#ScientificSages: Shushrut
Shushrut : The Father of Surgery
प्रयोजनं चास्य स्वस्थस्य स्वास्थ्यरक्षणमातुरस्य विकार प्रशमनंच||
The utility of Ayurveda is to maintain the health of a healthy individual and heal the disease of the sick.
Acharya Sushruta is known as the father of surgery and the father of brain surgery, he is one of the ancient doctors of India. Acharya Sushruta’s book ‘Sushruta Samhita’ is one of the oldest texts in the world of plastic surgery. It is considered the oldest treatise in the field of medicine and is considered the fundamental text of Ayurveda. According to Bheesgrtna, Sushruta was the name of the clan of Vishwamitra.
Sushruta Samhita describes 1120 diseases in 184 chapters, 700 medicinal plants, 57 preparations from animal sources, and more than 27 types of fevers. Sushruta Samhita elaborates on eye diseases including tooth extraction, abscess, hernia surgery, urinary tract stricture, and cataract surgery.
Sushruta Samhita is still used in modern science, it contains chapters on surgical training. The oldest Sushruta Samhita, written in palm leaves, is still preserved in the Kesar Library of Nepal.
In this book, apart from the prevention of diseases, there is mention of ghost education, virginity, Kayachikitsa, etc. He acquired knowledge from the ashram of Piodas Dhanvantari in Kashi. Acharya Sushruta knew that before the operation, it was necessary to stun the patients, so he used alcohol to make the patients unconscious. It is said that Sushruta used to use gourd, melon, and wax effigies to teach his students.
