ANCIENT AYURVEDIC AND MODERN METHOD OF PRESERVATION OF DEAD BODY

Dr. Dharamveer Choudhary*
1 Dr. Ved Parkash2 Dr. Munish Sharma3 Dr. Jyotsna4 Dr. Khushboo Bishnoi
P. G. Scholar, Dept. of Rachana Sharir, SGACS & H, Tantia University, Srigananganagr (Raj.), India.
2Assistant Professor, Dept. of Rog Nidan, SGACS & H, Tantia University, Srigananganagr (Raj.), India.
3,5P. G. Scholar, Dept of Swasthvritta and Yoga, SGACS & H, Tantia University, Srigananganagr (Raj.), India.
4M.D Schlors of Sharir Rachana department of Ayurvedic College, Tantia University, Sriganganager, Rajasthan.

ABSTRACT

Mahrishi Sushruta was an ancient surgeon (who was possibly born in 2th century BC) and he was the author of the
book Sushruta Samhita. According to Shusrutha to become a best physician & surgeon the dissection of the dead
body is very necessary. For dissection of the dead body preservation with a good method is necessary. According
to Ayurveda Sushruta was the father of Surgery. Dissection and preservation described by Sushruta in Sushruta
Samhita in brief. According to Acharya Charaka knowledge of Shuksam and Sathul Sharir is very necessary for the
Sharir Rachana. The theoretical knowledge learnt from the teacher & observed in the practical classes should be
supplementary to each other. An effort is made by collecting all available literatures in the Ayurvedic science, how
the body is collected, where it will be preservation, method of preservation etc. Modern preservation method is
different from the Ayurvedic method of preservation
KEYWORDS: Mahrishi Shusrutha, dissection, dead body preservation, Ayurveda.

INTRODUCTION

Charaka Samhita and Shusruta Samhita are the two basic
literature of Ayurveda. Mahrishi Sushruta was an ancient
surgeon. There are many evidence which proves that
Shusruta have lot of knowledge about Sharir Rachana in
details. Shusruta describes about the preservation and
dissection in details. Shusruta Samhita emphasized
surgical matters, including the use of specific instrument
and types of operation. It in his work that is finds
significant anatomical consideration of ancient Hindu.
There is also compelling evidence suggesting that the
knowledge of human anatomy was revealed by both
inspection of the surface of the human body and through
human dissection as he believed that student aspiring to
be surgeons should acquire a good knowledge of the
structure of the human body.

The advancement of surgery during ancient Indian
medical history is significant when considering the
obstacles that deterred the study of anatomy. According
to Hindu texts, the human body is sacred in death. Hindu
law states that no body may be violated by knife and
those persons under than 2 years of age must be
cremated in their original condition. Marishi Susurta was
however, able to bypass this decree and achieve his
remarkable knowledge of human anatomy by using a brush type broom, which scrapped off skin and flesh
without the dissector having to actually touch the warps.

There are some points which have important for
preserve a dead body(1)

• Dead body have all body parts.
• Death is not due to any long disease.
• Death is not due to poison.
• Dead body have age below the 100years

Presearvation material[2]

• Extreme cold rivers slow flowing water
• Bambu cage
• Munja
• Kusha (Dharbha)
• chal
• Kshan

Method of Preservation[3]

First of all dead body collected and then removed the
antargata mala (intestinal faecal). After that the dead
body banding with any one of Munja, Kusha (Dharbha),
chal, kshan, and covering with a cage. The cage with
dead body put into the cold slow river for 7days. After 7
days the body collected from the river

According to modern preservation method of dead
body introduction

Cadavers have on tribute to body science and medical
student often use cadavers to study anatomy cadavers ara
often used to verify surgical techniques before moving
on living patients. While many schools have morod to
using technology and surgical models to teach student.
Cadavers are still needed for hands on learning.
Appendectomies the removal of the appendix, are
performed 28000 times a year in united states and are
still practiced an human cadavers and not with
technology simulations. Gross anatomy a common
course in medical school studying the visual structures of
the body gives student the opportunity to have hands on
learning environment. The needs for cadavers have also
grown outside of academic programs for research.
Organization like science care and the anatomy hafts.
Registry help send bodies where they are needed most.

The methods of preserving cadavers have changed over
the last 200 years. At that time cadavers had to be used
immediately because there were no adequate methods to
keep the body form quickly decaying. Preservation was
needed in order to carry out classes and lesson about the
human body. Glutaraldehyde was the first main chemical
used for embalming and preserving the body although it
leaves yellow stains in the tissue, which can interfere
with observation and research.
Formaldehyde is the chemical that is used as the main
embalming chemical now. It is a colourless solution that
maintains the tissue in its lifelike texture and can keep
the body well preserved for an extended period.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE

1. To explore the knowledge of preservation of the dead
   body.
2. To know about the difference between the modern and
   Ayurvedic method of preservation.

Examples of preservation of dead body in past[4]

1. The Vedic period: There is reference regarding
   preservation of dead body of Raja Dasharatha in
   tailadrona.
2. Pyramids of Egypts: Pyramids of Egypt’s are
   known for the preservation of dead body before
   many centuries.

REVIEW OF LITERATURES[5]

Preservation of the dead body to safe to long time
because no effect and harm the body because easily seen
any structure is must to become a physician and surgeon.
Acharaya Susruta describes dead body preservation in
Sushruta Samita 5th chapter.
In modern the method of preservation is totally different
from the ayurveda method.

There are some points which have important for
preserve a dead body[6]

• That all the limbs are intact
• No injury present in the any part of the body.
• Death is not due to any long disease.
• Death is not due to intake of poison.
• Death is not due to any epidemic disease.
• Dead body after the process of post mortem not preserves.
• Dead body has age about 55-60years.

Purpose of Preservation

According to modern: to safe the body long time and
for easy seen any structure and any organs.

Preservation material[7]

• Carbolic acid or Phenol-1lt.
• Formaline-4lt.
• Glycerine-2lt.
• Spirit-3lt.
• Tarpentine oil-300ml
• Water-3lt.
• Staining fluid
• Red lead-200mg.
• Water-2lt.
• Pot
• Canula Thared
• surgical blad
• scalpel

Method of Preservation[8]

Firstly collect the dead body then put the body on the
dissection table in dissection hall in the supine position.
A pot filled with preservation fluid placed above the
surface of the dead body. Then fell or trace the inguinal
ligament in between anterior superior iliac spine and
pubic tubercle. See the femoral sheath after take a
incision below the 4 cm of inguinal ligament. In femoral
sheath femoral artery present in laterally and femoral
vein medially. A canula is fixed into the femoral artery
and transfers the preservation fluid from the pot into the
body through this canula and pass the fluid in body. 5-7
litres fluid required for the preservation of a single body.
We can confirm after prick the allpin on the various
point of the body for presence of fluid in all part of body.
We can preserves the dead body through the left
common carotid artery

DISSCUSSION

There are much evidence found in old texts which gives
knowledge about preservation and dissection of dead
body. Sushruta describes about the scientific method of
preservation and dissection. According to Susharata if
someone wants to preserve a dead body then firstly place
it in a slow flowing river water. Sushruta advice preserve
dead body which contains all body part so we can learn
about whole body. If dead occur due to chronic diseases

there may be changes in the internal or external part of
the body.
Sushruta also advise to don’t preserve body whose dead
occurs due to the intake of poison. Because there may be
decomposition due the poison in the dead body. Thus
one should preserve a body in which case natural death
occurs.
According to Sushruta with the help of kusha, khasha,
bark starts(done) the dissection of dead body after 7days
of preservation.
Sushruta also advice for don’t use of sharp end
instrument for the dissection. According to him one can
get detail knowledge with the help of bark, kusha khasha
in dissection.
According to modern science there are three method of
dead body preservation.

1. Saturated salt solution.
2. Formaline solution.
3. Thiel solution.
   These courses using cadavers have been performed to
   advance surgeons techniques without any risky patients.
   These methods are the suitable for specimen. In addition,
   the infection risk and cost involved in using cadavers are
   problems that need to be solved. This method had a
   sufficient antibiotic effect and produced cadavers with
   flexible joints and high tissue quality suitable. Its present
   the entry of putrefying organism.

CONCLUSION

Preservation of dead body is must for dissection.
Ayurveda and modern science both had explained about
the preservation in different ways. In ayurveda method of
preservation is simple and natural. In ayurvedic method
no chemical is used for preservation but in modern
method of preservation many chemical agent are used.
These chemical agents may be harmful effect and
decomposition on the dead body. Thus after this review
we can say that Ayurveda method of preservation is
natural and safe, simple we can preserve a body in
minimum cost with Ayurveda method of preservation.

REFERENCES

1. Sushruta Samhita of Maharsi- Susruta, hindi
   commentary by Kaviraja Ambikadatta Shastri, part1, Chaukambha Sanskrit Sansthan Varanasi, reprint
   edition, Sharir Sthana, 2014; 5/61: 66.
2. Sushruta Samhita of Maharsi- Susruta, hindi
   commentary by Kaviraja Ambikadatta Shastri, part1, Chaukambha Sanskrit Sansthan Varanasi, reprint
   edition, Sharir Sthana 2014; 5/61: 66.
3. Sushruta Samhita of Maharsi- Susruta, hindi
   commentary by Kaviraja Ambikadatta Shastri, part1, Chaukambha Sanskrit Sansthan Varanasi, reprint
   edition, Sharir Sthana 2014; 5/61: 66.

4. Ayurvedic Sharir Rachana Vigyan by Acharya
   Tarachand Sharma Nath Pustaka Bandar Rohtak, 2.
5. Sushruta Samhita of Maharsi- Susruta, hindi
   commentary by Kaviraja Ambikadatta Shastri, part1, Chaukambha Sanskrit Sansthan Varanasi, reprint
   edition, Sharir Sthana 2014; 5/61: 66.
6. Rachana Sharir Vigyan by Dr. Mahendra Choudhary
   part-1, Chaukambha Oriyantaliya Varanasi, reprint
   edition, 2016; 2: 29.
7. Rachana Sharir Vigyan by Dr. Mahendra Choudhary
   part-1, Chaukambha Oriyantaliya Varanasi, reprint
   edition 2016; 2: 30.
8. Rachana Sharir Vigyan by Dr. Mahendra Choudhary
   part-1, Chaukambha Oriyantaliya Varanasi, reprint
   edition 2016; 2: 30.