Susrut

Questions and Answers

1. What prompted Susruta to open his door at midnight?

Susruta was awakened by a frantic knocking at the door and heard an anguished traveller pleading for help.

2. Describe the condition of the traveller when Susruta opened the door.

The traveller was kneeling, with tears flowing from his eyes and blood from his disfigured nose.

3. What initial steps did Susruta take to treat the traveller's disfigured nose?

Susruta asked the traveller to wash his face with water and medicinal plant juice, gave him wine to numb his senses, and then measured the size of his nose with a large leaf.

4. How did Susruta perform the nose surgery on the traveller?

Susruta cut a strip of flesh from the traveller's cheek, transplanted it to the disfigured nose using two pipes, moulded the flesh into shape, dusted it with medicinal powders, and bandaged it.

5. What instructions did Susruta give the traveller after the surgery?

Susruta gave the traveller instructions on post-operative care, a list of medicines and herbs, and asked him to return after a few weeks for examination.

6. Why is Susruta recognized as the father of plastic surgery?

Susruta is recognized as the father of plastic surgery because his methods for reconstructing a disfigured nose are similar to modern plastic surgery techniques.

7. What is the significance of Susrutasamhita in medical history?

Susrutasamhita contains extensive medical knowledge and indicates that India was advanced in medical practices. It was translated into Arabic in the eighth century A.D., showing its influence.

8. How did Susruta contribute to the field of surgery apart from plastic surgery?

Susruta advocated the caesarean operation, removed urinary stones, treated fractures, and performed cataract operations. He also introduced concepts of asepsis and anaesthesia.

9. What innovative approach did Susruta use in naming surgical instruments?

Susruta named surgical tools after animals or birds they resembled, such as crocodile forceps and hawkbill forceps, a system still in use today.

10. What teaching methods did Susruta employ for his pupils?

Susruta emphasized the importance of knowing both theory and practice. He advised his pupils to practice on carcases and models before performing actual surgeries.

11. List some medical contributions made by Susruta as mentioned in the article.

Susruta classified worms that infect the human body, described the use of leeches for bloodletting, identified medicinal herbs, alkalis, and metals, and provided a vague classification of animals.