Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

Professor H. Jacobi, Bonn University, Germany: — The work you have undertaken will interest Sanskritists as well as medical men who care for the history of their science.

I shall not fail to draw the attention: of some eminent physicians whom I know personally, to the ancient work of Charaka. ,

Herr. R. Garbe, Prinzenstram Konigsfiurek, Germany .-—English translation of Charaka Samhita is,* perhaps, at least from an historical point of view, the most important work of the medical literature of your country.

Sir Alfred Croft, M. A., C’ I. E., Director of Public Instruction, Bengal .—I have been greatly entertained as well as edified by the examination, in part IV, of all ftie things which a man shall not do. A layman can understand the precepts and such a guide to life, . cannot be other than valuable.

ABSTRACT OF CONTENTS

PART XXXVII.

This part contains much that is highly interesting and deserving of close study.

‘Chikitsasthana’ (Treatment of Disease) is regarded as the cream of Charaka’s great treatise.

The part presented dwells upon the treatment of Fever, ‘Raktapitta’ (haemorrhage caused by excess of bile\ and ‘Gulma’ (abdominal tumours).

Fever is a disease which is as old as humanity. It has been noticed in the medical treatises of every age and every country.

It is really wonderful that the Rishis of ancient India found out so many infallible recepes for this disease. The observations on Fever and its classifications will amply repay perusal. The charac¬ teristics of Fevers that prove fatal have been laid down accurately. The days on which death takes place, as indicated by the Rishi, will be seen to coincide with modern experience.

‘Raktapitta’ is a disease that has been separately noticed in Ayurveda. It is not prominently mentioned by the medical science of the west. Its claim to be treated separately from ordinary haemorrhage has been fairly established by the Rishis. The remedies they have prescribed are very generally successful.

‘Gulma’, too, is a disease which is reserved for the Kavirajes of India to treat successfully. Western therapeutics leave it generally to Surgery. It is really a matter of which the Indians ought to be proud that their physicians cure it by compositions discovered thou¬ sands of years ago.

CHARAKA -SAM BIT A.

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If, notwithstanding this treatment, the fever, in consequence of the weakness of the ‘dhatus’ of the body, becomes mature (or chronic) and continues (without abating), 290-294

The physician should then treat the stricken person with such diet as is strength-giving and nourishing.

In fevers called Tertian and Quartan, treatment that is ordinary should be followed. It is very generally the case that in Intermittent fevers, companionship of spirits, &c., is noticeable.*

That Intermittent fever in which the wind predominates should be conquered by means of . medicated ghees , oily enemata, and such food and drink as are oily and heating. - n

By purgatives, by milk (properly medicated), and by ghees prqT perly corrected (by the addition of needful, drugs), 295-297 as also by articles that are bitter and cooling, Intermittent fever hf’- which the bile predominates should be subjugated. \

Emetics, ‘pSchanas’, food and drink that are dry, and . fasts, and things that are astringent and heating, are regarded as beneficial In Intermittent fevers .characterised by a predominance of phlegm.

Some combinations, highly beneficial, I shall now lay down, that are alleviative of Intermittent fevers. 298-299

These should be applied by the intelligent physician after duly ascertaining the faults and other characteristics. Wines with ‘.manda’ for drink, (the meat of) fowl for eating, and also (of) partridges and peacocks, should be given in Intermittent fever.f

Or, the patient should drink the ghee called ‘Shatpala’ or, he should take (the decoction of ‘Abhaya,’ chebulic myrobalans) ; or, the decoction of the three myrobalans (viz., Chebulic, Emblic, and Belleric) ; or, the decoction of Guduchi ( Tinosfora cordifolia).%

* The sense seems to be this : there are two methods of treatment, viz.; I. that dependent on fche propitiation of the deities, &C-, and 2. that dependent on the exercise of reason. These are called ‘Daivavapagrayah’ and ‘Yuktivapagrayah’- Tertian and Quartan ■fevers fall under the class called ‘Intermittent’. In such fever, ‘Agantu’ or ‘Bhutabhisanga’, 4. e., companionship of evil spirits, &c., is generally seen. Hence, the second method of treatment, viz., that dependant on reason, will not do. It should be supplemented by the first, viz. , that dependant on propitiatory rites aaad sacrifices, &c., — T.

+ ‘Manda’ generally means the thick portion of an infusion. The fact is, infusions are strained through a piece of cloth. The watery portion goes down, while the thick portion is retained in the cloth. This fast is called •‘Manda’.

t ‘Rasam’ implies juice. Hence, it may mean either ‘Swarasa’ or decoction. The former is the expressed juice of any drug. — T.

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’CHARAKA-SAMHITA.