Medical information in Agnipurana.

Agnipurana is one amongst the 18 Purana of the Hindu literature. Its title is so because it was narrated by Agni to Vasistha. It consists of 16000 stanzas distributed in 383 chapters. It has not only the compilation of special topics from different Ayurvedic texts but also carries information regarding some missing links, serets and some issues which are not disussed in Ayurveda. There is deference of opinion regarding the date of this Purana. Medical information given in Agnipurana was taken from Susruta Samhita, Astanga Sangraha, Vrnda Madhava and Cakradatta etc. At some places slokas were reproduced and at some places zist has been taken. Basic principles, anatomy, physiology, medicine etc. medical information is available in Agnipurana which is being presented in this article.

Udumbara (Ficus glomerata Roxb.): a medico-historical review.

Udumbara is well known drug for its use since ancient times. Atharvaveda considers this as a divine plant and much used in religious sacrifice. It is also called as Yajñodumbara. It grows abundantly in all parts of India. In Ayurveda bark, leaves and unripe fruits etc. are used externally and internally to cure many diseases like Pravahika (Dysentery), Pradara (Menorrhagia), Raktapitta (Haemoptysis) etc. Thus its medico-historical importance and other details have been presented in this article.

Precepts of community health and hygiene from the Holy Bible.

Every Society, in its unending process of evolution, devises its own methods of survival in ethical, medical and emotional aspects. The urge for good and healthy living, the desire for longevity of life are not only inherent but also largely evident in all the societies right from the time of its primitivity. Jews are a wonder community. Though negligible in numbers, they managed to win 17.5% of noble prizes announced so far. Besides, almost all the major inventions in the world are by Jews. This despite the years of persecution and trials the community was subjected to in the history. The pages of the human history are smeared with the blood patches of the Jews in the hands of oppressors for several centuries. Apart from the fact that theirs is the community chosen specially by God, the intellectual prowess and tenacity of the Jewish community basically stems from the discipline and dietary code they received from their leader Moses in wilderness. Jewish nation was conceived in the vision of their patriarch Abraham but in fact, born on the night they left as slaves from Egypt for good under the dynamic leadership of Moses. Mosaic code for all aspects of life has made Jews or Israelites what they are today. A modest effort is being made in this article to trace their community's health and hygiene social behavioral precepts as given by Moses.

Medico-historical study of "asvattha" (sacred fig tree).

Asvattha (Ficus religiosa Linn.) is a tree which has got mythological, religious and medicinal importance in Indian culture since ancient times. As per Vedic Index Asvattha means horse stand, a place or site or an object where or under which horses stand. Asvattha is also known as Pipal and Bodhidrma. This tree is the oldest depicted tree in India. In Vedic times it was used to make fire by friction and considered sacred. Atharvaveda associates it with the third heaven. It discusses medicinal properties of Asvattha along with Soma and Kustha. Asvattha is associated with the triad of Gods-Brahma, visnu and siva. Reference to Asvattha is found in Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavadgita, Buddhistic literature, Arthasastra, Puranas, Upanisads etc. non-medical literature also. According to Ayurveda it has several synonyms. Most of them symbolize its sacredness. Asvattha is useful in various ailments like consumption, vomiting, ulcers in oral cavity, burns, gynaecological problems etc. Thus its medico-historical importance, regional nomenclature, morphological features in brief etc. are being presented in this article with few illustrations.

Diet, dietetics and flora of the Holy Bible.

The study of history of medical science from non-medical sources needs no apology. At first the discussion of what was thought in the past rather than what is known now appears to be of merely antiquarian value. The knowledge of Diet, Dietetics, medicinal plants dates back to the remote antiquity of mankind. The Hebrews can be proud of having preserved in the Old Testament many old medical practices and traditions, which throw light on ancient medicine. The Bible is genuinely documented book representing the wisdom, medical knowledge and the culture, of a nomadic race. This article contains information of some medicinal plants, which are useful for treating different kinds of ailments and some with nutritious qualities.

Palasa (Butea monosperma (Lamk.) Taub.) and its medico-historical study.

Palasa (Butea monosperma (Lamk.) Taub.) is considered sacred both by Hindus and Buddhists. It is known to the Hindus under the Sanskrt name Palasa as it possesses valuable medicinal properties. This sacred tree is being called the treasurer of the gods and of sacrifice. It grows throughout India except in very arid parts and is a medium sized deciduous tree. Parts used are bark, leaf, flower, seed and gum. It is mainly useful as antihelmenthic appetizer, aphrodisiac, laxative etc. Thus its medico- historical aspects are being presented in this paper.

Sarangadhara--his contribution in Ayurvedic literature.

Sarangadhara was an erudite scholar who wrote the famous Sarangadharasamhita. It is the earliest Indian medical treatise to mention nadipariksa as a method of diagnosing the diseases. This classic treatise is also important for several other reasons, which can be deduced from its inclusion in the minor triad of authoritative works called Laghutrayi. The Samhita is designed to serve as a practitioner's handbook as the author himself states at the end of the work. The particulars of the author Sarangadhara are not known, apart from his name mentioned in one of the introductory verses and at the end of the work as the son of Damodara. The period of Sarangadhara can be fixed probably to the early part of 14th century A.D.

Medicinal plants referred in Vamana Purana.

Purana and Itihasa (history) have been the allied subjects since the early Vedik times. They have been regarded as supplementary to each other. The word 'Purana' as an adjective means ancient or old. Its earliest use as a noun in the sense of 'ancient lore or old narrative' (or works containing ancient lore's or old narratives) is found in the Atharvaveda and the Brahmanas. This Vamana Purana contains information on medicinal plants which are used in ayurveda for treating different kinds of ailments. This article carries the list of medicinal plants referred in Vamana Purana with their scientific names, context and references.

Lessor known ayurvedic physicians from an Urdu book Rumoozul Atibba: part II.

Rumoozul Atibba, a rare Urdu book compiled by Hakim Fairozuddin is in two Volumes. It is published by Darul Kutub Rafiqul Atibba, printed in "Rifah-e-Aam press in 1913 at Lahore which contains short biographies of Ayurvedic and Unani physicians. It has been compiled to disclose the tested formulae hidden in the minds of eminent scholars of Ayurveda and Unani with their life sketches. The selection of this work has been aimed to enlight the Ayurvedic History prevailed in different languages. Twenty biographies of Ayurvedic Physicians were in first volume of 'Rumuzul Atibba', which were published prior to this article (Bulletin of Indian Institute of History of Medicine. Vol XXVI (1996). This article contains only three biographies of Ayurvedic physicians.

Medico-historical review of drug Kustha.

Kustha is well known for its cures since ancient times. Atharvaveda considers this as a potent plant next to Soma (a divine plant) in curing several diseases. It is also called Takmanashana (which cures fevers) in Atharvaveda. It grows in Himalayas and Kasmir. In Ayurveda, root of Kustha is used for fevers, skin diseases, headache etc. Almost all Nighantus carry the description of Kustha with several synonyms. Some scholars consider two varieties of Kustha i.e. sweetish and bitter, but one with bitter taste is the real Kustha. Pushkarmool (Inula recemosa Hook.f.) is available in the market as sweet variety of Kustha. Thus its medico-historical importance and other details have been presented in this article.

Indu and Bhattanarahari: the commentators of ayurvedic classical treatises.

Indu who wrote a valuminous and comprehensive commentary entitled 'Sasilekha' on Astanga Samgraha. It is the only commentary available at present. Later writers vastly mentioned this commentary. He wrote a commentary with the same title on Astanga Hrdaya also.

Ayurveda during Abbasid's period.

This is a historical paper which deals with a brief account of Abbasid's period. In this article the existence of Ayurveda in Arab countries, arrival of Ayurvedic physicians to Baghdad, their eminence, authenticity and literary additions in medical field has been studied and presented.

Gleanings from the travelogue of the traveller Nicholas Seen.

The traveller Nicholas Senn, visited India in the early part of this century, to make detailed enquiries about the development of medical science, general education and to obtain proficiency in the professions and arts. According to him revolutionary changes were taking place day to day in research and discoveries in the fields of science and also in the practice of medicine and surgery at the time. Scientific work was no longer confined to a favoured institutions, it may be seen in all parts of the civilized globe. A personal acquaintance with men who have earned a well-merited reputation in the advancement of medical profession is a source of great gratification and excites a new interest in the work he has accomplished.

Medicine in the Holy Bible.

The study of history of medical science from non-medical sources needs no apology. At first sight the discussion of what was thought in the past rather than what is known now appears to be of merely anti-quarian value. The Hebrews can be proud of having preserved in the Old Testament many old medical practices and traditions which throw light on ancient medicine in general and on Hebrew medical practices in particular. The Bible is a genuinely documented book presenting the wisdom, medical knowledge and the culture of a nomadic race.

Embryology in Holy Bible.

The knowledge of Embryology and its existence dates back to the remote antiquity of mankind. The theory of maternal impressions on Embryo has its sanction in the Holy Bible. Apart from this it is remarkable to find artificial incubation of the eggs of birds practised 'probably' as far back as about 3000 B.C. Other than these, the existence of midwives, cases of premature births, deliveries of the women of advanced age and the obstetric chair etc. are the expositions of the science of medicine in the Holy Bible.

Dalhana.

Dalhana, the celebrated commentator of the Sushruta Samhita, and the author of 'Nibandha Sangraha' is one of the ancient luminaries of the Indian system of medicine. Dalhana perhaps can be counted among the few ancient luminaries who attained the fame and commanded respect from the intellectual circles with just a single work. His contribution to the ancient Indian system of medicine as the author of 'Nibandha Sangraha' is priceless. He belonged to an illustrious family of vaidyas of the 12th century. Patronised by the King Sahajapala Deva. Dalhana made an extensive study of the works of the authors who belonged to the period before him. He has also evidently undertaken extensive tours throughout the country to get himself acquainted with the prevalent traditions and the systems of medicine.