Medicine for 4448 Diseases - Palm Leaf Manuscript Edition and Study

4448 நோய்களுக்கு மருந்து – ஓலைச்சுவடி பதிப்பும் ஆய்வும்

Abstract

The palm leaf manuscript was used as a medium to record the thoughts and ideas of people in ancient society. A manuscript is prepared by processing palm leaves and writing on them with a stylus. Among the manuscripts written in this manner, those containing medical notes have been found in the greatest numbers. Generally, medical manuscripts describe various diseases and their corresponding methods of treatment. The medical notes conveyed in this manner tend to be expressed in an indirect and suggestive manner. This is presumably because the knowledge of these medical practices was intended to be passed down only to one’s own descendants, and therefore the meaning was conveyed in an implicit and coded way. Due to this situation, there is a need in the present day to properly understand medical manuscripts, edit them, and publish them. In today’s context, manuscripts have been neglected due to the overwhelming influence of the printing press. This paper aims to subject the literary treasures and medical notes buried within palm leaf manuscripts to scholarly study and analysis.