Nature Cure

Appedix B :
Report of the Uruli-Kanchan Clinic

[Extracts from letters written by Gandhiji during the years 1946 and 1947 to those in charge of the Uruli-Kanchan Clinic.]

The Centre was opened by Gandhiji on the 23rd March 1946. He himself could give his direct supervision for a week only. Later on this work was entrusted to me and other co-workers here. The number of patients which was daily increasing during Gandhiji's presence was much reduced after his departure. The real work of treating patients started from the second week of April and was going on throughout May and June. The number of patients became smaller and smaller after the rainy season had started, as the villagers were busy in their fields and there was some difficulty of communication too.
The total number of patients treated at the Centre was 567. Of these 23 were treated as indoor patients, on account of their serious condition. One delivery case of a woman was also successfully treated. Ten minor operations were performed. Other patients were treated as outdoor patients by giving them enema, bath, hip bath etc. and were asked to observe certain dietetic restrictions at home. Out of the above total number of patients about 300 might have taken full treatment till they were completely cured; others left the treatment, when they found that we gave no medicines, or put restriction on their diet.
The treatment includes plain water enema, hip bath, simple bath, cold or warm pack, mud pack along with regulation of diet. The latter includes lemon juice, honey, oranges and other acid fruits, soaked and germinated beans and nuts, salads, sweet fruits etc. Cooked food includes bhakri or chapati and vegetables without salt, chillies and spices, purnanna roti and khichadi are also used at times. Curds and buttermilk are freely used as one time meal when necessary.
The daily expenditure per patient on an average ranges from 8 annas minimum to 2 rupees maximum according to the circumstances and the financial condition of the patient.

In our future plan of hospital work we shall have to make some separate arrangements for a maternity home, and a small surgical theatre. Besides this, we shall also have to organize go-seva for supplying pure milk to the patients. For this we shall have to erect a cowshed in the near future for which we will have to undergo an expenditure of about Rs.5,000. I hope we shall get co-operation from the right sources at the right time.

(An abridgement of Report by Dr. Bhagwat for the period April to September, 1946).
Harijan, 15-12-'46