Dermatological writings of ancient India.

THIS paper is concerned with a glimpse into the wealth of ancient Indian medical literature. A small sampling of the general knowledge and thoughts of these ancients will be presented along with an attempt to place their leading texts into some historical perspective. Following this, emphasis will be placed on some of the writings of what may be called 'Ancient Indian Dermatology'. Most modern physicians are not aware of the richness of the medical literature of ancient India. Even most monographs and textbooks on the history of medicine include only cursory references to medicine in Ancient India. In addition, English translations ofthe original Sanskrit texts are usually available only in certain specialized libraries. The leading prominent texts available to these ancient medical practitioners were the Atharva-Veda,"'2 Charaka Samhita," and the Sushruta Samhita.4'5 A brief summary of their contents is given below: ATHARVA-VEDA SAMHITA The Atharva-Veda is one of the ancient scriptures (vedas). The vedas are among the world's oldest literature. Estimates of the dates of composition of the vedas range from 3000 B.C.-lO00 B.C. The vedas contain much of the knowledge of the age. Of the four vedas, the Atharva-Veda is by far the most important source of early references to medicine. Although the Atharva-Veda is basically a religious text, in it we see the foundation of the future system of medicine. The book contains over 700 hymns consisting of about 6,000 stanzas. Of these hymns, 114 are devoted to medical topics. some of the subjects mentioned. The book contains a description of healing methods which consist of drugs, charms, prayers, incantations and amulets. The Atharva-Veda is a unique blend of superstition, philosophy, rituals, ethics and scientific observation; medicine is only one of the numerous aspects of life discussed. The most ancient of the comprehensive Indian books on medicine is known as the Charaka or Charaka Samhita. This book has been considered the most authoritative text on medicine. Historians differ upon the date of original composition. From a number of sources it appears that the original Charaka Sanhita is a redacted version of an earlier work by Agnivesa. Agnivesa is thought to have compiled his work about 1000 B.C. Charaka's redacted version was probably written in 300-200 B.C. The Charaka Sanhita as it is available to us is in a redacted form written by Dridhabala. Besides editing the major portion of the work, Dridhabala also reconstructed, possibly from Agnivesa, the …