Sushruta is called the Father of Surgery. He is the author of the Sushruta Samhita, one of the most brilliant books in the Bharateeya medical science of Ayurveda. ‘Sushruta’ was a disciple of Dhanwantari Kashiraj, who taught him about medical science, especially Salya-Chikitsa i.e. surgery.
He started writing the Sushruta Samhita while teaching in Kashi.
The earliest form of cataract surgery was first performed by Sushruta in the ancient Bharat, somewhere around 6th century. Uttaratantra section of the Sushruta Samhita, chapter 17, verses 55-69, explains an operation in which a curved needle (a special tool called Jabamukhi) is used to push the opaque phlegmatic matter in the eye out of the way of vision. The phlegm is blown out of the nose after this. Later on, the eyes are soaked with warm clarified butter and then they are bandaged.
This operation was considered as very delicate and therefore, Sushruta had clearly advised that this operation should be performed only when it is absolutely necessary. This medical technology of Bharat was imported by China, and in due course, this technology advanced further to other countries. And different surgeons over the century brought it to the present day modern technology of cataract surgery.
The Bharateeya sage Sushruta invented the whole system; and the world learnt it and followed it.
Nirmal joshi ( Courtesy: Wah Bharat )
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