A Synopsis of Ayurveda

This synopsis of Ayurveda offers a new translation from the original Sanskrit of Susruta Samhita - the 2500 year old surgical treatise, originally written by Susruta, the father of surgery. This translation attempts to condense 186 chapters of the original into 14 concise chapters using modern medical idiom. Though the treatise focuses mainly on surgery, it provides a comprehensive survey of various aspects of medicine such as anatomy, physiology, paediatrics, gynaecology, pharmacology and psychiatry. It also has useful sections on poisons, training the student and care of the new born. As the allopathic system of medicine is increasingly being criticised for its inability to relate to the lifestyle of an individual and its helplessness against side effects of drugs, this book successfully highlights the ancient Indian 'holistic' system of medicine.