The most significant and extensive ancient compilation in the School of Medicine is known as the Charaka Samhita. It features numerous chapters that delve deeply into therapeutic and internal medicine. This invaluable document describes around 600 drugs of plant, animal, and mineral origin. Additionally, the compendium covers other aspects of Ayurveda, including anatomy, physiology, etiology, prognosis, pathology, treatment, and medicine.
Equally exhaustive is the ancient compilation known as the Sushruta Samhita, which is associated with the school of surgery. It primarily deals with fundamental principles and surgical theory. The document describes more than 100 types of surgical instruments, including scalpels, scissors, forceps, and specula, along with their uses. Dissection and operative procedures are explained, often utilizing vegetables and deceased animals. Descriptions of techniques such as incisions, excisions, extractions, and bandaging are detailed in this compendium. Additionally, this document covers topics like anatomy, embryology, toxicology, and therapeutics, and it mentions about 650 drugs.
Over time, Ayurveda, which initially had magico-religious roots, evolved into a fully developed medical science with eight branches that have parallels in modern Western medicine. The growth of these eight specialties led to Ayurveda being known as Astanga Ayurveda. In the past 50 years, during the development of teaching and training, Ayurveda has expanded to encompass sixteen specialties:
- Fundamental Principles of Ayurveda.
- Ayurveda Samhita.
- Anatomy.
- Physiology.
- Materia Medica & Pharmacology.
- Ras-shastra.
- Pharmaceuticals.
- Pediatrics.
- Obstetrics & Gynecology.
- Social & Preventive Medicine.
- Internal Medicine.
- Pathology.
- Surgery.
- Eye & ENT.
- Psychiatry.
- Panchkarma.