A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c46.200

v3.c46.200

Though the author’s main concern is therapeutics, the subject of nidāna is not neglected in this work. The treatment of most diseases is preceded by verses on their aetiology and symptomatology. Religious and astrological elements are quite common in Anantakumāra’s therapy,²⁹ but, broadly speaking, his work can be characterized as belonging to the mainstream of āyurvedic tradition since rasaṣadhas are nearly absent. Mercury is only rarely prescribed and opium seems to be unknown to the author.