siddhar Naadi Nool.
Aim: The primary aim of this study was to validate the Siddha diagnostic procedure of Manikkadai
nool for gunmam patients.
Study Setting: Government Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai from April to August 2019.
Methodology: It is an observational study. After identifying the eligible subjects, Data will be
collected by using the interview administrated questionnaire & relevant data will be collected by measurement. Collected data were processed and statistically analysed by a simple statistical
method using Microsoft Excel.
Results and Discussion: Gunmam symptoms are included in 10, 9 ½, 8 ¾, 8, 7 ½, 7, 6 ½ & 6 ¼
Manikkadai measurements according to the siddha literatures. Researcher has been divided the
gunmam conditions as mild moderate and severe condition according to the evidence of
literatures, Researcher has been included Premonitory symptoms as Mild Condition, Common
signs and symptoms as Moderate Condition and complications as Severe condition. Mild condition
is in 10-9 fbs Manikkadai measurements. Moderate condition is in 8 ¾-7 ¾ fbs Manikkadai
measurements. Severe condition is in 7 ½-6 ½ > Manikkadai measurements. 55% (11) of right
hand Manikkadai measurements in male and 53% (16) of Right hand Manikkadai measurements in
female have been correlated with the siddha literatures in the diagnosis of gunmam. Pearson
correlation value implies that negative correlation between the chronicity of gunmam and
Manikkadai measurement. This data showed the negative relationship between the severity of
gunmam, & manikkadai measurements.
Conclusion: Majority of the gunmam subjects were females (60%). The maximum number of
subjects was observed in Pitha Kaalam. Majority of the gunmam subjects had vali azhal naadi
(38%) and azhal vali naadi (32%). Nei kuri was observed as vali azhal & azhal vali in gunmam
subjects. Siddha Physicians could be diagnosed the gunmam fifty percentage with the help of
Manikkadai measurements. Pearson correlation value implies that negative correlation between
the chronicity of gunmam and Manikkadai measurement. This data showed the negative
relationship between the severity of gunmam & manikkadai measurements. Out of 50 gunmam
subjects, 45 were in the assumed assessment criteria range. So further study is essential to
validate this assumed assessment of criteria of manikkadai measurement in diagnosis of gunmam.