The Sushruta Samhita — trans. Bhishagratna

The application of an Anuvdsna-vasti is entirely forbidden in those cases inasmuch as it might make the disease run into an incurable type, and a great amount of lassitude of the organism would be the consequence. 14.

Medicine duly injected (through the rectum) with the help of a Vasti remains in the intestines (Pakv^s'aya), in the region of the pelvis and below the umbilical region. The potency of the Vasti (medicine) spreads over the whole organism from the intestines (Pakvds'aya), just as the potency of the water poured at the root of a tree tends to permeate the whole tree (through its minutest cells and fibres). The liquid part of the Vasti is emitted out through the rectum either by J itself or with the fcBcal matter, etc.*, but its potency acts over the whole organism through the intervention of the Apdna and the other Vdyus. The potency of the Vasti in the Pakvds'aya acts on the whole organism from top to toe, like the sun in the heavens acting on the humidity (Rasa)

* Stikantha Dutta in his commentary quotes this sloka, but he reads there "^^t^j" (with Kapha) in. the place of '*^;ff^" (with the foecal matter, etc.). The reading in the text, however, is preferable inasmuch 9s Kapha is included in Mala.

p. 596

of the earth below. The Vasti, if duly applied, tends to eliminate completely from the system all the Doshas (morbific diatheses) accumulated in the regions of the back, waist and the abdomen (Koshtha). 15-A.

As the aggravation of all the Doshas (morbific principles) of the body is principally dependent on the derangement of the bodily Vayu ; an aggravated condition of the latter may hence lead to the dissolution of the body, and consequently the application of a Vasti, and nothing else, is the only means of coping with the aggravation of the Vayu (by subduing and restoring it to its normal condition), just as the sea-coast is the only barrier to the swollen and wind-agitated surf of the sea. A well-applied Vasti contributes to the growth, health, strength and longevity of the body and to the improvement in its complexion. 15.

The different defects of a Vasti :— Now

A well-applied Vasti contributes to the growth, health, strength and longevity of the body and to the improvement in its complexion. 15.

The different defects of a Vasti :— Now we shall deal with the defects and the evil effects which are consequent upon the wrong and injudicious application of a Vasti. The defects of wrongly handling a Vasti (Prauidhaina-doslia) are six in number, viz., the pipe may shake or revolve ; it may also be pressed sidewise or thrown upwards ; and it may sink down or may be pressed slantingly. Excessive thickness, coarseness, bending down, narrowness, cleavage, nearness or distance of the tying bands (Karnikd), narrowness or excessive width of its internal aperture, excessive length or extreme shortness are the eleven defects which the pipe of a Vasti (Netra-dosha) maj^ have. The five objectionable features in the bladder (Vasti-dosha) are an excessive flabbiness, narrowness, width of its internal aperture, leakiness and an imperfect bending at its mouth (neck^ Variation in pressures put upon a Vasti (Enema syringe) during its application may be attended with any of the

Chap. XXXV.] CHIKITSA STHANAM. 597

four objectionable features (Pidana-dosha), viz., overpressure (pressing the injection into the rectum with an injuriously excessive force), under-pressure, repeated pressures and pressure at long intervals. The eleven defects in the ingredients of the Vasti (Dravya-dosha) are insufficient cooking, excessive or insufficient quantity, extreme coldness, excessive heat, extreme keenness of potency, excessive mildness, excess or want of oiliness (Sneha), extreme thickness of consistency and overfluidity. Lying with the head raised up or hung down or in a bent or sitting posture or resting on one's back or in a contracted posture or on one's right side are the seven defective postures (Say yai- dosha) in which a patient should never be laid during the application of a Vasti. These are the twenty-four defects which attend the wrong application of a Vasti owing to the ignorance or inexperience of a physician, while those which are the effects of the injudiciousness of a patient are fifteen in number and would be described in the chapter on Aturopadrava- Chikitsita (Chapter XXXIX, Chikitsita-sthdna). i6.

i6.

The Sneha injected into the bowels by a Vasti is obstructed in its passage and cannot consequently leave the system but is retained in it through any of the following eight causes, viz ^ obstruction of the food by the three Doshas, its admixture with the foecal matter (accumulated in the bowels), its being injected too high up into the intestines, an omission to foment (the patient's body), using the Sneha in a cold state or in a small quantity and lastly use of no meals or of scanty meals by the patient previous to the application of a Vasti. These (retentive conditions) are due to the indiscretion of both the physician and the patient. Nine distressing symptoms (Vydpad) namelyp. 598 as a defective application of either the Anuvdsana or the Asthapana Vastis, distension of the abdomen, (Adhmdna), a cutting pain in the region of the anus, (Parikartika) Dysenteric stools (Parisrdva), diarrhoea (Pravdhikd), affecting the heart (Hridayaopasarana), catching pain in the limbs, over-dosage, haemorrhage manifest themselves in consequence of any act of indiscretion of the physician in attendance. 17.

IVIemorable Verse :— The seventy six kinds of the distressing symptoms (Vydpad) have been briefly described above. Their symptoms and treatment would be described in the following chapter. 18.

Thus ends the Thirty-fifth Chapter in the Chikitsita Sth^nani in the Sub'ruta Samhitd which deals with the dimensions, classifications aid therapeutical applications of a Netra and a Vasti.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Now we shall discourse on the medical treatment of the mishaps which are consequent on an injudicious application of the pipe and of the vasti

(Nctravasti-Vaypach-Chikitsitam). i.