Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

Cooking the pulv with sugarcandy, boluses should be made. Such, boluses, in consequence of the contact with fire, are regarded lighter than the pulv. 142-145

Even this is the composition of the pulv called Taligadya. Unto' a patient whose flesh has been dried up and who has lost weight, the physician who is conversant with the ordinances (about treatment),, should administer in various forms the flesh of such birds as live upon flesh. Such flesh promotes nutrition and increases corpulency. H6

To one afflicted with phthisis, flesh of the peacock should be given, or flesh of the vulture, the owl, or the blue jay, properly dressed, telling the patient that the flesh is that of the peacock.# T47

The flesh of the crow should be given, telling the patient that it is that of the francoline partridge.

The flesh of snakes also should be given, telling the patient that it is that of the eel.

Fried earth-worms may be given, telling the patient that they are entrails of fishes. M8

The flesh of jackals of the variety called ‘LopSka,’ of fat Nakulas (mungoose), of cats, and of young jackals, well-cooked, should be given, telling the patient that it is the flesh of the hare that is placed before him.f *49

For increasing the flesh of the patient, the flesh of the lion, of the bear, of the hyena, of the tiger, and other carnivorous animals, should be given, telling the patient that it is the flesh of the deer. *5°

For ’increasing the patient’s flesh the physician should also give the flesh of the elephant, the rhinoceros, and the horse, cooking it with spices, and telling the patient that it is the flesh of the buffalo. 151

* ‘Gridhra’ and not ‘Godha’ is the true reading. The fact is, the flesh of the vulture may be repulsive. Hence, the physician, while giving it, should say that it is the flesh of the peacock. — T.

f ‘Lopaka’ is a variety of jackals, small in size. ‘Sthula-Nakula’ — fat Nakula^-may mean also the animal called ‘Bhama’ in Bengal. — T.

p. 159

CHARAKA-SAMHITA

125 6

The flesh of those animals which live On flesh, is regarded as the foremost of flesh-increasing diet.

The flesh of deer and of birds is especially beneficial in conse¬ quence of its being keen, hot,, and light. 152

Those kinds of meat that are disagreeable in consequence of the patient being unaccustomed to them, should be given under such names as may enable him to take them with ease. *53

For if the patient comes to know the truth, he will not take them on account of their repulsiveness; or, if he takes them, he is sure to throw them out. Mence the flesh of these animals should be given, after cooking them properly, telling the patient that they are flesh of some other animal which he will not regard as an abomination. !S4

The flesh of the peacock, or the francoline partridge, the hen, the goose, the boar, the camel, the ass, the cow, or the buffalo, is the foremost of all varieties of flesh that add flesh to a wasted patient. *55 In the lesson on Food and Drink (vide Lesson XXVII, Sutrasthlna, ante, p. 340), eight sources have been indicated of meat (that is edible). The physician possessed of learning should, after due consideration, give unto a person afflicted with phthisis the flesh that is proper for him. 156

Of the eight kinds, those called ‘Prasaha,’ ‘Bhugaya,’ ‘Anupa,’ ‘BSrija,’ and ‘Bfiricharin,’ should be given for food, in proper measure, to a phthisical patient in whom the wind predominates. 157

As regards those animals and birds that are called ‘Pratuda,’ and ‘Vishkira,’ and ‘Dhanwaja,’ their flesh should be given unto such phthisical patients in whose constitutions phlegm and bile predominate.* *58

* ‘Prasahas’ are animals which seize their food suddenly and forcibly, as lions, tigers, &c. ‘Bhmjayas’ are those that live in holes.

‘Anupas’ are those that live in marshy regions.

‘Barijas’ are those that live in water.

‘Baricharas’ are those that live and move on the surface of water.

•Pratudas’ are those that peck at their food.

•Vishkiras’ are those animals or birds which scatter dunghills, &c.,'with their claws, fer finding their food.

‘Dhanwajas’ include all amphibious animals. — T.

CHARAKA-SA mhita.

12-57Buly cooked, made agreeable and soft, and with flavour and relish added by proper means, these diverse kinds of flesh should be given to the patient to eat. J59

Of a person that takes only flesh for his food, and ‘Mldhwika’ wine for drink, that has his passions under control, and that has a mind which is pleased with the possession of few things, the phthisis does not remain long in his body. 160

Phthisis cannot long retain hold of a person who is in the habit of drinking the barm of ‘Varuni’ wine, who is accustomed to the outward cleansing of his body, and who never suppresses the urgings of nature. 161

After taking the kinds of flesh (mentioned above), the patient should take these for drink, viz., the liquors named ‘Prasanna,’ ‘Varuni,’ ‘£idhu,’ ‘Arishta,’ ‘Asava,’ and ‘Madhu,’ in measures that are assimilable.* 162