| Description |
Indian medical practices are of particular interest in our day, partially due to the growing trend of outsourcing. Outsourcing now extends even to medical procedures, in the,form of medical tourism. These practices are the result of India's long history of relationships with many different cultures and societies. Among these, the British colonial period stands out as a defining period in Indian medical history. This paper focuses on Madras, which was an active site in the development of British medicine in India. The first thirty years of the twentieth century were a time of change in the greater political atmosphere of India, and these shifts in political thought influenced all areas of Indian thought and practice. The institution of the hospital is the vehicle of medical practice, and changes in culture, politics and rule have greatly affected its development. Its structure and policies reflect contemporary attitudes. British control in India extended to almost every sector of knowledge, and was particularly pervasive in the health arena. In striving to control health, British officials first sought to learn from Indian practices, then ostracized them, and later attempted to reincorporate them into Western medicine. Indian nationalists refused to recognize these efforts, and sought largely to empty India of the British influence. The competing interests led to recommendations for a balanced and inclusive relationship between Indian and Western medicine in India. Despite ostensibly good intentions, India is still striving today for this balance. |
