Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

Kayastha (otherwise called Kâkoli, i. e., a bulbous root of the onion tribe brought from the Himalayas), Mudga ( Phaseolus Mungo ) born in autumn, Musta (the tubers of Cyperus rotundus), Ushira ( Andropogon muricatum ), barley, and Vyosha (or the three acrids, i. e., dry ginger, the fruits of Piper longum, and black pepper), should be pounded together with the goat’s urine into a paste. Sticks should then be formed of it. These sticks are like ‘Amrita’ (nectar) in epilepsy, Insanity, snake-bite, in afflictions caused by poison, in cases of persons that have drunk poison, as also in cases of suspension of animation in consequence of drowning.f 44-45

Musta (the tubers of Cyperus rotundus'), Vayahstha (the fruits of Terminalia Bellerica), the three myrobalans, KSyasthS (the fruits of {Phyllanthus Emblica), assafcetida, green grass {Panicum Dactylon species), Vyosha (the three ac-rids, viz., dry ginger, the fruits of Piper longum, and black pepper), Masha (the seeds of Phaseolus Roxburghii) and grains of barley, should be pounded into a paste with the urine of the goat, the sheep and the ox.

Sticks should then be made of the paste thus prepared. These sticks are used in epilepsy, in leucoderma, in Insanity, and in inter¬ mittent fever.J 46-47

(The sticks should be used for purposes of collyria).

The bile of the dog, taken under the asterism called Pushya (the eighth lunar asterism), cures epilepsy (when administered as a collyrium).

* This cerebral purgative is called a ‘Pradhamana,’ that is, it is administered with the aid of a blowing tube. — T.

t These sticks are intended for use as collyria.— T.

J It will be seen that fruits of Phyllanthus Emblica and Terminalia Bellerica have been mentioned separately, although ‘Triphala,’ meaning the same two with chebulic myro¬ balans, has been mentioned. Gangadhara explains that two parts of each of these two should* be taken, — T.

p. 163

p. 1288

CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

The same article, taken under the same asterism, mixed with (old) ghee forms an excellent expedient for fumigation (of one afflicted with epilepsy). 48

Taking the down, the feathers, and the dung of the mongoose, the owl, the cat, the vulture, the scorpion, the snake, and the crow, pound them together and make sticks of the paste. They are good expedients wherewith the physician should fumigate patients afflicted with epilepsy.* 49

By the aid of these operations, which are all well-tested, the heart of the epileptic patient becomes awakened. His ducts also become freed (from the faults that obstruct them). In consequence of this, he regains consciousness and memory. 5°

When the physician sees the Accidental to be conjoint and put¬ ting forth an aspect that is graver than (that of) the symptoms of (excited) faults, he should then adopt the treatment that is laid down for Accidental Insanity.f Si

After this, Agnivega joining his hands, said this :

O holy one, before this, in the Division on Aphorisms, you spoke of that severe disease which is called ‘Atattwabhinivega.’

You did not tell us there the cause, features, and remedies of that ailment.

I desire to hear these. O, let them be spoken of here ! 52-53

Hearing these words, Punarvasu said as follows unto his disciple who was desirous of hearing what he would say. 54

O amiable one, hear about that great disease, with its causes, features, and remedies !

t What is said here is this : Epilepsy that is Accidental should be treated in the same way as Insanity that is Accidental. Accidental Epilepsy, that is, epilepsy caused by the action of the deities and evil spirits, &c., should be diagnosed from the fact that the symp¬ toms manifested are grayer, i. e., more violent, than those of excited wind, bile, and phlegm.— T.

* The fact is, ‘dhupana’ means causing the patient to inhale the smoke of sticks made of different drugs. — T.

CHAR AKA - SA MHITA.

1285P

Of one who is accustomed to take filthy food and drink, whosuppresses the urgings (of nature) even when they are pronounced, the heart being affected by cold and oily and dry practices in which he indulges, the (excited) faults reside in the system after having vitiated those ducts which are bearers of (the operations of) the Mind and the Understanding. The consequence is that such a- person be¬ comes overwhelmed by the qualities of Passion and Darkness.

When his Understanding and Mind are (thus) overwhelmed by aggravated Passion and Darkness, and when his heart is agitated by the (excited) faults, that person of dim and stupefied consciousness applies his understanding incorrectly on things eternal and transitory as well as beneficial and baneful.

Instructed men (learned physicians), call this severe disease by the name of ‘Atattwabhinivega.’* 5S-S8

Having treated him (at first) with oils and different kinds of fomentation (Sweda), and having also corrected his system by admi¬ nistering emetics and the rest, and having given him also such regimen as ‘peya’ and the rest, he should be treated with beneficial food and drink. 59