Bulletin of the Indian Institute of History of Medicine (Hyderabad)

A brief history of Indian alchemy covering the pre-vedic, vedic and Ayurvedic periods (Circa 4000 B.C. to 800 A.D.) was given in one of the previous issues of this Bulletin, i.e. Volume 23, NO.2, July, 1993, pp. 151-166. In continuation of the same, this article is presented here, giving an account of the development of the chemical knowledge in India during transitional and tantric periods (circa 800 A.D. to 1300 A.D.).

This article is a re-presentation of the important remarks of Dr. Edward Lawrie with regard to the Chloroform Commissions as found in the administrative report of the Nizam's Government for 1893-94. It seems that these remarks might have been presented by Dr. Lawrie to the Nizam's Government in the form of an annual report in 1303 Fasli. Though these findings were later proved to be wrong, but the value of Dr. Lawrie efforts will remain as a landmark in the history of medicine.

Ibn Al-Quff was born in Damascus. He learned medicine from Ibn Abi Usaibia. Ibn Al-Quff was excelled in medicine as well as in Surgery. He wrote several books, of which was "Al-Qumdah" (The Authority on Surgery). Another book was "Al-Shafi" (The Healer) on medicine. In the book "The Authority on Surgery", Ibn Al-Quff has devoted a special chapter, on the preparation of ethereal oils, which was commonly known as Al-Duhoun. He has described about 34 different oils together with their medical action.

The writings of the French travellers who visited Goa in the 17th century attest to the importance of Ayurvedic medicine, although the term Ayurvedic was never used at the time. The diseases affecting Goa were not different from those at every European trading post, and the remedies used were identical. However, at the end of the century, especially after 1685, Goa's population declined sharply, partly due to the precarious living conditions there, and also as a result of competition from the Dutch and English trading companies.

The Hyderabad Medical School which came into existence in 1846 A.D. was the fore-runner of Osmania Medical College. The medium of instruction was Urdu the degree was Hakeem. Last two decades of nineteenth century was the glorious period of this school. Seventh and the last Nizam of Hyderabad Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan established Osmania University in 1919 A.d. and in the following year the Hyderabad Medical College. In 1957 A.D. Hyderabad became the Capital of enlarged Andhra Pradesh. Tremendous zeal and enthusiasm was evident to achieve alround progress in medical education.

Vastuguna Dipika is a Nighantu Grantha written in Telugu language on Ayurvĕda drugs, diets and deeds in an alphabetical order in Telugu language and it is a much popular book for more than a century. Yerra Venkata Swamy (retired district Munsif) has authored and published it on 23rd June, 1883 A.D. It is a period of printing facility introduced in India. It is edited and reprinted eight times by the successors of same "Yerra" family during a period of century. The subject content of the book has been slowly updated from edition to edition. Vastuguna Dipika comprising of 1148 pages in written. Drug like Coffee, Cabbage have been elaborately dealt with Ayurvĕda viewpoint. Certain drugs like Lasuna, Haridra also have been dealt very elaborately. In this book several drugs are grouped according to action and indications. Mineral drugs and mercurial preparations are also dealt in detail. Along with the properties of drugs and diet the properties and uses of certain routine deeds like bathing, sleeping exercise etc; are explained in the book. An alphabetical index of diseases in English in found along with the alphabetical indices of drugs in English, Telugu and Sanskrit languages.