DEVELOPMENTS IN INDIAN NOSOGRAPHY IN THE MADHAVANIDANA

Although Madhava's Rogaviniscaya commonly referred to as Madhavanidana, is largely based on earlier treatises, it has a stamp of its own, by virtue of its description of new diseases absent from earlier works. For instance, two diseases viz., 1) Sula 2) visphota are recognised as independent entities for the first time by Madhava. The description of the dosic type of Sula more extensive than that found in Susruthasamhitha is followed by a depiction of two varieties called Parinamasula and Annadravasula both unknown in aerlier medical treatises. So also, while visphota are only cursorily mentioned in the early Samhithas. Madhava confers an independent status on these group of applications. Credit goes to Madhava for having dealt with for the first time new diseases like amavatha, sitapitta, Amalapitta, Masurika, and yonikanda. Thus, in short, by identifying new diseases distinct from earlier Samhithas Madhavanidana stands out as a treatise of a class by itself testifying to positive contribution of Madhava to Indian Nosography.