An Illustrated Text Book of Agada Tantra

PREFACE

I always wonder why the student find themselves in a state of uncertainty, lack of direction and approach at the time of examination as well as in clinical practice.

I think there are two reasons for this. First and most important reason in not understanding the basic concept of the clinical problem. The second reason is lack of proper text books.

This is a humble effort to generate such an interest towards practical knowledge in the treatment of the poisoning.

The sole interest of the book is to provide the essential contents of toxicology for undergraduates. Throughout the book care has been taken and the subject is presented in such a way that the fundamentals of the subject will be understood easily.

An attempt has been made to explain right from, history till clinical condition including origin, types, etiopathogenesis etc. of poisoning. Practical perspectives towards the diagnosis, investigations and management according to Ayurveda and contemporary science are also elaborated.

Number of diagrams, flowcharts and illustrations have been included wherever required for better understanding of the subject. I have reviewed various textbooks and journals in presentation of the book. I am a grateful to all those authors. Suggestions and criticism from readers will help me in improving this book in subsequent editions. I feel that my efforts are fruitful. If this is found to be useful by medical students and others concerned with toxicological matters.

My vocabulary is insufficient to express the gratefulness to Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade, president of S.D.M.E.S. AT these moments I extend my deepest gratitude towards our respected secretary Prof. S. Prabhakar and beloved principal Dr. Prasanna. N. Rao without whose inspiration the work would not have been succeeded.

I avail the opportunity to thank Prof. Dr. B. Srinivas Prasad and Prof. Dr. D. Lakshamanachari who showed the path and direction for a sincere work.

I am also thankful to my colleagues, student Dr. Chidanand Patwardhan and my computer engineer Mr. Subramanya.
Petty words are unable to convey even a fraction of gratitude and honour towards my parents, Ammaji, Swamiji. Their holiness is the polestar of my life.

Last but not the least my thanks to my wife Dr. Shilpa Sekhar for all her support.

Ayurveda, the Ancient Indian Medical Science, is rapidly gaining global acceptability as a highly effective Healthcare sys- tem. It is one of the most complex and intellectually challenging. among Professional pursuits, demanding as effective integration of one of the World's oldest systems of Medicine with the ad- vancements and needs of the current era.

Agada Tantra (Toxicology) was so highly developed during the early ages that it was given prime status, as one among the eight branches of Classical Ayurveda. It still continues to serve successfully Rural publications, especially in treating snake bites, in areas where Anti-venom is not readily available.

Learning Ayurveda without the knowledge of Sanskrit has become a difficult task for modern students. Though a strong working knowledge of Sanskrit is an essential requisite for a comprehensive understanding of Ayurveda, teaching Ayurveda through the English language can be effective and valuable first step towards Ayurvedic Education, especially for the beginners. This book is the first of its kind, where an effort has been made to bring out a volume on Agada Tantra in English, specifically de- signed to meet the requirements of the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) Syllabus norms.

In an appreciable and unique effort, the Author has com- piled the Ancient subject from the sources scattered throughout original Ayurvedic literature and has also systematically organised the data in the Textbook with a modern perspective.

Times have changed and advances have to be made accordingly, without comprising the fundamentals of Ancient Knowledge. New concepts may be introduced to enrich the science as well as to contribute to current Healthcare challenges. Environmental pollution and vast changes in dietary habit have led to gradual accumulation of toxins in the body, with potential long- term health hazards. Ayurveda has accorded high priority for this type of toxicity, and prescribes various therapeutic measures for detoxification, mainly Panchakarma. Incorporation of these modern toxic hazards and their treatment into the framework of Agada Tantra are topics which merit debate amongst experts in the field. Such studies will contribute significantly towards Healthcare of people of the current era as well as future generations.

This is need for many such books as this, in all branches of Ayurveda.