Scientific advancement - Sanatana Dharma contd

The ancient system of medicine Ayurveda means life science. Charaka Samhita & Shushrutha Samhita list a number of diseases which are still prevalent in modern times; the samhitas list the treatment procedures for the diseases.  The Shushrutha Samhitha has details about surgical procedures and describes the various surgical tools to be used and the order in which they must be arranged in the operating room. Some of the common types of surgery documented in the Shushrutha Samhita are surgical removal of piles, kidney stone, tumors, c-sections, and rhinoplasty. The Shushrutha Samhita categorizes hemorrhoids into external hemorrhoids and internal.

The Charaka Samhita talks about communicable diseases and the modes through which they are spread i.e via air, water, place and time; contaminated air, contaminated water, eg of place would be garbage dumps and other unsanitary locations, time (seasons) – excessive rainfall which causes the rivers to flood making the river water unsuitable for drinking, the month of October in North America is the on-set of the flu season. The Charaka Samhita itself was written as a summary of earlier Ayurvedic works and is derived from the Atharva Veda. I read a book written by Lakshmi Chandra Mishra  called “Scientific Basis For Ayurvedic Therapy”; according to this book Diabetes Melitus had been further classified into Type 1 and Type 2 in the Charaka Samhita and the treatment methods and drugs prescribed in the Charaka Samhita have been proven scientifically to be effective in curing diabetes melitus. Diabetic complications are listed and explained in the Charaka Samhita. Some of the drugs like fenugreek, gymnema sylvestri prescribed in the Charaka Samhita are available in capsule forms in many health stores. The Charaka Samhita also gives details about urine analysis. Allergic reactions were recognized and natural antihistamines were prescribed. Psychological disorders were known and treated as well. In ancient times small pox vaccinations were made from the pus of an infected person.The Charaka Samhita also mentions and classifies pathogens including microbes. Some of the other diseases listed in the Charaka Samhita with treatment procedures are listed below (this list is just an example).

Ashtila – enlarged prostrate

Asmari - kidney stones

Gadodvega – hypochondria

Galaganda – goitre

Ardita – Bell’s Palsy

Apachi – cancers and tumors

Arbuda – tumors

Asadhya vrana – incurable ulcers

Akshepaka – tetanus

Apache – tumors; diseases lymph nodes

Apasmara – epilepsy

Kaksya – herpes zoster

Romantaka – measles

Masurika – chicken pox

Madhumeha – diabetes mellitus

The description of various diseases, the cause , symptoms, treatment and diagnostic procedures are identical to modern day medical definitions and diagnostic methods..