Training of Physicians, Methods of Their Diagnosis and Cure in Ancient India

Abstract

This article presents a comprehensive exploration of the ancient Indian medical system, tracing its evolution from the magico-religious healing traditions of the Vedic period to the empirico-rational system of Āyurveda. The study emphasizes the interplay between heterodox ascetic traditions (such as Buddhism and Jainism) and Brahmanical orthodoxy in shaping the medical knowledge and practices in India. Renowned figures such as Sushruta, Caraka, and Jīvaka contributed to the codification of complex medical systems, including diagnosis, training methods, and therapeutic procedures like pañcakarma. The transmission of medical knowledge, rooted in divine mythology, evolved into an institutionalised academic discipline, particularly within Buddhist monastic settings. Diagnostic techniques such as pulse reading and sensory evaluation were remarkably advanced, while training methods combined rigorous theoretical learning with practical demonstrations. Treatment approaches addressed physical, psychological, and environmental health using detailed regimens involving surgery, herbal medicine, dietetics, and procedures such as enemas, nasal therapies, and fomentation. This article affirms that ancient Indian medicine was not only scientifically inclined but also holistic, systematic, and profoundly human-centred in its approach to health and healing.