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The
different branches of Ayurveda are :
Salya Tantra
Any foreign matter that gets lodged into a
human body and causes pain to it may be
called a Salya and Salya Tantra
means that portion of Medical Science that
deals with Salyas. This branch consists of
Surgery and Midwifery. In this section the
methods of removing foreign bodies such as
particles of stone or earth, dust, iron
pieces or fragments of grass, bones,
splinters, nails, hairs clotted blood, or
condensed pus, from the body. Methods of
handling delivery cases, methods to bring
about safe parturitions in cases of false
presentation and methods of using surgical
instruments, of applying cauterize with the
help of fire and alkaline substances (kshara),
of applying bandages, of treating wounds and
ulcers, and of treating various diseases
that ensue surgical operations.
Salakya Tantra
This consists of diagnosis and treatment of
diseases, which are restricted to the head
(the part above the clavicles) and neck such
as the ears, the eyes, the mouth, the
nostrils etc.
Kaya Chikitsa
This consists of the diagnosis and treatment
of general diseases i.e. diseases affecting
the entire body such as fever, diarrhea,
haemoptysis (Hemorrhage), insanity, hysteria
(epilepsy), leprosy and other skin diseases,
tuberculosis, diabetic etc., instead of
being simply restricted to any specific
organ or to any particular region of the
body.
Bhuta vidya
This branch deals with incantations and
modes of exorcising the evil spirits and
making offerings to the Gods, Demons,
Gandharvas, Yakshas, Rakshas etc., for
curing diseases originating from their
malignant influences. These demonical
possessions were originally understood to be
so many phases of deranged faculties of the
mind or mental diseases and hence medicines
are also prescribed in this action along
with hypnotic treatment. Bhuta Vidya is
almost equivalent to Psychotherapy and
Hypnotism of the modern age. With the decay
of the glorious Ayurvedic era, the ignorant
masses began to regard the Mantrikas or
Psychotherapists as enchanters and devil
worshipers. Even though this subject appears
to be novel and interesting to the people of
this age, the truths are conveyed by our
forefathers - the sages and seers of
yore-who are considered to be the pioneer
teachers of the world.
Kaumara Bhritya
In this are described the treatment of the
diseases of children as well as their
nursing - the method of the correct nursing
and bringing up of children. In the case of
infants several diseases may occur owing to
the defect and default in the mothers' milk
upon which it feeds. In this case the mother
also is to be treated for the benefit of the
child. This treatment also is involved in
this division.
Agadatantra
In this is described the treatment of
snake-bite, Rabies, Rat-bite, stinging by
scorpions, and other poisonous infections,
caused by the biting of animals and germs.
It also deals with the microbic infection
through air and water. Poison which enters
the body through food, through wounds caused
by the twigs of poisonous trees also are
dealt with and treatments given.
Rasayana Tantra
This is the part dealing with preservation
of youthfulness and prolongation of life as
also preservation of strength, memory power,
brain power and the power of all the sensory
organs.
Vajikarana Tantra
This is the science of preserving and
restoring the reproductive power. For those
in whom semen has decreased, vitiated, or
dried up, this part gives the necessary
treatment for its increase, and purification
thereby imparting sexual vigor.
These divisions reveal how orderly and
comprehensively have the ancient sages
depicted the truths, which they have found
out. It may be very difficult to find out
any other medical history that has so
meticulously drafted the divisions
accordingly.
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