Traditional System Of Indian Medicine Ayurveda The Background

Author(s): V V Gokhle
Publisher: V V Gokhle

Page 12

finds itself today in India. It will be readily granted, that for the progress and utility of a scientific system a properly organized education and well-equipped research in that system is the first requisite. However, since the modern Western medicine had been recognized for over a hundred years by the British rulers as the only standard system of medicine in India, it was natural that that Allopathy, which represents the progressive medical science today, was being given all the support, encouragement and recognition by the Government of India, to the detriment of the traditional Indian and other systems. It is only since the Indian Independence that the Ayurveda is receiving specical attention and support from the State. Whether the theoretical Indian approach to medicine is appreciated or not, the practical value and utility of the Ayurvedic system could hardly be underestimated, because it has actually been serving the medical needs of nearly 80% of the population, particulary in the thousands of villages and small towns, where the easily accessible and cheap remedies in the form of herbs and indigenous chemicals have been all along successful in preserving the health of the Indian masses. But to keep pace with the modern scientific advances, it was found necessary, that the traditional Ayurvedic doctor (called Vaidya), trained privately in 'Sanskrit medical theory and indigenous pharmacopoeia, was also taught the use of thermometers, stethoscopes, microscopes, X'rays and advanced methods in surgery etc. 5. (i) Ayurvedic Training
-old and new
With this purpose in view, Ayurvedic Colleges were opened with the necessary adjuncts of large hospitals, where dissections and surgery could be taught to the students and indigenous medicines used and tested. The Ayurvedic Vaidyas were also duly registered as qualified doctors. The State of Maharashtra has taken considerable initiative in recognising and supporting the traditional medicine along with the modern Western medicine, and the other States in India, like Gujerat, Rajasthan, the Panjab and Madhya Pradesh have followed suit by establishing independent Faculties of Ayurvedic Medicine in their respective Universities. In the Uttar Pradesh, which had taken an early lead in this matter, the Lucknow University is going ahead with its ( 11 )
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