The Significance of Pharmacology in Medicine
Pharmacology holds a pivotal role
in the realm of medical treatment and therapeutic arts. Its importance cannot
be overstated, as without it, medicine would falter, rendering
it ineffective. Indeed, pharmacology stands as a cornerstone of this vast
edifice we call health care.
The history and inception of
medical treatment and therapy trace back to pharmacology. As civilizations
evolved and cultures progressed, the discipline of pharmacology, along with its allied branches of medicine and the healing arts, developed and flourished. It
appears that the status of pharmacology in the practice of medicine is akin to
the cornerstone of a building; without it, the structure cannot endure. It's
evident that the quest for excellence in medical treatment and therapeutic arts
necessitates a comprehensive understanding of pharmacological principles,
details, effects, and actions.
Pharmacology, with its history
spanning thousands of years, has expanded to such an extent that it can be
subdivided for ease of comprehension. Among the notable subdivisions are:
1. Pharmaceutical Knowledge:
Encompassing the identification, origin, and availability of drugs, including
their seasonal variations.
2. Preservation of
Pharmaceuticals: Techniques for extracting active ingredients, drying,
preservation, preparation of fresh drugs, and determining the duration of their
potency.
3. Pharmacological Principles:
Establishing the principles, laws, and terminologies governing the effects and
actions of drugs, as well as categorizing them.
4. Properties and Benefits:
Delving into the actual and chemical properties of drugs, particularly their
beneficial properties, qualities, and degrees, and identifying diseases for
which they are useful.
5. Drug Determination: Principles
for determining drugs suitable for specific conditions, diseases, and symptoms,
and prescribing appropriate doses.
6. Pharmaceutical Preparation:
Includes decoctions, syrups, powders, pills, infusions, electuaries, ointments,
pickles, oils, perfumes, essences, elixirs, and various chemical processes.
In the study of pharmacology, we
not only consider these branches but also aim to encompass the ancient pharmacology of traditional medicine while acknowledging the errors of
allopathy.
Pharmacological Fundamentals
General principles in
pharmacology hold immense importance in scientific inquiry. These principles
establish laws, rules, and guidelines that not only enrich our understanding
but also simplify the utilization and prescription of drugs. Understanding the
fundamentals of pharmacology, particularly the effects, qualities, and
compositions of drugs, lays the foundation for confidence in their efficacy and
benefits.
It's worth noting that the
nomenclature "medicine" and the title "physician" are
bestowed upon this discipline and its practitioners due to the profound
contemplation and reflection inherent in their practice. Those who believe that
merely writing prescriptions or administering medication without due
consideration are mistaken. The administration of medicine must account for
factors such as the patient's temperament, age, environment, season, and the
severity or mildness of the illness. Similarly, in the art of prescribing
medication, selecting one or more from thousands of drugs and determining their
proper dosage is a form of wisdom. True wisdom in medicine stems from a deep
understanding of pharmacological fundamentals.
Effects and Actions of Drugs
The Creator has bestowed upon
this world an abundance of substances whose varieties are beyond count.
Medicine has categorized these into three: inanimate, botanical, and animal.
While medicine has categorized them, it's challenging to limit their diversity.
However, through intellect and understanding, humans have developed
principles and laws that illuminate the vast array of substances and their
properties and benefits.
Sensations, Perceptions, and Reasoning
At first glance, these terms all
imply knowledge and understanding. However, in reality, they are connected not
only to the brain and nerves but also to the heart. Sensations and perceptions
are sources of knowledge that come through sight, sound, taste, smell, and
touch. What we know through our senses encompasses our emotions, though some
knowledge is gained through experience, observation, and reading, contributing
to our perceptions. Remember that divine inspiration, revelation, intuition,
and inspiration can never be acquired through sensations but are considered
perceptions.
The Reality of Perception
Perception yields knowledge
obtained through the senses within. It is often termed "inner speech"
or the "internal faculty." In essence, it is the refined soul within
a person, allowing discernment and understanding. Every person possesses
differing levels of intellect and knowledge. While some excel in rationality,
others in knowledge, and ideally, a balance of both is rare. However, it's
essential to emphasize that what is learned through perception cannot be felt
through sensations alone. Hence, true knowledge and wisdom lie in experience,
observation, and intellectual pursuit.
The Truth About Reasoning
Reasoning leads to knowledge
obtained through estimates or assumptions made in light of sensations and
perceptions. It's a form of knowledge that is speculative and relies on
inference. While it lacks precision, it aids in making comparisons between
things, resulting in equitable judgments. In fact, worldly governments base
their laws and judges base their judgments on reasoning. Similarly, in the
field of medicine, diagnoses, prescriptions, and the effects of drugs are
determined according to reasoning aligned with pharmacological findings.
Reasoning is essentially a type
of evidence that divides classifications and categories in logic, which is
beyond the scope of this discussion.
In conclusion, pharmacology is
not merely a science, but an art deeply entwined with the practice of medicine.
It serves as a beacon guiding medical practitioners in their quest for healing
and well-being. Its principles and practices illuminate the path to effective
treatment and contribute to the advancement of both medical knowledge and human
welfare.
