DERMATOVENEREOLOGY IN ANCIENT INDIA(THE VEDIC PERIOD OF HEALING)
Mikhail Sergeevich Betekhtin1, Vladimir Yurievich Druzhinin2,3, Mikhail Albertovich Subotyalov4,3
1A.I. Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, 20, Delegatskaya st., Moscow, 127473, Russia
2Novosibirsk State Medical University, 52, Krasny av., Novosibirsk, 630091, Russia
3Novosibirsk National Research State University, 2, Pirogov st., Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
4Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University, 28, Vilyuyskaya st., Novosibisk, 630126, Russia
Keywords: история науки, дерматовенерология, лепра, Ригведа, Атхарваведа, протонаука, history of science, dermatovenereology, leprosy, the Rigveda, the Atharvaveda, protoscience
Abstract
The article deals with poorly known issues of the history of dermatovenereology of the Vedic period in Ancient India. We present information found out in the Vedas, which are fundamental written source of this period. Close attention is paid to the Atharvaveda which contains information about the everyday life of Indians in general, as well as a description of their views on health, disease, pathogens and treatment tools in particular. Valuable information about skin diseases and treating them is contained in hymns of the Atharvaveda. For instance, they notice skin diseases and those of subcutaneous fatty tissue: lepra ( kuṣṭha ), palita , kilasa , apacit , and yaksma . We quote views of various commentators of ancient Indian texts on these diseases and on how they correspond to modern nosologic units. We present information about ancient Indians’ approaches to treating skin diseases by using various means: spells, natural factors, etc. The Atharvaveda contains hymns concerning cosmetic issues (means for intensifying hair growth) and treatment of external injuries. As to sexually transmitted diseases, the Atharvaveda contains no unequivocal information. Nevertheless, when studying ancient Indian texts, we found out hymns which noticed spells and medicinal herbs both for treating and provoking impotence. This information may indirectly refer to treatment of inflammatory diseases of the urogenital tract, including those of infectious etiology. The new information presented in the article enriches the history of medicine and contributes to the formation of a comprehensive picture of the development of global dermatovenereology.
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