Philosophy and Medicine Indian Standpoint

Author(s): Hemant Shah
Publisher: Z_Philosophical_Writings_001802.pdf

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Philosophical Writings
proves to be more meaningful, systematic and oriented towards beneficial results.
According to modern medicine, diseases are either structural or functional. The modern doctors say that functional diseases are cured by medicine, but the structural diseases are cured by surgical treatment. But Indian medical schools, including Ayurveda, do not agree with this. We do have surgery as an important branch of medicine. At the same time “Ayurveda asserts that Ayurvedic type of medicine does have the capacity to reverse such processes. In medicine the importance is given to substance. Ayurveda says: 'no attribute can exist without substance”.17 "A substance can be medicine only when it is applied (or used) in the proper way and for specific purposes; nothing can unconditionally be considered a medicine. The medicative influence is exerted both by virtue of the specific agency of a substance and by the specific agency of its qualities, as also by their joint influence".!! One lesser known and rarely practiced branch of medicine is metallic pathology (Rasayana). The essense of a substance (Ras) is an ancient phenomenon. The earliest person to have developed some techniques in connection with metallic pathology (Rasayanasastra) is Nagarjuna who lived in the 2nd century AD. In Ayurveda there are two sorts of medicine: One is the application of herbs and the other is derived from metallic chemistry. Metallic pathology occupies a place of great importance in Ayurveda. Where herbal medicine fails to bring results, metallic medicine is used. It has a very strong curing power. Among other metals the metallic drugs largely make use of mercury. Therefore the use of metallic drugs requires great caution and accuracy. Metallic drugs can be taken by a patient only under the supervision of an expert physician. The metallic drug has power to produce wonderful therapeutic results. 7. Occult and Yoga
Indian philosophy as such is very rich in Occultism. Occultism is considered to be a significant medical philosophy. Occult is primarily concerned with motion, and it cures disease through sound