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Susruta’s name is synonymous with India’s surgical inheritance. A legendary figure, he is believed to have lived and taught in Varanasi several centuries before the Buddha, and composed the Susruta Tantra which became a timeless medical classic. Though the original text was lost long ago a redaction by Nagarjuna survived as Susruta Samhita and won universal acclaim. The Samhita is a study of the human condition in health and disease with undisguised emphasis on surgery, and rivals Caraka’s classic in authority. In The Legacy of Susruta, the text of Susruta Samhita has been recast in a thematic fashion without sacrificing any of the content of the original chapters. Furthermore, it presents much of the data in tabular form, and features many tables and illustrations in an effort to reach out to readers who may include not only students of ayurveda but also of modern medicine, biological and social sciences and the history of science. The present volume is a companion to the commercially successful The Legacy of Caraka which was published by Orient Blackswan in 2003.
Special Features:
Section I Chapter 1: At thy feet, Divodasa, Dhanvantari Kasiraja Divodasa Dhanvantari begins instruction in ayurveda; emphasis on surgery as preferred by pupils; Susruta as the representative of pupils Section II Chapter 2: Initiation and training of physicians Initiation for the study of ayurveda; exhortation by the preceptor; equal importance of theory and practice; method of study and importance of understanding; royal permission to practise medicine Section III: Surgical Profile of Clinical Practice Chapter 3: Surgical procedures; pre- and postoperative care (pradhana, pilrva and paScat karma) Eight surgical procedures; accessories for surgery; incision and drainage of abscess; chanting a protective hymn; detailed classification and indication for surgical procedures; bandaging; complications Chapter 4: Surgical instruments (yantras and Sastras) Blunt and sharp instruments; classification; use and functions; supportive instruments Chapter 5: Use of alkalis (Ksara) Two varieties; indications; methods of preparation; technique of application " Chapter 6: Cauterisation (agnikarma); burns and treatment Caurerisation ranks above caustic alkali; procedure; indications; burns, classifications and treatment; inhalation injury Chapter 7: Blood-letting (raktavisravana): methods and management Benefits; indications; two methods, scarification and venesection, indications of each; venesection at different locations and for varied clinical conditions; use of leeches Chapter 8: Assorted surgical techniques Piercing the ear; reconstruction of the ear lobe; pre- and postoperative measures; reconstruction of the nose and lip; foreign bodies and their removal Chapter 9: Fractures and dislocations (Kandabhagna: Sandhimukta)) Classification; treatment; management of regional injuries; oils for promotion of bone healing .. Section IV: Introduction to Clinical Practice Chapter 10: Diseases and their classification Surgical/Medical and other types of classifications; detailed classification under seven types on the basis of causation; dosas targeting dhatus to produce diseases Chapter 11: Time, seasons and the human body Units of time; classification of seasons; effects of seasons on life; deranged seasons turning habitat into wasteland Chapter 12: Dosas Three dosas as three pillars of support for the body; functions of dosas derived from etymology; perturbation of dosas; stages suitable for medical intervention during perturbation Chapter 13: Fall and rise of dosas, dhatus and malas; Observations on blood Dosas, dhatus and malas as the basic components of the body; effects of the increase and decrease of each component; effects of derangement of ojas; disturbance in the equilibrium of dosas, dhatus and malas; observations on blood Chapter 14: Rasas Six primary and sixty-three secondary tastes; dosas and rasas; characteristics of each rasa; classification of substances according to primary tastes Chapter 15: Wholesomeness: food incompatibilities Wholesome articles of diet; unwholesome combination of articles and incompatibilities in diet; unwholesomeness from cooking; combination of tastes causing incompatibility in potency and post-digestive taste Chapter 16: Geographical influences in pharmacy The influence of locale on plants and human beings; criteria for the selection ofland for harvesting plants; classification ofland into six types; effects of wind