The Classical Doctrine of Indian Medicine: Its Origins and its Greek Parallels c4.10

c4.10

The former retort that as it is impossible to carry out this replacement in a very short time, no matter how desirable, there is a danger in abandoning it to private initiative, generous but sometimes ignorant or imprudent. For example, mercurial medicines, used by the practitioners of the rasāyana-tradition, are toxic. Administered by a prudent practitioner, closely in touch with indications and dosages, they can be salutary. Otherwise, as is unfortunately proved by experience, they can give rise to grave nephritis or can be immediately fatal. As a precautionary measure their use can be prohibited, but they will still be sometimes used either surreptitiously or in ignorance of their real nature and the danger will not be entirely removed. Even medicines, made from non-toxic plants or from plants which are only a little toxic, can be harmful when not administered in proper measure. The most harmless can also, unduly prescribed, make one lose precious time which could, otherwise, have been utilised for efficacious treatment, which a more competent doctor, even Ayurvedic, could have begun. In brief, as Ayurvedic medicine exists without being immediately replaced, it should be better practised and not at random.