Poison as Discussed by Susruta, The Father of Surgery

Abstract

Dilip Kumar Goswami

Poisons are the substances that, after coming to contact with the body either internally or externally, cause deleterious effect. Poisoning is the situation when an individual comes to the contact with a poison and the development of signs and symptoms occurs. Management of poisoning is vividly discussed in the branch of Modern medicine “Toxicology”.

The context of the substances that can be closely compared with “poison” and “poisoning” is the concept of “BISHA”and “BISHAPITA” of the Ayurvedic classics. Bisha is discussed by the great Indian Ayurvedic scholar, the father of Indian medicine, “Charaka”in the famous book “Charaka Samhita” Chikitsasthana 23rd chapter and also by the father of Indian Surgery “Susruta” in “Susruta Samhita” Kalpasthana 8 chapters . Both the scholars have given almost same concepts on poison (Bisha) and poisoning (Bishapidita). But, even with close similarity of concepts, the description of Susruta is seemed to be more elaborate and informative hence throwing light on his concepts is consid- ered to be more beneficial and informative.

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