The book “Hindu Medicine” by Heinrich Robert Zimmer offers a comprehensive exploration of the ancient medical traditions of India, delving into the rich tapestry of practices, beliefs, and methodologies that have shaped Hindu medicine over millennia. Zimmer meticulously examines the intertwining of medicine with spirituality, philosophy, and daily life in ancient Hindu society, providing readers with an in-depth understanding of how these elements coalesce to form a holistic medical system.

Central to Hindu medicine is the concept of the three humors—phlegm, gall, and wind—which are believed to maintain bodily health when in balance. Zimmer discusses how ancient Hindu physicians employed all five senses in diagnosis, utilizing auditory cues to assess breathing and vocal changes, and tactile examination to detect abnormalities such as the grinding of fractured bones. Prognosis often extended beyond the physical symptoms, incorporating omens and environmental factors, reflecting a worldview where health was influenced by both corporeal and cosmic elements.

Therapeutically, Hindu medicine emphasized a combination of dietetics and medicinal treatments. Diet was considered foundational, with specific guidelines on meal frequency, composition, and the use of condiments to promote health. Medicinal interventions included the “five procedures”: administration of emetics, purgatives, water enemas, oil enemas, and sneezing powders. The materia medica was predominantly plant-based, with texts like the Charaka Samhita documenting 500 medicinal plants, and the Sushruta Samhita noting 700. These works highlight the extensive knowledge and utilization of indigenous flora for therapeutic purposes.

Surgical practices in ancient Hindu medicine were notably advanced. Zimmer details procedures such as tumor excision, abscess incision, fluid drainage, foreign body extraction, and wound suturing. The selection and use of surgical instruments were meticulously described in classical texts, underscoring a sophisticated understanding of anatomy and surgical techniques. This surgical proficiency, combined with a holistic approach to health that integrated hygiene, diet, and spiritual practices, exemplifies the depth and complexity of Hindu medicine as portrayed in Zimmer’s scholarly work.