Surgery in ancient India was very advanced: City doctor Indian Science Congress Surgery in ancient India was very advanced and Sushruta – father of surgery – has described the qualities of a good surgeon in his book Sushruta Samhita, a doctor said at the 102nd Indian Science Congress (ISC) on Sunday. “Sushruta was the first medical person to use leeches for treatment. In the last two decades, the FDA of United States has accepted leeches as a medical device,” he said. A drilled tooth dating back to 7,000 years was found at a place now in Pakistan, the city-based doctor said. “Sushruta was the first to say that the human heart is the centre of the body’s circulation system. “Instruments in ancient India were so sharp that they could split a human hair.” Sushruta’s book has reference to the use of wine and bhaang as anaesthetic in surgery. The Sanskrit text also talks about maintaining the natural colour and texture of a scar, which is still uncommon to modern medicine. – PTI
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 10:23:33 +0000