KASHYAPA-THE PEDIATRICIAN & GYNEO-OBSTETRICIAN.

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KASHYAPA-THE PEDIATRICIAN & GYNEO-OBSTETRICIAN Properlyand judiciously taken food imparts complexion to the body, givesstrength, memory, the retention power. The mind becomes pleasant, helpsin proper development of organs, senses and provides longevity. Ayurveda the eternalscience of life, surpassing all imaginations regarding its origin,having been taught to mortals by lord Brahma, the god of creationshimself, was divides in eight branches or specialties for clear andcritical understanding as well as practical/ therapeutic application.Kaumarabhritya (pediatrics, obstetrics including gynecology) is one ofthese eight branches. Number of treatises has been written during thoseearlier days on all these

specialties, providing a clear-cut scope forinter-disciplinary understanding. Kashyapa the first ever pediatricianlived between 6th century B..C. to 2nd centuryA.D. according to the historians. CONTRIBUTIONS Kashyapa-Samhita,the only available source on Kaumarabhritya (pediatrics, obstetricsincluding gynecology) is presented in the form of compilations of thepreaching of sage Kashyapa by his disciple Vriddha-Jivaka. With thelapse of time, the book was lost in oblivion and then resurrected byVatsya, who procured it from a Yaksa named Anayasa . Kashyap-Samhita is

consideredspecifically the book of Kaumarabhritya on the basis of the subjectmatter of the book as well as available last words of few sections. Itgives emphasis on the importance of Kaumarabhritya over other eightbranches of Ayurveda; the branch being considered as the best subjecthaving been taught by Kashyapa for the benefit of children and also thetreatment of children described to king Vayurvida. The treatment ofwounds is considered as domain of other specialist in unequivocalwords, other specialists of Kaumarabhritya are also said to followKashyapa or he was accepted as a top most authority of Kaumarabhritya. Method of Presentation ofthis book Kashyap-Samhita is unique .The subject is discussed inquestions answers, the author and redactor of Kashyap-Samhita i.e.Vriddha-Jivaka and Vatsya are also found to be

participating indiscussions. Detailed descriptionincluding definition of medicine is given the seven differentpreparations i.e. churna (powder), sitaksaya (cold infusion), swarasa(juice), abhisava (fermented drinks), phanta (hot infusion), kalka(paste) and kwatha (decoction) are mentioned. The process of perceptionof subjects of sense organs (Indriyartha) is elaborately given in thetext. Entire Kalpa-sthana (particular section) is an originalcontribution in Kashyap-Samhita because the kalpa-sthana of otherclassics deals with the drugs and other methods for cleansing purposes.

Amlapitta (Acid-pepticdisorder), as a separate disease entity with its etipathogenesis,clinical features, complications and treatment, is described inKhila-sthana (chapter 16) of this classic, change of place is also saidto be its treatment. The childhood is divided into three stages i.e.Garbha (intra uterine life), Bala (infancy / Childhood) and Kaumara(adolescence). Mother's milk is said to be the best for the child. Detailed discussion aboutbasti (therapeutic enema) for the children, which is considered even asnectar and also for producing anabolic effects. Kashyap-Samhitaprescribes feeding of fruit juices in sixth month and cereals aftereruption of teeth or in tenth month. Vitiation of mother's milk and

itscleansing measures are not described by any other author. The care of the childright from its birth for building strength against the diseases,procedures and medication for the mental as well as physicaldevelopment of the child, the diseases prevention measures, descriptionof diseases affecting the children with detail etiology, pathogenesis,treatment and the diet regimen are covered in the compendium in veryelaborated way.

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