Susruta Samhita Set of 3 Vols.

Description

Susruta Samhita Set of 3 Vols. The present volume contains nidänasthana, särirasthäna and cikitsästhäna Nidanasthana (section on diagnosis) has sixteen chapters in all beginning with vätavyädhi and ending with mukharoga. In between are chapters on medical diseases like prameha and kustha and those on surgical diseases like arias, aśmart and fistula in-ano Särirasthana (section on human body) of the Suśruta-samhita is regarded as the best one (शारीरे सुश्रुतः श्रेष्व:) because of the fact that here the human body is described in detail covering many aspects which are not found in other samhitas. In the latter group come description of the dissection of human cadaver and classified descripution of marmans. The method of dissection of the human body is described only in the Suśruta-samhita. Though it was in a crude way it suggests the eagerness and curiosity to know the anatomical details by practical observation. It is surprising that the relevant passage of the Sušruta-samhitä stands single neither preceded nor followed or devel oped by any other text.

Depscription of marmans is also unique. The Sušruta-samhita is essentially a surgical treatise and as the marmans had to be protected in warfare and during surgical operations in order to save life and physical ability of the person they have received utmost importance and as such are described in a systematic and classified way. Though Caraka has menfioned the number (one hundred and seven) of marmans in ärirasthana (7.14) and three chief ones-hrdaya, basti and siras (Ci. 26.3) their detailed description is absent there

Apart from these, Suśruta has distinguished sira, dhamani and srotas in a logical way. This exercise was relevant and necessary looking to the importance of venepuncture in treatment of various disorders.

Cikitsästhāna (section on treatment) has rightly started with treatment of two types of vrana (wound) which consists of sixty measures in all. Thus it can be said as the most comprehensive and perfect management of wound. Surgical operation has been described in relation to treatment of piles, calculus, abnormal foetal presentation, udararoga etc.It also describes daily routine and sadvrtta in way of preventive treatment (ch. 24) The two angas-väjikarana and rasayana (chs. 26 and 27-30) are also covered in this section. Then follow the procedure of pañcakarma in detail (chs. 31-39) the last chapter (40) being on smoking, snuffing and gargling. Thus cikitsästhana covers both aspects samsodhana and samsamana-including rasayana and väjikarana-salya, of course, being everywhere.