Critical Evaluation of Ayurvedic Shabda Pariksha (Sound Examination) In Diagnosis of Diseases WSR To Stethoscopic Auscultation

Abstract The various sound produced in the body are used as tools in the diagnosis of disease by ancient Ayurvedic acharyas. Acharya Charaka, in Vimansthana, had asked to examine the bowel sounds, joint crepitation and other peculiar sounds produced in the body such as cough and hiccups to diagnose the disease condition of that particular system. Apart from this ancient Ayurvedic scholars have described the typical sound produced in various disease conditions such as Maha Shwasa (Kussmaul’s breathing), Tamak shwasa (Bronchial Asthma), Krukaj Kasa (Whooping cough), Swarabheda (Laryngeal disease), Vakastambha (Tongue paralysis) causing Minminitva (Nasal speech) and Gadgadatva (Spastic speech), Ardita (Facial Palsy) causing Vaksanga (dysarthria). Sandhivata (Osteoarthritis) causing joint crepitations. Alasaka (Gastroparesis) causing abdominal gurgling, Apatantraka & Apatanaka (Tetanus) causing laryngeal stridor with loud audible wheeze. Sangrahani & Ghati Yantra (IBS) causing abdominal gurgling. Pandu (Anemia) causing tachycardia. In ancient times auscultation was done purely through ears and no any reference to stethoscope like devices is found in the ancient books. However, the picture depicting the sage Kashyapa auscultating the infant heart sound with hollow Papaya branch is available which could be world’s first prototype of stethoscope. The ancient Indian physicians used to directly apply the ear to the chest to hear the heart and lung sounds. The heart sounds, lung sounds and bowel sounds, were auscultated by keeping the ear in close contact with chest and abdomen respectively. Acharya Vinodlal Sen had described some heart lung sounds using this examination. With the advent of stethoscope by French Physician Rinne Lennec (1781-1836), auscultation has occupied the prime position as physical examination method in the diagnosis of the chest diseases to such an extent that it has become the symbol of modern day physician. It is observed and concluded that Auscultation as tool of examining the patient to diagnose the disease is very well mentioned in Ayurveda. Keywords – Shrawan , Auscultation, Shwasa , Kasa