The Sushruta Samhita — trans. Bhishagratna

— In the cavity

* Such as expansion, flexion, lowering down ancj lifting up or lateral thrusting of any part of the body.

Chap. I.] NIDANA STIIANAM. 5

of the Stomach (Amashaya) the deranged or aggravated Vayu gives rise to vomiting, vertigo, epileptic fits, thirst and pain at the sides (Pars'va Sula) and about the region of the heart (Hridgraha). In the intestines (Pakvashaya) the enraged or disturbed Vayu gives rise to a rumbling in the intestines, a piercing pain about the region of the umbilicus, scanty and painful urination and stool, or their entire suppression (Andha), and pain about the region of the coccyx (Trika). 13 — i 5. Similarly, incarcerated in the sense-organs, such as the cars, etc. it tends to deprive them of their respective faculties. In the .skin (lymph chyle) it produces a discolouring of the complexion, parchedness and twitching in the skin, and causes a complete local anaesthesia, giving rise to a tingling, piercing pain in the skin, which spontaneously bursts, or becomes marked with cracks and fissures. Similarly, the aggravated Vayu interfering with the principle of blood gives rise to ulcers. In the flesh, it produces painful nodes and tumours (Granthi), while in the principle of fat it brings on almost painless tumours (Granthi) unattended with any kind of ulcer. Incarcerated in the veins &c. (Sira) it produces a stiffening or painful contraction, or a varicose or neuralgic condition ; in a ligament (Sndyu), it produces numbness (anaesthesia), palsy, aching pain and convulsive jerks ; in a long joint, it tends to deprive it of its contractibility and produces a painful inflammatory swelling (about the affected part). In the bones it produces a wasting (atrophy) of the bones which crack and begin to spontaneously burst, attended with the characteristic bone-ache. Again in that important principle of life, the marrow, it tends to dry it up and produces a sort of pain, extending all over the body which knows no respite or abatement. Similarly, in the principle of semen it tends to produce a scanty,p. 6 defective, or excessive emission of that vital fluid, or a complete stoppage thereof. i6 — 23.

Similarly, in the principle of semen it tends to produce a scanty,p. 6 defective, or excessive emission of that vital fluid, or a complete stoppage thereof. i6 — 23.

The Vayu, thus disturbed and agitated, affects in succession the lower and the upper extremities of the body, and the head, or extends all over the body and deranges all its root-principles (Dhatu). The symptoms, which mark such conditions of the body, are numbness (paralysis), convulsive contortions of the limbs (Akshepa), anaesthesia, and various kinds of pain(Sula),and swelling (Sop ha) of the body. The deranged Vdyu, having entered the natural seats of the Pittam or Kapham, develops symptoms, which are peculiar to either of them, and gives rise to numerous diseases. 24 — 25.

The symptoms, which characterise the union of the deranged Vayu with the Pittam (in its particular seat) are a burning sensation, heat, thirst, and loss of consciousness, in addition to the symptoms of the Vataja disease so generated in that particular part of the body, while a similar unison with the Kapham develops coldness, swelling and heaviness (o( the affected part). The disturbed or agitated Vayu in unison with the principle of blood gives rise to a sort of pricking pain (pins and needles in the affected locality), which can not bear the least touch, or is marked by complete anaesthesia, and symptoms, peculiar to the deranged Pittam, follow in its train. 26 — 28.

Vomiting, and a burning sensation, etc. in the body, mark the instance when the Prana Vayu is surcharged (Avrita) with the Pittam ; while weakness, lassitude, somnolence and a general discolouring of the complexion ( D. R., — loss of taste) characterise a case when it is surcharged with the deranged Kapham A burning sensation in the body, loss of consciousness or epileptic fits, and a sense of giddiness (vertigo) and

Chap. I.] NIDANA STllANAM. 7

physical languor are the indications, which distinguish a case of the Udana Vayu being surcharged with the Pittam ; while a stoppage or absence of perspiration, appearance of goose-flesh on the skin, impaired digestion, coldness and numbness of the affected part characterise a case of the same being surcharged with the Kapham. 29—32.

29—32.

Copious flow of perspiration, heat with a burning sensation in the body, and epileptic fits indicate a case when the Samana Vayu has become united with the Pittam ; while a copious flow of stool and urine, and an excess of mucous secretion (Kapham) from the nose (fluent coryza) etc. and horripilation mark a case, where it has become saturated with the Kapham. 33 — 34.

Heat and a burning sensation in the affected part and a profuse mcnorrhagia mark a case when the Apana Vayu becomes surcharged with the Pittam, whereas a sense of heaviness in the lower limbs characterises a case when it becomes overcharged with the Kapham. 35—36.

[Symptoms such as,] burning and jerking in the limbs, and a sense of physical languor become manifest in the event of the Vyana Vayu being surcharged with the Pittam, while a general heaviness of the limbs, stiffness or numbness of the bone-joints, and an incapability of locomotion indicate the fact of its being surcharged with the Kapham. 37—38.

The Nidanam of Vsita Raktam :—

An over-indulgence in grief, excessive sexual intercourse, inordinate physical exercise, drinking large quantities of wine, observance of a regimen of diet and conduct in a particular season of the year which is improper to it, use of articles of food which are not congenial to one's own temperament and an improper or

^ THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. I.

baneful use of such oleaginous substances (as oil, clarified butter etc.) are the factors, which vitiate in common the blood and Pittam of a person. The foregoing causes especially tend to vitiate or agitate the Vayu and blood in persons of delicate constitutions, or in corpulent persons, or in those who observe a form of perfect continence. 39.