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Welcome
to the Study of
Hindu Religion
History
of Medicine in Ancient India
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Ayurveda
- The Science of Life
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In the
Beginning
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The earliest
records of medical practice in the world began about 600 B.C., with
the Sanskrit Treatise of Sages
Atreya and Susruta.
But the beginnings of medicine in India, as in Greece, is found in
mythology. According to this realm, medicine and surgery were gifts
from the god Indra to Sages Bharadwaja, the patron saint of medicine,
and Dhanvantari, the patron saint of surgery. These two scholars passed
on their knowledge to two worthy men, Atreya and Susruta.
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Pioneers
of
Medical
Education
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This system
was called Ayurveda -[[life -- knowledge combined state of body, senses,
mind and soul]. Ayur
Veda
considered ill health emerging from external [toxins and pathogens],
and derangement of body [metabolic, immune response or host resistance].
Ayurveda developed from Atharva Veda which dealt mostly inscience.
Sage Dhanvatari renounced his royal status as Prince of Kasi [Varanasi]
and retired into forest where he dictated his Ayur Veda
to Susruta.
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Located on
the present Jhelum River, Takshasila [Taxila] was the second ancient
school of medicine. Sage Atreya, who is believed to have imbibed
the Ayur Veda [science of life] directly from Sage Bharadwaja,
headed the medical school in Taxila. His treatise on medicine is contained
in 46,500 verses.
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When Emperor
Alexander invaded India in 327 B.C., physicians and surgeons in India
were well respected for their knowledge and skill. Some writers say
that Aristotle was inspired by Eastern knowledge.
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Sage
Atreya & Sage Susruta -- @600 B.C.
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performed
plastic surgery
- Ear lobe reconstuction
and
wrote a treatise on
reconstructive
Surgery
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Both
Sages Atreya and Susruta practiced around 600 B.C.,
nearly 150 years before Hippocrates. Buddhist folklore indicates the
existence of two great schools in India during Vedic period where
medicine, astronomy, mathematics and philosophy were taught. East
of the River Ganga was city Varanasi [Kasi] where Sage Susruta headed
the medical department. Having learned anatomy from Sage Atreya, Susruta
points out in his treatise, Susruta Samhita, the differences
between his techniques and Atreya's. The treatise on surgery indicates
that he was probably the first surgeon to perform a rhinoplasty and
ear lobe reconstruction.
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Advances
in Medical Education in Ancient India
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Another great
contributor to the ancient medical system was Sage Charaka, a philosophr,
Astronomer and physician in the second century B.C.. As the physician
of King Kanishka, Charaka edited and revised the Atreya Samhita. Charaka's
contributions, in 120 chapters, deals with the symptoms, diagnosis
and treatment of diseases of the heart, chest, abdomen, genital organs
and extremities. Charaka's wide range of knowledge was evident from
his instructions on building hospitals, maintaining hygenic atmosphere
for patients and in details like providing toys for children.
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A detailed
code of medical ethics was already well-evolved in India by 600 B.C.
In essence, the code required medical practitioners to lead a life
dedicated to caring for the sick and maintaining patient confidentiality.
Cultural conducts while treating patients were also presented in detail.
A physician who desires success in his practice, profit, a good name,
and finally, a place in heaven, must pray daily for all living creatures.
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