Bala Veda: Pediatrics and Ayurveda

by V.B. Athavale

This book gives the basic principles of Ayurveda in short. Bala-veda mentions how the couple should plan for better progeny. The planning starts before the marriage by selection of appropriate life partner. It gives guidelines for the regimen to be followed by the couple and particularly the wife during menstrual period of life, intercourse, pregnancy and delivery. It gives conditions of foetal malnutrition and how to correct them.

Balaveda gives guidelines for care of the newborn and mother after delivery. It explains as to how the various factors like diet, activity and psychological conditions of mother affect and vitiate her breast milk which in turn gives rise to various ailments in breast fed babies. It also tells that in these conditions one should give the medicines to mother and advise her appropriate diet so that her milk becomes normal and the baby's symptoms disappear.

Balaveda gives the qualities of milk of cow, buffalo, goat etc. which can be used as alternative to breast milk. Balaveda describes various diseases associated with dentition. It also gives guidelines for inculcating good habits and manners in children.

The book describes in short the peculiar diseases which affect children and mentions their treatment. It gives principles of treatment in children e.g. how to modify the dose of drugs in children and what medicines and procedures should be avoided in children.

About the Author:

Dr. V.B. Athavale M.B.B.S., D.C.H., M.D. (Paed.), M.A.M.S., F.A.M.S., and Vaidyacharya is a renowned Paediatrician, and a prolific author who has several noteworthy achievements to his credit.  He did his M.B.B.S. from Grant Medical College and Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals, both in Mumbai, stood first inj D.C.H. (C.P.S.) 1956, and completed M.D. (Paed.) in 1958.  He was offered the UNICEF Fellowship in 1965, when his paper was read during the International Paediatric Conference held at Tokyo.  He was also chairman of the workshop on 'Herbal Medicines for Health for the developing Countries', which was held at Bangkok in the year 1981. 

Dr. Athavale worked as an Honorary Professor and Head of the Department of Paediatrics, L.T.M.G. Hospital, Sion, Mumbai during 1970 to 1990 and was recognized for his various accomplishments for which he has been bestowed with honours and awards, both National and International. 

V.B. Athavale Research Foundation has been founded as a mark of respect and gratitude to Dr. Athavale when he retired after 30 years of selfless service as Hon. Professor and Head of the Department of Paediatrics, L.T.M. Medical College and L.T.M.G. Hospital, Mumbai.