Medico-historical study of "Kilasa" (vitiligo/leucoderma) a common skin disorder.
The earliest known reference to Kilăsa was in 2200 B.C. in the period of Aushooryan. In 1550 B.C. information regarding Vitiligo was noted in the Ebers Papyrus. Atharvavĕda also carries the description of the disease Kilăsa along with several herbal prescriptions. Buddhist literature (Pĭtikăs) especially Vinaya Pĭtika carries the description of Kilăsa. Old Testament also carries the description of white spots i.e. in the Leviticus chapter 13. In ayurvĕda the word Kuşţa was used for all types of skin diseases. Both Kilăsa and Switra are mentioned together in ayurvĕda because of similarity in their aetiology. Kilăsa is also called as Băhya (external) Kuşţa. It is classified into three types based on three Dŏşăs. Prognosis of the disease was also described in ayurvĕda. This disease can be compared with Vitiligo/leucoderma in modern medicine. The Roman Physician Celsus first coined the term Vitiligo in the 2nd Century A.D. This article carries medico-historical references of Kilăsa from ancient to modern literature.
Prasad
P V V
PV
Indian Institute of History of Medicine, Osmania Medical College Building, Putlibowli, Hyderabad 500095.
Bhatnagar
Vinod Kumar
VK
D049690:History, Ancient; D007194:India; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic / Q000266:history*; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000266:history*