Jigme Gyamtso the Llama �
the doctor of Tibetan medicine and astrology

Medical activity and her types

The general and separate methods of treatment, treatment of illnesses of three dosha, treatment of internal illnesses, illnesses of hollow and dense organs, poisonings, treatment of barreness, examination of pulse and urine, bloodletting, cauterization.
For the greater efficiency of treatment it is necessary to follow some rules as to the doctor, and the patient.
Any practicing doctor should possess such qualities as mind, clean soul, fidelity to vows, skills and abilities, diligence and wisdom. The word "mind" means the doctor whose knowledge has three properties - breadth, reliability and accuracy. These properties are characterized, in turn, by the following merits:
1) the breadth is an extensiveness of knowledge, that is full knowledge of all ten sciences: astrology, a Sanskrit, poetry, secret designations, time of sunset and sunrise, a solstice and date of an eclipse, a calligraphy, craft services (drawing, architecture, pharmaceutics, etc.), logic, Buddhist philosophy, psychology and medicine, including all its disciplines and methods of treatment; 
2) strength, reliability is a firmness and fearlessness of the doctor which is not lost in any situation, and also equally treats all patients, irrespective of their social status, well-being and family ties;
3) accuracy is an instant analysis and determination of symptoms of disease of the patient right after preliminary conversation with him and visual examination.
The doctor with clean soul should possess love and wit. Such doctor does not feel disgust or hatred, does not remember evil. The doctor necessarily should strive constantly for realization of for the deeds blessing of others, having left cares of personal happiness.
The doctor possessing such merits can treat any diseases and begin the savior of many lives. Vows which he should give, are those: directing mind - 6 vows, about keeping - 2 and about knowledge 3 vows. The doctor should constantly adhere to these 11 vows.
Now we shall talk about the first 6 vows directing mind:
1) About the teacher is an oath to perceive the teachers as true Buddhas (deities);
2) The words of the teacher is a perception words of the teacher (his explanations, etc.) as the words true Buddha;
3) Treatises on medicine is an oath to adhere to all medical rules of behavior and knowledge of all the texts by heart;
4) Brothers (on study) this is a perception of the fellow students as native brothers and good relation to them;
5) Patient this is a perception of the seriously ill patient as your only child;
6) Blood and pus is a perception of yourself as the pig eating dross, before the patient who bleeds and pus, distributes a bad smell. That is the true Tibetan doctor should not be fastidious. 
Such are six vows of the doctor, directing mind and correcting behavior. 
Now I shall tell about two vows of keeping. The first vow demands to perceive the doctor as the deity - defender. According to the second vow all medical institutes should be perceived as attributes of deities. 
And, at last, about three vows of knowledge. The first vow means, that it is necessary to treat a medicine as an invaluable jewelry, fulfilling wishes. The second vow demands treating medicines as divine nectar curing illnesses. Thirdly, it is necessary to medicine as the present to all defenders and deities of doctoring. 
Of these three vows follows that first it is necessary to find required medicinal components itself, then to prepare from them a medicine, and then to bless, having read prays.
So it is possible to explain very briefly behavior of the doctor, and the rules of behavior of the patient further aspiring to recovery will be stated.
Before going to the doctor, he should prepare carefully for this to enable the doctor as quickly as possible to give the exact diagnosis. First, the patient in no event cannot take alcoholic drinks during three days before his visit to the doctor. Second, the patient should not eat heavy, rancid and salty food, eggs, garlic and meat, at least two days before visiting the doctor, and also avoid intimacy during a day.
After the doctor has established the diagnosis, it is necessary for the patient to adhere to all doctor's instructions concerning a diet and way of behavior during all course of treatment. Such are the rules which the patient should adhere in brief.