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Hindu Achievements in Exact Science: A Study in the History of Scientific Development c20.s1: (a) Osteology

Hindu Achievements in Exact Science: A Study in the History of Scientific Development c20.s1

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English

(a) Osteology

c20.s1.1

The anatomical system of the Hindus was almost modern. As Hoernle remarks: "Its extent and accuracy are surprising, when we allow for their early age—probably the sixth century B.C.—and their peculiar method of definition."

c20.s1.2

There are about 200 bones in the human body according to modern osteology. Charaka counted 360, and Sushruta 300. The former counted the 32 sockets of teeth and the 20 nails as separate bones. These were not admitted by Sushruta.

c20.s1.3

The additional 100 in Sushruta’s count, however, has to be explained. This large excess is principally due to the fact that, like Charaka, he regarded the cartilages and the prominent parts of bones (the modern “processes” and “protuberances”) as if they were separate bones.²³ In Europe the first *correct* description of the osseous system was given by Vesalius in 1543.

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