Introduction
Medicine through ages has witnessed a remarkable evolution, from ancient healing practices rooted in spirituality to modern evidence-based medicine. Each era has contributed to advancements in medical knowledge, technology, and patient care, shaping the course of human health.
Historical Perspective
- The Atharva Veda, dating back to ancient times, mentioned diseases, cures, and medicines for the first time.
- During the Vedic times, the Ashwini Kumars were medicine practitioners and were given divine status. Dhanvantari was the god of medicine.
- In 800 BC, Atreya and Agnivesa dealt with Ayurvedic principles.
- Around 600 BC, Takshila and Taranasi emerged as centres of medicine and learning.
- Two significant texts in this field were Charaksamhita by Charak and Sushrutsamhita by Sushruta.
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- Charaka, the father of medicine, consolidated Ayurveda 2500 years ago.
- Charak Samhita provides in detail the use of plants and herbs for medicinal purposes.
- The book contains an extensive note on digestion, metabolism, and the immune system, with more emphasis on prevention than cure.
- The book also mentioned Genetics.
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- Sushruta Samhita deals with practical problems of Surgery and Obstetrics.
- Surgery was mentioned as a distinct stream around the fourth century AD, with Sushruta pioneering this discipline.
- Sushruta regarded surgery as the highest division of the healing arts and described 121 surgical instruments, along with methods for operations, bone setting, and cataract surgery.
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- The Greeks were influenced by Indian medicines during the Indo-Greek rule in India in 180 BC-10 AD.
- Surgery in India suffered setbacks in the early medieval times as the act of dissecting with a razor became the work of a barber.
- Some of the developments during this time are:
- The Unani medicine system came to India along with the Muslims around the eleventh century.
- The Unani Tibb is an important system of medicine which flourished in India.
- Pulse and urine examinations were conducted for diagnostic purposes.
- The Sarangdhara Samhita recommended the use of opium for medicines.
- The Rasachikitsa system dealt principally with a host of mineral medicines, including metallic preparations for curing diseases.
- The Tuhfat-ul-Muminin was a Persian treatise written by Muhammad Munin in the seventeenth century which discusses physicians’ opinions.
- Ali-bin-Rabban summarized the whole system of Greek medicine as well as the Indian medical knowledge in the book Firdausu-Hikmat.
- Hakim Diya Muhammad compiled a book, Majinye Diyae, incorporating Arabic, Persian and Ayurvedic medical knowledge.
- The Tibbi Aurangzebi, dedicated to Aurangzeb, is based on Ayurvedic sources.
- The Musalajati-Darashikohi of Nuruddin Muhammad, dedicated to Darashikoh deals with Greek medicine.
- Siddha, a regional Ayurvedic variant, originated in Indian Tamil culture. It emphasizes use of metals, minerals, and chemicals.
- A branch of Siddha medicine dealing with traumatology and injuries is called Varmam.
- Alchemy has its origins in the Siddha system.
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Conclusion
- The journey of medicine through ages epitomizes humanity’s quest for healing and well-being.
- From herbal remedies and traditional therapies to cutting-edge medical technologies and pharmaceutical innovations, our understanding of health and disease has progressed, improving longevity and quality of life for countless individuals across generations.
April 15, 2024
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