INTRODUCTION
The disease Switra was reported in ancient literature. Several references are found in the Vedas, regarded as one of the oldest written documents since the dawn of civilization. The word Switra has its root in the Sanskrit word Sveta, which means white patch 1 . So Switra is a disease where white patches appear on the body. The disease has got a special importance as it causes ugliness of the body. Probably keeping this in mind. Ayurveda described the disease along with Kustha. The diseases Switra can be equated with vitiligo. Vitiligo is a skin disease characterized by milky white patches with hypopigmented border due to failure of melanin formation. References to vitiligo are available in other traditions also. It is said that, by the touch of Jesus Christ, the vitiligo of a Palestinian was cured. It is mentioned in Persian history, that vitiligo was known in the period of Aushooryans in 2200 B.C. 12 .
Vedic Literature

In the
The occurance of this disease in Arab country and the efforts at its treatment are mentioned in Arabic literature. Koran the religious book of Islam written during 6
In the
Century A.D. described this disease as Bars and remarked that it can be cured by the grace of the Almighty 13.
In the
Behl, (1962) says that disease is an acquired idiopathic depigmentary condition found mostly in tropical countries like India, Egypt, Japan. In India vitiligo has assumed epidemic proportions in several parts of India 14 .
In the
The two terms leucoderma and vitiligo are used synonymously by most physicians, but a little bit difference exists between this two terminology. The world leucoderma is composed of two words leuco and derma. Leuco means whiteness and derma means skin. Therefore leucoderma is whiteness of the skin. But this whiteness of skin is due to burn or found after healing of wounds. The white patch may remain throughout life whereas vitiligo denotes the primary lesion of the disease.
In the
Any part of the body, any age group and any sex can be affected, but the sites of predilection ae the face, dorsa of the feet and hand, wrist and leg. As per age relation the disease is generally seen in the first decade of life and after menopause (Behl P.N.)
In the
Atharva Veda has stated four causative factors in case of Kilasa. They are as follows:

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