ABSTRACT
As Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya is a text that integrates Ātrēya and Dhanvantari schools of Ayurveda, surgery is given a prominent position in the text. Sūtrasthānam devotes six chapters to describe venesection, extrication of foreign bodies, surgery, cauterization and the instruments required for performing these measures. Chapter 25 describes the 34 blunt instruments that are used in surgery. Chapter 26 deals with 26 sharp instruments which can be used in performing 12 actions related to surgery. Leeching and multiple puncturing are also described in this chapter. Chapter 27 is devoted to venesection. Arrows, sharp objects and pebbles that get lodged inside the body can also be considered as dōṣa in one way, as they vitiate the body. Nevertheless, they cannot be extricated with administration of medicines. The removal of these foreign bodies is described in Chapter 28. Information on qualities of a surgeon, surgical procedure, suturing of operated parts, bandaging and dressing of wounds, wound healing formulations, foods that enhance healing of wounds and behavioral restrictions are detailed in Chapter 29. Finally, various aspects of chemical cautery and thermal cautery are described in Chapter 30.
