Tamil Medical Books Published in Sri Lanka - A Study

இலங்கையில் வெளிவந்த தமிழ் மருத்துவ நூல்கள் - ஓர் ஆய்வு

Abstract

It can be understood that medical books have originated in Sri Lanka since the time of Pulasthiyar, who was the grandfather of Ravana. However, during the period of the Jaffna Tamil kings Pararājasēkaranmman and Sekarājasēkaranmman, many Tamil medical books were composed. The great medical texts “Pararājasēkara Vaithiyam” and “Sekarājasēkara Vaithiyam” were created during this period. From the mid-nineteenth century onwards, medical books that existed in palm leaf manuscripts began to be published in print. Among those who published Tamil medical books in print, S. Thambimuthupillai of Achuveli and I. Ponnaiyahpillai of Ezhaalai are noteworthy. The Tamil medical books published in Sri Lanka are not only general medical texts but also specialized medical works related to ophthalmology, pediatrics, snake bite treatment, obstetrics and other specialized medical fields. From this study, it becomes clear that Tamil medicine in Sri Lanka has excelled and flourished in various branches of medicine.