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ETHNO VETERINARY MEDICINE AND FOOD SAFETY IN ANCIENT INDIA
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Ethno Veterinary Medicine
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Before the advent of modern allopathic system of medicine, it seems possible that the healing art was almost the same throughout the world including India. This system of medicine has given the term ethno-medicine (when implied to human treatment) and ethno-veterinary medicine (in the context of animal treatment). In India, ethno-veterinary practices were in vogue since time immemorial. In ancient India, the Vedic literature, particularly Atharvaveda is a repository of traditional medicine including prescriptions for treatment of animal diseases. Scriptures such as Skanda Purana, Devi Purana, Matsya Purana, Agni Purana, Garuda Purana, Linga Purana, and books written by Charaka, Susruta, Palakapya (1000 BC), and Shalihotra (2350 BC) documented treatment of animal diseases using medicinal plants. Vedic texts also describe divine healing powers. Yajurveda cites importance of growth and development of medicinal plants and Atharvaveda mentions about the value of medicines in curing the diseases. Shalihotra undoubtedly appears to be the first veterinarian of pre-historic times. The ancient Indians were so apt with the knowledge of herbals, even Alexander acquired some of the skills used by Indians, particularly for treatment of snakebite.
Food Safety in Ancient India
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Although milk, fruits, vegetables, and grains formed bulk of their food, Vedic Indians were meat eaters. Slaughter of animals was more or less a sacrificial act. Goat and sheep meat were consumed by men and offered to their gods. During Rigveda, cow slaughter was banned. However, horseflesh was eaten occasionally at the time of religious sacrifice called Ashvamegha yagna. Dogs were used for hunting wild boars. In later Vedic period, meat eating was fairly common but killing of cow was a deadly sin. Vedic Aryans did not prefer fish while the Indus Valley people had a special liking.
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During Ashoka period, non-violence or ahimsa was a policy of the state but meat eating was not banned. Slaughterhouse was located at a distant place towards south of the palace and regulated by a superintendent. Pregnant or milking goat, sheep, pig, and piglets up to 6 months of age were banned from slaughter. Butchers selling meat derived from sick or dead animals and adulterated or spoiled meat were severely punished. This shows that meat science had a sound basis in ancient India.
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