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Introduction
Little is known of the medical
science at Harappa and Mohenjodaro. Findings of cuttlefish bones stored in
homes suggest that they were used for their medicinal value, as they are
presently known to help cure skin, eye and throat diseases. Deer, antelope
and rhino horns appear to have had medicinal value. The leaf of the neem
tree, which has proven medical properties, was also probably used. In
fact, the later medicinal science of ayurveda, which grew during the Vedic
age, probably had its earliest roots in the Indus Valley.
The Vedic Age
The vedas themselves contain
records of the medical practices at the time. The curative powers of
various plants was known. But a large part of the vedas is myth; for
example, there are descriptions of the Asvin, beings with miraculous
healing powers. Hence the medical knowledge of the time is largely
unknown.
Charaka and Sushruta
As Hippocrates and Galen were to the Greeks and the Romans
respectively, so were Charaka (1st
century CE) and Sushruta (4th century CE) to the Indians.
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Sushruta described in his book,
the Sushruta Samhita, various techniques in plastic surgery far ahead of
their time. He gave an account of how a new nose or ear could be sculpted
from existing facial tissue taken from the forehead or cheek. This account
is amazingly similar to the modern surgical technique of the pedicle flap.
He also conducted amputations and replaced the limbs with iron false ones.
Surgery: Indians had knowledge of
the caesarean section for delivering babies and developed the technique of
setting various bone fractures. Their knowledge of plastic surgery
(surgery for repairing damaged superficial tissue) surpassed that of all
contemporary civilisations. Numerous accounts exist of noses, lips and
ears lost or mutilated during war being repaired with great skill.
Health of the people became an
important concern for the rich and religious institutions, which helped
provide free medical services. During the reign of Asoka (ca.269-232 BCE),
medicines were provided for men and animals; in the 5th century CE free
public hospitals have been described.
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Medicine