Concept of kaumarbhritya in sushruta samhita

Kaumarbhritya is one of the branch of Ashtang Ayurveda which deals with care of the infants, children; their diseases and management. Though Kashyapa Samhita is considered as the main text of Kaumarbhritya but it is not available completely. So, we have to go through Brihat Trayi to gain complete knowledge. Sushruta Samhita, is a part of Brihattrayi, created by Acharya Sushruta gives detail description of Ashtanga Ayurveda and placed Kaumarbhritya at 5th position in it. He mentioned it as a branch which describes the methods of bringing up the children, purification of breast milk of mother, diseases arising from taking the vitiated breast milk and their treatment. He has given description of Kaumarbhritya in Sharirasthana, 12 chapters of Uttartantra (from chapter 27 to 38) and some related topics are scattered in other Sthana of the Samhita. He has mentioned all the important concepts of Kaumarbhritya like Navjata Paricharya (care of new born), Stanyaguna, Stanyapanavidhi (breast feeding),t/t of Stanya Nasha, Shishu Poshana and Rakshana. According to Acharya the every effort should be made to protect the child from Grahroga and complication of Karnveda due to piercing in wrong area or puncturing Sira (vein). Shleshma increases during Balyavastha so use of Agni, Kshara and Virechana therapies should be avoided if very necessary these should be done mildly and slowly. Jalauka Avcharana is considered the most easy and convenient therapy in child, old age etc. The list of contributions of Acharya Sushruta is never ending and an attempt will be made to highlight the contributions and knowledge of Kaumarbhritya available in Sushruta Samhita in full paper..