Significance of Medical works
Medical works, as highlighted in various ancient Indian texts, encompass a range of writings that document and elaborate on medical knowledge and practices. According to Shilpashastra, they reference practical methodologies for architecture and health. Ayurveda describes them as texts supporting early hospitals and documenting treatments. Dharmashastra includes literary works on medicinal preparations, while Rasashastra focuses on medical practices involving chemical compounds. Vaisheshika emphasizes the relationship between medicine and health, including sensory aspects. Overall, Medical works provide comprehensive insights into historical health practices and treatments.
Synonyms: Medical literature, Clinical research, Medical studies
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Medical works'
In Hinduism, Medical works encompass literary texts detailing medicinal knowledge and practices, early hospital documentation, functional methodologies, health insights including Taste, and treatises on chemical compounds, reflecting a rich tradition of medicinal understanding.
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 5: Treatment of various afflictions
(1) Writings and treatises focusing on medical practices, which may involve chemical compounds and their uses.[1]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Literary texts that contain medicinal knowledge, including the preparation of decoctions.[2]
From: Padarthadharmasamgraha and Nyayakandali
(1) Literature and texts related to medicine that provide insights into health, including the role of Taste.[3]
From: Manasara (English translation)
(1) Referencing other practical Sanskrit texts that, like the Manasara, are intended to offer functional methodologies and teachings.[4]
From: History of Indian Medicine (and Ayurveda)
(1) Written texts or studies documenting medical knowledge and practices that support the existence of early hospitals.[5]
The concept of Medical works in local and regional sources
Medical works encompass texts that detail medical practices and treatments, including various cleansing methods akin to those used in rasayana treatment, illustrating the historical and cultural dimensions of healing practices.
From: History of Science in South Asia
(1) These works increasingly included metals and minerals into their pharmacopoeia and their rasayana formulations, and simultaneously, these later medical texts integrated methods for processing these materials that show close parallels to the metallurgical procedures of the alchemical works.[6] (2) Medical works refers to Sanskrit medical works, where the term kayakalpa is not found, but it is associated with rejuvenation traditions.[7] (3) These are texts that describe the practices and treatments within medicine, some of which prescribe similar cleansing methods to those used in preparing for rasayana treatment.[8]