A book for midwives 2013 choosing the best treatment 17 we need to get her to the hospital right now! There they can put their hand in the womb to remove the placenta and cause the bleeding to stop. It’s very dangerous. That’s why it’s better to do it in a hospital. I’m gonna have to put my hand in to get the placenta out. Isn’t that dangerous?

Yes, very dangerous! But the rain took the road and there’s no way to get help before she bled to death. Types of medicine around the world, people use different healing methods: traditional medicine (home remedies): these healing methods have been going from old healers to young people for many generations. These methods use massage, medicinal plants and communication with the spiritual world. Traditional medicines, and especially home remedies, can be very effective.

Western medicines often work better and faster

They are often the easiest, cheapest, and least dangerous treatments for most health problems. And when the money runs out, or when the outside organizations go, plants, massage techniques and other traditional remedies will remain. Many traditional medicines have been researched using scientific methods. Research has shown that some traditional medicines serve well and others do not, or only serve because people have a lot of faith in them.

Some traditional medicines are harmful or dangerous. Western medicine: this healing system uses scientific research, factory medicines and surgery to treat health problems.  Other systems of medicine, such as acupuncture, ayurveda or homeopathy: several of these healing systems have been used for thousands of years, are taught in books and schools, and have been researched using scientific methods. Many of them also use medicinal plants. A person can use several of the healing methods.

There is not enough space in this book to describe in detail each healing system. What is important to remember is that every type of healing has benefits and all remedies should be used with care. Why can’t you do it? A book for midwives 2013 18 Chapter 2: treating health problems western medicine when used correctly, Western medicine can save lives. And Western medicine is usually the best treatment for emergencies. For example, when a woman is bleeding heavily after giving birth, there may be medicinal plants in her area that can decrease bleeding.

Using a medicine that is not needed or using it

But Western medicines often work better and faster: it is safer to save the life of a woman who is bleeding. Use Western medicines correctly most Western medicines have been carefully researched using scientific methods. Western medicine generally serves very well to treat problems. But Western remedies are often expensive, have side effects and, in many cases, are not necessary.

Most basic health problems can be treated equally well with home or traditional remedies, or just waiting for them to heal. Using a medicine that is not needed or using it in too large a quantity, can cause serious health problems. For example, some people believe that when they are sick, they can only be cured with an injection. But, generally, those people would get better without doing anything. In addition, in many cases, unnecessary injections have resulted in abscesses or transmitted diseases (such as HIV) because they were put on needles that were not sterilized.

So, while medicines can save lives, they need to be used correctly. Western medicine in this book this book, more than anything, teaches how to use Western healing methods.

This is mainly due to this reason: Western medicines are available in almost all parts of the world. We do not know enough, nor do we have enough space, to explain how the millions of traditional plants and healing methods used in the world are used. Therefore, please note the traditional methods you use on page 498. Also, if you translate or adapt this book, Be sure to include the healing methods used in your region. It is very important to teach these methods to other people so that the methods are not forgotten! Don’t you think he needs an injection? No. He just has cold.

Let him rest and give him good to eat and plenty to drink. Strong medicine won’t do you any good. In fact, it could hurt him. Take time to explain why medicines are not needed. A book for midwives 2013 choosing the best treatment 19 choosing a medicine that serves and is not dangerous before giving a medicine (whether traditional or western), you must be sure that it serves and does no harm. To know if that’s true, think about these questions (and ask others): what is it used for?  What happens when it is used?  How often does it serve to improve a problem?

Some healers take advantage of the respect people

Does it cause side effects or other problems? If so, which ones? When you are trying a treatment for the first time, use it alone—do not mix it with any other remedy. That way, you’ll know if it works and if it causes problems. For more information on how to use medicines safely, see page 463. Medicine and greed unfortunately, what motivates some healers and health workers is greed.

In order to earn money, they may recommend a treatment that is not necessary, that does not work or that is even dangerous. Some healers take advantage of the respect people have to sell them elixirs and medicines that don’t really make a profit. Some companies that manufacture and sell medicines also use their reputation to fool people.

When pharmaceutical companies act like this, they can endanger entire communities. For example, an American pharmaceutical company called Eli Lilly used to make a medicine called diethylstilbestrol (DES). The DES was supposed to prevent losses, but it was not true. DES caused birth defects and cancer in the daughters and Sons of women who took it when they were pregnant. Eli Lilly knew it was possible that the medicine caused these problems, but still, he kept selling it. And even after the medicine was banned in the United States, it continued to be sold in other countries. I make tea with this plant. It’s always been good for me when childbirth is very slow.