Table of Contents

The Roots of AyurvedaList of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Author's Note

Introduction
The Historical Context
Classical Indian Medicine
The Choice of Texts
The Translations
Plant Names
Measures
Medical Terminology

Caraka's Compendium
Introduction to the Selections
On Not Suppressing Natural Urges
On Eight Sets of Three
On Hospitals
On Epidemics
On Heredity

Susruta's Compendium
Introduction to the Selections
The Use of Knives
Gaining Surgical Experience
Starting Out as a Surgeon
Plastic Surgery on the Ear and Nose
The Diagnosis of Embedded Splinters
The Extraction of Splinters
Blood and Bloodletting
On Breath and Wind
Rejuvenation through Soma
Safeguarding Food and Drink
Stationary Poisons

The Uses of Garlic (from the Bower Manuscript)
Introduction to the Selection
The Uses of Garlic

Kasyapa's Compendium
Introduction to the Selections
Lady Opulence the Demoness Child-Killer

Vagbhata's Heart of Medicine
Introduction to the Selections
Desiring Long Life
Daily Regimen
Seasonal Regimen
The Six Savours
The Science of the Humours
Lethal Points on the Body
On Insanity

Sarngadhara's Compendium
Introduction to the Selections
On Weights, Measures, and Definitions
Pulse, Omens, and Dreams
Introducing Medicine Through the Skin
On the Human Body

References
Vocabulary Index: Flora, Fauna, and Medical Terms
Index

About the Author

Dominik Wujastyk is Associate Curator for South Asian Collections at the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine. He is also Honorary Lecturer at University College, London. He has taught Sanskrit grammar and literature, and the history of classical Indian medicine and science.