Medicine

Cataract in the Human Eye—magnified view seen on examination with a slit lamp. Indian surgeon Susruta performed
cataract surgery by the 6th century BCE.

Amastigotes in a chorionic villus.Upendranath Brahmachari (December 19, 1873 - February 6, 1946) discovered Urea
Stibamine, a treatment which helped nearly eradicate Visceral leishmaniasis.

 Angina pectoris: The concept of Hritshoola—literally heart pain—was known to Sushruta (6th

century BCE).[95] Dwivedi & Dwivedi (2007) hold that: 'It embodies all the essential components of
present day definition, i.e. site, nature, aggravating and relieving factors and referral." [95]Sushruta also
linked this kind of pain to obesity (medoroga).[95]

 Cataract surgery: Cataract surgery was known to the Indian physician Sushruta (6th century
BCE).[212] In India, cataract surgery was performed with a special tool called the Jabamukhi Salaka, a
curved needle used to loosen the lens and push the cataract out of the field of vision. [212] The eye
would later be soaked with warm butter and then bandaged. [212] Though this method was successful,
Susruta cautioned that cataract surgery should only be performed when absolutely necessary.
[212]
 Greek philosophers and scientists traveled to India where these surgeries were performed by
physicians.[212] The removal of cataract by surgery was also introduced into China from India. [213]
 Circulatory system: The knowledge of circulation of vital fluids through the body was known to
Sushruta (6th century BCE).[95] He also seems to possess knowledge of the arteries, described as
'channels' by Dwivedi & Dwivedi (2007).[95]

 Diabetes: Sushruta (6th century BCE) identified Diabetes and classified it as Madhumeha.[95]He
further identified it with obesity and sedentary lifestyle, advising exercises to help cure it.[95]

 Hypertension: Sushruta (6th century BCE) explained hypertension in a manner which matches
the modern symptoms of the disease.[95]

 Inoculation and Variolation: The earliest record of inoculation and variolation for smallpox is
found in 8th century India, when Madhav wrote the Nidāna, a 79-chapter book which lists diseases
along with their causes, symptoms, and complications.[214] He included a special chapter on smallpox
(masūrikā) and described the method of inoculation to protect against smallpox. [214]

 Leprosy: Kearns & Nash (2008) state that the first mention of leprosy is described in the Indian
medical treatise Sushruta Samhita (6th century BCE).[215] However, The Oxford Illustrated Companion
to Medicine holds that the mention of leprosy, as well as ritualistic cures for it, were described in
the Atharva-veda (1500–1200 BCE), written before the Sushruta Samhita.[216]

 Obesity: Obesity was known to Sushruta (6th century BCE), who also related it with diabetes and
heart disorder.[95] He recommended physical work in order to help cure it and its side effects. [95]

 Stones: The earliest operation for curing stone is also given in the Sushruta Samhita (6th century
BCE).[217] The operation involved exposure and going up through the floor of the bladder. [217]

 Veterinary medicine: The Egyptian Papyrus of Kahun (1900 BCE) and literature of the Vedic

period in India offer the first written records of veterinary medicine. [218] One of the edicts of
Ashoka (272 - 231 BCE) reads: "Everywhere King Piyadasi (Asoka) erected two kinds of hospitals,
hospitals for people and hospitals for animals. Where there were no healing herbs for people and
animals, he ordered that they be bought and planted." [60]

 Visceral leishmaniasis, treatment of: The Indian (Bengali) medical practitioner Upendra Nath
Brahmachari (December 19, 1873 - February 6, 1946) was nominated for the Nobel Prize in
Physiology or Medicine in 1929 for his discovery of 'ureastibamine (antimonialcompound for treatment
of kala azar) and a new disease, post-kalaazar dermal leishmanoid.' [219] Brahmachari's cure for
Visceral leishmaniasis was the urea salt of para-amino-phenyl stibnic acid which he called Urea
Stibamine.[220] Following the discovery of Urea Stibamine, Visceral leishmaniasis was largely
eradicated from the world, except for some underdeveloped regions. [220]