Cambodia mourns 'holy cow'

Hundreds of Cambodians on Thursday began a ceremony for the death of a "holy cow" whose spit could supposedly cure several illnesses, local officials said.

The mystical calf, which reportedly had unusual skin that looked like crocodile hide, was born on Tuesday and died earlier onThursday in northern Pursat province, village chief Sok Mim said.

He said around 100 villagers gathered at the house of the cow's owner for a three-day memorial ceremony.

"A lot of people have flocked to the ceremony. They offered money and lit incense sticks before the cow to pray for it to be reborn and live a longer life," said Sok Mim.

"The cow looked strange. Its legs have signs like carved arts, and its skin is like a crocodile's skin. Old people believe that the cow is holy," Sok Mim said.

"Some people used the spit from the cow's mouth to cure their toothache and other illness. They said they recovered from aches afterwards," Sok Mim added.

A local police official said villagers believed the cow had mystical powers because there had been a lot of rain in the drought-hit village after its birth.

Cambodians are highly superstitious, particularly in the countryside where people continue to meld animist practices with Buddhism.

Anonymous wrote:

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Wow these guys are risking getting tetanus.

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Well according to Professor J Shashidhar Prasad who is also a physics professor said that the uric acid in cow urine can also act as an electrolyte, so I assume even its saliva has the ability to cure certain disease. I can’t be that ignorant to dismiss its efficacy when use to heal their excruciating pain, but that is totally irrelevant to their superstitious belief to even call a “Holy Cow” When I first read it, I was laughing my ass off. Professor J Shashidhar Prasad further stated that people have forgotten how to respect cattle which is an inseparable part of our life and tradition.  There is a need to create awareness about this and I totally agree with him.

BLM

Anonymous wrote:

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I have no doubt about cow urine containing electrolytes, any urine has that component, even human urine. Why? because it our kidneys basic function to control our body's electrolytes. Electrolytes play a vital role in muscle contraction and nerve conduction. From the symptoms experienced by those 3 guys I bet drinking liters or cow urine would somehow correct their electrolyte imbalance. For example, low calcium can cause spasms and muscle cramps, low potasium can make muscles loose their tone and become paralysed (probabaly causing the loose bowel movement). But what I dont get is that they are trying to imply that urine can cure HIV. That is super duper extremely unbelievable. Besides people with HIV as long as they maintain good lifestyle may not manifest any symptom at all excpt for teh positive test result. Signs and symptoms will only start when the person is full blown AIDS in most cases. Lets wait until those 3 exceeds window period. I bet the parasites and organisms they got from drinking the urine will eventually result to systemic infection.

I believe this Professor J Shashidhar Prasad only want to earn some big bucks. He is taking advantage of the lack of education of those poor fellas.

 

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Actually, it was not Professor Prasad who advertised about cow urine would cure HIV, but it was Dr. Jane’s Cow Urine Therapy if you notice the title above where it said watch our special program online. I agree with you because I don’t think cow urine can treat HIV.

What Professor Prasad said about electrolysis is based on the experiment of making the clock works. Here is his whole statement:

BLM

 Two thin sheets (of copper and zinc) dipped in cow urine are connected to the clock with wires, which act as anode and cathode respectively. Due to electrolysis, the wires get charged, and help the clock to work...Krishnaraju has been demonstrating this simple 'physics' to the curious crowd at the Raitha Dasara, organised as part of the Dasara celebrations at Kuppanna Park, Mysore.Former vice-chancellor of University of Mysore, Prof J Shashidhar Prasad, who is also a physics professor, said that the uric acid in cow urine acts as an electrolyte, and powers the clock.

And here is the link to the article: http://forums.sulekha.com/forums/coffeehouse/Power-of-cow-urine-909485.htm