Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c6.s2.t2.5

v1.c6.s2.t2.5

anatomy, embryology and ophthalmology. The first rational approach to medicine is seen in the composition of *Carakasaṃhitā* and *Suśṛtasaṃhitā* when the indigenous medical philosophy that provided a theoretical foundation for etiology and treatment of diseases viz, the *Tridoṣa* theory evolved.¹ Along with the *Pañcamahābhūta*² theory, it reflected contemporary ideas of cosmology, elemental theory and its relation to the human