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Sushruta Samhita — Sushruta

~600 BC · Transmission: Silenced
MedicineMethodIndian

The Sushruta Samhita describes more than 300 surgical procedures, 120 surgical instruments, and 8 categories of intervention, including the first detailed description of reconstructive rhinoplasty (forehead flap) still in use today. It documents dissection of cadavers macerated in water as an anatomical learning method. It describes cataract surgery, lithotomy, removal of foreign bodies, and amputations. The instruments described (scalpels, saws, forceps, mirrors) have direct modern equivalents. The rhinoplasty technique was rediscovered in Europe in the 18th century through reports by British travelers about Indian surgeons in Maharashtra who practiced it following Sushruta's tradition.

InstitutionMedical school of Varanasi (Kashi), Dhanvantari tradition
Historical regionNorthern India (present-day Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh)
Primary sourceSushruta Samhita, c. 6th century BC (current redaction c. 7th century AD) — English translation: K.L. Bhishagratna, Calcutta, 1907-1916 (3 vols.); critical edition: Yadavji Trikamji Acharya, Bombay, 1931
Secondary sourcePMC/NIH — ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11527508; World History Encyclopedia — worldhistory.org/sushruta
Original languageClassical Sanskrit
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