Father of Surgery

Recently, there were news about many deaths due to negligence in surgery and surgeries done in unhygienic conditions.I was extremely saddened to read all that. These unfortunate events were due to lack of medical knowledge, bad practices or ethics or all the above,I don't know. But, one thing do know, there are some lessons we should learn from the ancient Indians.

About 2500 years ago, Rishi Sushrut conducted complicated surgeries like cesareans, cataract, artificial limbs, fractures,urinary stones and even plastic surgery and brain surgery. Usage of anesthesia was well known in ancient India.The Rishi's had deep knowledge of anatomy, etiology, embryology,digestion, metabolism, genetics and immunity.

Rishi Sushrut wrote a book called 'Sushruta Samhita', in which he describes over 120 surgical instruments, 300 surgical procedures and classifies human surgery in 8 categories. He lived,taught and practiced this science on the banks of the river Ganga. In his book, Rishi Sushrut detailed surgical procedures in many specialized branches which warrant surgery, such as obstetrics, orthopedics and ophthalmology. For successful surgery, anesthesia was induced using wine and other herbs.

Rishi Sushrut knew that to be a good surgeon,one must have great knowledge of human anatomy. To understand Rishi Sushrut's immense knowledge of the human body, consider this example :

Rishi Sushrut gives details of human embryology, in which he mentions that the fetus develops seven layers of skin, naming each layer and the specific diseases which may affect that layer in adult life! (Sharirsthan IV–3).Such detailed observation is mind blowing, because in those days, they knew all these things without using microscopes,ultrasound, X–rays etc.

Being a genius and a perfectionist in all aspects of surgery he even attached great importance to a seemingly insignificant factor such as scars after healing. He implored surgeons to achieve perfect healing, characterized by the absence of any elevation or in-duration,swelling or mass, and the return of normal colouring. He went as far as prescribing ointments to achieve this, managing to change healed wounds from black to white and vice-versa!

Rishi Sushrut’s excellence in surgery and original insights in all branches of medicine make him the most versatile genius in the history of medical science. His contributions to modern surgery are immeasurable.