INDIAN SUSRUTA RENOWNED SURGEON

One of our ancient Indian Susruta was a renowned surgeon of that period ( 6th BC ). He was the first surgeon who took out a child from a mother’s womb through surgery ( what is known today as Caesarian operation). Susruta in his classic Susruta Samhita has described 120 surgical instruments and 300 surgical procedures. His technique of forehead flap rhinoplasty ( replacing the disfigured nose with a flap of skin from the forehead ) is followed even today. He has described several operating procedures such as prostrate gland surgery, gall bladder surgery and kidney stone removal.

A well maintained an Ayurvedic hospital was functioning during the period of 11th century as per in the inscriptions etched on the walls of Venkatesa temple in Thirumukkudal near Kanchepuram. The hospital was attached to a Vedic school that was functioning there. The inscriptions mentions that the hospital housed a physician, a surgeon, two nurses, a barber ( to assist the doctor) and also a long list medicines that are mentioned in Susruta Samhita. Minor details like stock of medicines that was maintained also found the inscription

Foreign invasion and foreign rule have affected every walk of life including the medical heritage