In modern times, many scientific miracles are seen in the field of medicine. And all this is possible with the help of advanced technologies. But about 2600 years ago, this discipline was invented by the Indian physician Sushruta.
Who was Sushruta?
India has an ancient history of medicine. Ayurveda has included the treatment of many kinds of diseases. In the same way, surgical procedure practise has also been done. Sushruta is commonly known as Maharshi Sushruta. The wordly meaning of Sushruta is "famous." He has practised medicine in the northeastern region of India, in Varanasi (Banaras), near the bank of the Ganga river.
His work focused on the application of medical techniques, and he is known as the "Father of Plastic Surgery" and the "Father of Indian Medicine."
Sushruta knew other aspects of Ayurveda, such as body composition, physical therapy, pediatrics, mental illness, etc., along with surgery.
The book "Sushruta Samhita," written by him, is the world’s oldest book on plastic surger y.
He explained how to practise the art of medicine with specific procedures, including reconstructive plastic surgery and cataract removal.
Sushruta Samhita
Sushruta Samhita deals with 1100 surgical techniques; in this book, more than 300 surgical procedures and 120 surgical instruments have been mentioned.
also given information about more than 700 herbs. According to Sushruta, surgery was not a last resort, but it was indeed a good means of alleviating pain in some circumstances.
He has described eight types of surgery in his creation, which are as follows:
1. Cheda ( excision )
2. Bheda ( penetrate )
3. Lekhya ( scarification )
4. Vedya ( puncturing )
5. Yeshya ( exploration )
6. Aharya ( extraction )
7. Vishravya ( evacuation )
8. Sivya ( suturing )
Principles of Medicine:
1. The reasons that caused the disease should be treated.
2. Aggravated dosha (which can cause problems) should be decreased, weakened dosha should be increased, and similar dosha should be kept the same.
3. Pruning should be done systematically, wherever appropriate.
4. Treatment of mental diseases by adopting the process of concentration of knowledge, science, spirituality, religion, etc.
From the description of specific indications and contraindications and the principles of surgical management of various surgical diseases, it is clear that Sushruta performed many surgeries and was the first to practise plastic surgery. All the sages of ancient India have always welcomed improvements in the principles of treatment. Sushruta was a sage, a teacher, a philosopher, and a great surgeon.
