ICPC-2 and traditional medicine
Paper and classification as received by the author
Published on the net, Feb. 2002
J. Stephen
Cridland, Department of Pharmacology,
Fac. of Health Sciences, Room K 50.21 (OMB)
University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital,
Observatory, South Africa, 7925
tel: +27-21-404-5087 or
+27-21-406-6293
fax:+27-21-448-1989
email: scridlan@uctgsh1.uct.ac.za
citation:
Cridland JS,.Koonin
S. Use of traditional medicines--towards a classification. S.Afr.Med J
2001;91:489-91.
ABSTRACT
A novel classification of the indications for using
traditional medicines is proposed, for use by physicians and other healers
practising in all cultures. The basis
is the WHO-recognised ICPC-2 system for classifying the reasons for encounter
of patients with general practitioners.
KEYWORDS
traditional medicine, database, classification, ICPC-2,
1. Extract
from Alphabetical list of reasons to approach a traditional healer.
-------------------------------------------------------------
(NB. This is not the authoritative classification; results
of a search must be
checked.
To search for particular conditions, do a string search for the
first 3 letters of your
keyword, e.g. "* abd" for "abdominal".
Note that the order within the chosen 3-letter group is not
strictly alphabetical
because it it is usually more helpful to
retain the class
structure by organ & by symptom-before-disease
within each group.)
In general, for charms see condition that they should prevent.
The organ systems (mnemonics in brackets) are:
A = "general"(All);
B = "blood";
D = "digestive";
F = "eye"(Focus);
H = "ear"(Hearing);
K = "circulatory" (Kardiac);
L = "muscoloskeletal"(Limbs);
N = "neurological";
P = "psychological";
R = "respiratory";
S = "skin" (Surface);
T = "endocrine & metabolic" (Thyroid);
U = "urology";
W = "pregnancy & family planning (Womb);
X = "female genital system" (X-chromosome);
Y = "male genital system" (Y-chromosome);
Z = "magicosocial" (ZoZiety; this has been modified from
ICPC-2).
NOTES:
1) The following assignments are made to satisfy
what the
"indications" appear to mean in the corresponding
source document.
2) Organ system A ("general") ONLY holds conditions that
a) affect more than one
organ system, &/or
b) are not described as
being localised in one organ
system.
3) Organ system Z ("magicosocial") holds conditions that
are
magicosociological
disorders; apparently physical disorders,
regardless of their
cause, fall under sections A-Y. This is
for convenience' sake
& implies nothing for or against the
traditional healing
system being classified.
4) The general rule followed by ICPC-2 is that symptoms,
symptom clusters, fears
& other conditions observed &
suffered but not firmly
diagnosed fall into the number
range 01-29 whereas
diseases that are diagnosed
(EVEN IF they are not
specified) are numbered from 70-99.
Thus: fever = A03 but
yellow fever = A77;
feeling ill = A05 but
illness (unspecified) = A99.
5) Some conditions (generally containing the word "need")
have been modified from
normal ICPC-2 style to accomodate
the limited options of
List B.
6) "ns" means unspecified; the condition is not further
defined. There are implications:
a) either the
corresponding traditional medicine is a
tonic/panacea for all
aspects of the general condition
listed;
b) or no specific
subclass of the general condition was
captured in the
source.
Classifications in ICPC2
that are described as "other" are
therefore taken to mean
"other & unspecified", as in L76.
7) "&" means "and/or", as relevant.
*************** abd ****************
A08 abdominal swelling
D01 abdomen, pain in
D01 abdominal pain & cramps, general
D02 abdominal pain, epigastric
D06 abdominal pain, other localised
D24 abdominal mass, other & ns
D25 abdominal distension
D29 addominal dropsy
D91 abdominal hernia, other
D91 abdominal rupture ns
W21 abdomen size of pregnant woman, need to increase
W29 abdominal pains during pregnancy
*************** abi ****************
A97 ability, hunting
*************** abn ****************
A08 abnormal growth (lump, mass)
A90 abnormalities, multiple syndromes &
congenital
A91 abnormal results of investigations
B79 abnormalities of blood system, congenital
B83 abnormal platelets etc.
B84 abnormal white cells, purpura, coagulation defects,
D81 abnormalities of gastrointestinal tract, congenital
F13 abnormal eye sensations
F14 abnormal eye movements
F15 abnormal appearance of eyes
F81 abnormalities of eye, other congenital
H80 abnormalities of ear, congenital
K05 abnormality e.g. irregular heartbeat & pulse, other cardiac
L82 abnormality, congenital musculoskeletal
N08 abnormal involuntary movements
N85 abnormalities, congenital nervous
R25 abnormal sputum & phlegm
R89 abnormality, congenital respiratory
U85 abnormalities of urinary system, congenital
U98 abnormal urine test finding, other
W76 abnormalities of mother, congenital
X86 abnormal pap smear
Y84 abnormality of male genitals, other congenital
*************** abo ****************
A99 aborted, illness from sex with woman who has
D87 abortion, stomach problem from
W82 abortion ns
W82 abortion, spontaneous
W82 abortion, threatened
W82 abortion in livestock
W82 abortion, repeated
W83 abortion, induced
W83 abortion, intentional
W83 abortifacient, need to use
*************** abr ****************
F75 abrasions of eye, contusions & "black eye"
S17 abrasion, scratch & blister
*************** abs ****************
D95 abscess, anal fissure & perianal
R73 abscess & boil of nose
S10 abscess ns
W94 abscess of breast
X05 absent & scanty menstruation
*************** abu ****************
P15 abuse, chronic alcohol
P15 abuse of alcohol ns (more likely this than P16)
P16 abuse, acute alcohol
P17 abuse of tobacco & tabagism
P18 abuse of medicine
P19 abuse, drug
P19 abuse of stimulant
*************** aca ****************
S72 acariases, scabies and other
*************** acc ****************
A81 accident ns
Z10 access to health care & health care system
*************** ach ****************
D02 ache, stomach
*************** aci ****************
D03 acidity, gastric
*************** acn ****************
S05 acne? small boils on woman
S96 acne
*************** aco ****************
H85 acoustic trauma
*************** acq ****************
L85 acquired deformities of spine
L98 acquired deformities of limbs
*************** act ****************
P07 activity, reduced sexual
W78 activity, need to increase foetal
2. Extract from the traditional healing classification
tabular list
P01 FEELING ANXIOUS,
NERVOUS, TENSE
anxiety
exam nerves
mental exhaustion
nervousness
restlessness of
nervous baby
stress (chronic,
not P02)
unease in pregnant
woman
need for sedative
need to increase
courage
need to be strong
& brave
P02 ACUTE STRESS
REACTION
crying
grief
great sorrow
suffering from
bereavement
mourning
need for tonic for
mourners
P03 FEELING DEPRESSED
painful memories
need to suppress
painful memories
P04 FEELING &
BEHAVING IRRITABLE & ANGRY
need for
viciousness in dogs
need for ferocity
of dogs
excessive excitement
agitation
morbid restlesness
(adult)
Z25 ASSAULT &
HARMFUL EVENT
bewitchment
bewitchment with
pig's liver
damage from
malediction
desecration of
grave by witches
dupa spells
evil influence ns
harm from fighting
harm from troublesome spirits
harm from war
harm from
witchcraft
harm from witches'
familiars
makgoba
bewitchment
negative condition
ns
possession by
spirits
possession by bad
spirits
possession by evil
spirits
possession of
family member by evil spirits
psychic poisoning
spells ns
unfortunate event
ns
witch power needs
blunting
need for drops
against evil spirits
need for battle charm
need to counteract
ill effects of medicine
need to counteract
influence of sorcerer
need to dispel
effects of witchcraft
need to dispel
evil spirits
need to dispel
troublesome spirits
need to
dispel/expel utokoloshi
need to perform
sorcery rites
need to repel evil
spirits
need to return
witchcraft
need to ward off
witches
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