Article,
Ophthalmic Surgery: A Chapter in the History of Sino-Indian Medical Contacts
Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, 63 (3): 370--388 (2000)
Abstract
Although in Chinese culture surgery has not usually been seen as a
major part of medical practice, during the Sui (A.D. 581--618) and
the Tang dynasties (A.D. 618--907), it showed a marked flowering
in the field of ophthalmology. Chinese historical records, popular
literature and medical works and compilations indicate that it was
closely related to Indian medicine. The origins of this transmission
can be traced to early Chinese Buddhist canonical literature. Chinese
and Indian ophthalmological works of the time are studied here, especially
ophthalmic diseases like pterygium, entropion or trichiasis and cataract,
which often call for surgical intervention as a way of giving curative
or palliative treatment. The texts reflect upon the origin, route
and nature of this transmission, and vividly depict the gradual introduction
of various aspects of surgery into Chinese medicine. Indian medicine
was thus a prominent contributor to the development of Chinese medicine
and, especially, surgery from the seventh century A.D. onwards.
