The art of Bloodletting

-A presentation by Ursila Ali

The medical practice of Bloodletting is a 3000 year old technique which involves withdrawal of small quantities of ‘impure’ blood to retain balance in the human body. One of the oldest techniques in medicine, Bloodletting has been adopted by the Mesopotamians, Egyptians, and Greeks; it has even been mentioned in ancient Ayurvedic texts and Tibb-e-Nabavi (the complete Islamic code of medicine). Practiced widely until the 19th century, it suddenly became forgotten with the onset of advanced medicinal practices and use of credible scientific equipment. However, in India, there is still one clinic that employs this technique to cure its patients.

Rahat Open Surgery Clinic lies under the shadows of the 400 year old Jama Masjid. It stands in an open enclosure without any establishment except for a few benches and tables. Established in 1982, the clinic is a charitable practice run by Hakeem Gyas and his son, Iqbal, famous for using the ancient art of Fasad (Bloodletting).

Patients wait for their turn at the Open Clinic. Everyday more than 50 patients visit the clinic with ailments that range from pain in the joins, Paralysis, Sciatica to blood cancer and Polio. Most of the patients travel from different states in India for their treatment, some also come from countries like Japan, Switzerland and England.

Hakeem Gyas started the Practice in 1982, after training under Abdul Majid, a renowned Hakeem in Old Delhi. He believes that the technique of Fasad can cure any illness of the body( except that of the stomach). He doesn’t charge anyone as he considers this work ‘Sunnah’(practice based on the teaching of Prophet Muhammed P.B.U.H.) The practice is now run by his son Iqbal who has been his only student. He has never taught anyone else fearing that the technique might be misused and converted into a money making venture.

Patients wait for their turn at the Open Clinic. Everyday more than 50 patients visit the clinic with ailments that range from pain in the joins, Paralysis, Sciatica to blood cancer and Polio.

The procedure starts with the patient being tied with tight elastic bands. This is done to create a mild numbness in the area where the surgery would be conducted.

Hakeem Iqbal starts the procedure making swift incisions on the body with a razor blade. Iqbal is 40, but is already one of the most popular Hakeems in Old Delhi. He sits at the clinic for two hours everyday. And leaves at 12am to take care of his shop that sells schoolbags in Chandini Chowk

A nervous woman clutches onto her husband during the treatment.Many people are skeptical the first time. According to Haji Liaqat Ali of Kota, Rajasthan, a patient suffering from Sciatica, lack of sheltered area and unhygienic conditions, increase the risk of infection.

Used blades.To avoid infection Iqbal uses industry standard razors. Everyday more than 100 blades are used. Patients are then given a tetanus injection, administered by a doctor and advised to eat antibiotics.

Patients queue up after the surgery. Drying the blood in the sun for 20 minutes, as water is constantly poured on it to keep the wound clean.

Mohammed Gyas shows his thick book of contacts that range from media persons to doctors as well as politicians. Various journalists, photographers and documentary filmmakers have covered this unusual and rare form of surgery. In the month of July itself, Rahat Open Surgery featured in AlJazeera, Discovery Network and NDTV.

Faded pictures of Mohd. Gyas performing the surgery. Hakeem Iqbal has no children and does not plan on passing the knowledge of bloodletting to anyone. With him, this rare practice of medicine will too die out.

Who are we, What is our identityWho are we to manipulate situationsIf not for you blessings lordWe wont have a purpose as well.-Mohd. Gyas