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Medical Ethics in Ancient India : 81
eternal happiness of the patient, the nurse and the doctor, and the building up of a sane society.
It must be noted that the ethical principles and moral admonitions are incorporated into, and form part and parcel of, the body of such authoritative ancient medical texts as the Caraka Samhitā, the Suśruta Samhitā and others. In contrast, most of the texts of modern medicine are totally devoid of ethical instruction. Nor does Ethics form a part of the curriculum in modern medical education. The ancient system of incorporating ethics into medical education is worthy of adoption in modern times. This suggestion becomes all the more relevant in view of the fact that now a days there is seen a sharp decline in professional ethical behaviour. Let the modern medical men be reminded that “no greater opportunity, responsibility or obligation can fall to the lot of a human being than to become a physician. In the care of the suffering, he needs technical skill, scientific knowledge and human understanding. He who uses these with courage, with humility, and with wisdom, will provide a unique service for his fellow men and will build an enduring edifice of character within himself. The physician should ask for his destiny no more than this, he should be content with no less.":23
References
1. Jyotir Mitra, "Religion and Medicine". Lecture delivered at the 17th
Biennial function of 'Ayurveda; Vijayavada, Andhra Pradesh. 2. Commentary of Chakrapani on Caraka-Samhitā Sūtra, 8 : 17
Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi 1984. 3. Caraka Samhitā, Sūtra 8.: 17-18 4. Vāgbhațța, Aștānga HỊdaya, Sūtra 2: 48. New Delhi: Motilal
Banarasidass 1990) 5. Kalyāņa Kāraka, 7: 32; Sakharam Nemchand Granthamala, Solapur,
1940.
6. Ibid. 7: 36
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