Social and cultural context of medicine in India.

Social and Cultural Context of
Medicine in India explores the
relationship among illness, belief
systems and social life as well as the
similarities and differences in the
ways people perceive and cope with
health problems.
This work presents the history and
development of the medical system,
including various aspects of
allopathy, ayurved, yunani and
homeopathy in relation to the beliefs
and practices involved with prevention
and treatment of illness and injury
among various groups in the Indian
subcontinent.
Indigenous practices of curing and
healing; the training, organization,
case histories and practices of health
specialists; the role of disease and the
impact of education, socio-economic
and cultural factors on physical and
mental health are critically examined.
The discussions on the variety of
causes of illness, both natural and
supernatural include noxious
environmental agents, the disfavor
of the gods, intercession with the
spirit world-incurred perhaps by
unwitting offenses against them,
enmity of other persons, pollution
emitted by profane objects and
exposure to undesirable situations.
The fourteen valuable contributions
of distinguished scholars with decades
of extensive research in various parts
of India provide significant analyses
of socio-cultural context to the
concerns of administrators, planners,
politicians, medical and allied
professionals as well as social
scientists.