Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Monkeypox a global health emergency. The disease, which was first transmitted to humans in 1970 in the Republic of Congo, has been detected in Indonesia, and as of August 17, 2024, there were 88 confirmed cases (Rokom, 2024). This incident reminds us of the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the world in 2020.
The history of disease outbreaks is not new. The Asian Flu (1957-1958), Spanish Flu (1918-1920), and The Black Death (1346-1353) (Kautsar, 2024), are just some examples of major outbreaks that have hit the world. In addition to major epidemics, various small endemics also often occur in certain regions.
Various disease outbreaks have been recorded in manuscripts and written records. Taruna Dharma Jati, Muhammad Ibu Prarista, Zalsabila Purnama, & Zakariya Pamuji Aminullah (2022) in a scientific article entitled Lawe Wĕnang Singid: The Red Thread of Pagĕblug Handling Continuity in the Perspective of Javanese Literature explains that Javanese written literature has contained information in the form of traces and handling of physical and cosmological plagues in Javanese oral and written literature.
Some manuscripts that contain information on the physical treatment of disease outbreaks include Naskah Ngelmu Kawarasan by Sardjita (1920), Naskah Lĕlĕmbut Kolerah by Samsimihardja (1914), and Naskah Lĕlara Gudhig by Sardjita (1921). These texts provide guidance on the prevention and treatment of various diseases that once plagued society in their day.
1. Manuscript of Ngelmu Kawarasan
The Ngelmu Kawarasan manuscript contains knowledge about diseases such as malaria, smallpox, bubonic plague, and tuberculosis. One part of the manuscript explains how to deal with bubonic plague:
[…] Rekadaya kangge nanggulangi pes, botĕn wontĕn malih kajawi tikus-tikus punika kĕdah dipuntumpĕs. Griya-griya ingkang kĕrĕp dipunrĕsiki. Sarta sampun nyimpĕni sisa tedha
“There is nothing more effective against bubonic plague than culling rats, cleaning houses frequently, and not storing leftover food.”
This guide shows the importance of environmental hygiene as a preventive measure against infectious diseases such as bubonic plague, which is transmitted by rats.
2. Manuscript of Lĕlĕmbut Kolerah
The Lĕlĕmbut Kolerah manuscript focuses on ways to avoid cholera. Here is one of the contents of the manuscript:
[…] Prentah nagara dikon ngombe banyu bening wedang ora kĕna mamangan kang ora matĕng, ora kalawan diratĕngi adus ing bangawan.
“The state commandment says to drink boiled water, not to eat raw food, and to bathe frequently in the river.”
Here, there is an emphasis on drinking boiled water and personal hygiene as preventive measures.
3. Manuscript of Lĕlara Gudhig
The Lĕlara Gudhig manuscript explains how to prevent and cure gudik (gudhig), a contagious skin disease. One of the quotes from this manuscript states:
[…] Supaya wong sing wis waras iku ora kumat maneh. Yen panyegahe lalara gudhig iku arĕp ditindakake supaya wong-wong bumi liya-liyane padha bisa milu. Dheweke kudu dipĕrdi rĕsikan, yaiku: ngrĕksa rĕsiking kulite ing panggonan-panggonan sing pĕrlu. Sedhiyan banyu adus kudu dibecikake. Sarta kudu ambudidaya supaya rĕgane sabun dimurah bangĕt, nganti wong miskin padha kelar sabunan. Wong-wong mau ditĕrangake sing tĕmĕnan, yen ora mung awake bae sing mesthi rĕsikan nanging sandhangan lan paturone uga mangkonoa. […]
“So that people who are already healthy from scabies do not relapse, prevention of scabies should be carried out so that people in other areas can follow each other. They should be accustomed to clean living, keeping their skin and other places clean. Good water should be provided for bathing, and efforts should be made to reduce the price of soap so that the poor can use it. These people are to be explained seriously, that not only the self must be clean but also the clothes and bedding as well. […]”
This message highlights the importance of personal hygiene with access to hygiene tools, such as soap, as well as ensuring that clothes and bedding are clean, to prevent skin diseases.
The above are just a few of the various explanations of plague prevention in Javanese literature. Although it can be said to be old stuff, the principles contained are still relevant today, especially in the context of preventing disease outbreaks that are transmitted through unsanitary environments.
Further exploration of ancient Javanese manuscripts is an important step to broaden our horizons on the history of health and medicine in Indonesia. Collaboration between academics, philologists, and health practitioners can help develop the knowledge recorded in these manuscripts, so that it can benefit the wider community.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bestari, N.P. (2022, July 24). ). Sejarah Perjalanan Cacar Monyet dari Afrika sampai Mendunia. Cnbcindonesia.com. Accessed from https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20220724153248-4-358100/sejarah-perjalanan-cacar-monyet-dari-afrika-sampai-mendunia.
Jati, T.D., Prarista, M.I., Purnama, Z. & Aminullah, Z.P. (2022). Lawe Wĕnang Singid: Benang Merah Kontinuitas Penanganan Pagĕblug dalam Perspektif Kesusastraan Jawa. Jumantara: Jurnal Manuskrip Nusantara, 13(01), 95-112, from https://doi.org/10.37014/jumantara.v13i1.2847.
Rokom. (2024, August 18). 88 88 Kasus Konfirmasi Mpox di Indonesia, Seksual Sesama Jenis jadi Salah Satu Penyebab. Sehatnegeriku.kemkes.go.id., Accessed from https://sehatnegeriku.kemkes.go.id/baca/rilis-media/20240818/1546252/88-kasus-konfirmasi-mpox-di-indonesia-seksual-sesama-jenis-jadi-salah-satu-penyebab/.
LIST OF IMAGES
Cebu.fkkmk.ugm.ac.id. (2020, August 19). ). CE&BU Bersama PKMK dan Cochrane Indonesia Menyelenggarakan Webinar Mengenai Bukti Ilmiah tentang Penanganan Wabah Pandemik COVID-19. Retrieved from https://cebu.fkkmk.ugm.ac.id/2020/08/19/cebu-bersama-pkmk-dan-cochrane-indonesia-menyelenggarakan-webinar-mengenai-bukti-ilmiah-tentang-penanganan-wabah-pandemik-covid-19/
Author : Haryo Untoro
Editor : FIB Public Relation Team
