Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

Such abscesses should be treated agreeably to the fault or faults excited.

* I adopt the reading of the Calcutta and the Bombay editions. Gangadhara inserts a whole line which is not to be seen in the Calcutta and the Bombay editions. The line does not seem to_be necessary. — T.

■j* Gangadhara points out that this line has reference to ‘Granthi’ and not ‘Qotha’. By the latter is understood ordinary swellings or those which take the form of abscesses. By :the former, glandular swellings are indicated. — T.

J The word for glandular swelling is, as already noted, ‘Granthi’ ; that for tumours is ‘Arbbuda’. — T._

CHAR A KA - SA MH1TA.

IJ2CP

Both these kinds of swellings (abscesses) should (in the immature state) be opened (and the accumulated blood let out) ; or plasters7 (of barley flour, linseed, &c.) should be applied^

When mature and suppuration has set in, they should be treated m the same way as ordinary abscesses. s5-86

Those abscesses which appear all over the body and are accom¬ panied with burning sensation, fever, and thirst, are called ‘Vishphotaka’ (malignant boils).

Those boils which are many in number, which are born of excitedbile and wind, which take the shape of fried paddy and appear over the body in such a way as to look like the sacred thread (of the regenerate orders), are called ‘Kaksha.’* g7

Other varieties of pimples that appear all over the body, that are large, or small, or of intermediate size, are regarded as born of. (excited) bile. 88Pimples of small size, that appear all over the body, that are accompanied by fever, burning of the skin, thirst, itching, disgust for food, and salivary discharges from, the mouth, are called ‘Romantika’ (measles). These are born of (excited) bile and phlegm.-]- 89

Those pimples which appear all over the body and are of the size of the seeds of Cicer lens , are called ‘Masurika’ (small pox). 90

That treatment which has been laid down for. the alleviation ofi ‘Visarpa’ (erysipelas), and which is beneficial in the several varieties of leucoderma, should be adopted in these diseases {i. e.,' ‘Visarpa,’, TCakshS,’ ‘Pidaka,’ ‘RomSntikS,’ and ‘Masurika.’!)..

Discovering the symptoms of the- particular fault that is excited,, a small intestine frequently descends into and ascends from either of

* Dr. U. C. Dutta, in his edition of ‘Nidana’ (in Bengali), identifies ‘KaksbS’ with acuteabscess near the axilla. This seems to be incorrect. — T.

f This verse is omitted in the Calcutta and the Bombay editions. There can, however, be no doubt of its genuineness. I take it from Gangadhara. — T.

X /. e., malignant boils or abscesses, string of abscesses around the body, pimples, measles, and small pox. — T.

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CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

the testes when- the latter happens to be inflated by the action of wind and the rest.* 9*

That swelling (on the sack of the testes) which is filled with urine becomes soft.

That, again, which is filled with adeps becomes oily (smooth) and hard..

For treating hernia, purgatives, unguents, dry enemata, and plasters are prescribable. When ripe (z. e., suppuration has set in), they should be treated like abscesses. 92

As regards phlegm-born swellings, and those caused by urine and adeps, they should be opened with a lancet, and washed, and sewn up. If they suppurate, they should be treated after the manner of abscesses.

When an abscess arises beside the mouth of the anal canal, caused by worms, or wounds caused by stones or any sharp-pointed thing, or by sexual congress, or straining, or the hard back of a horse that one rides,- and is accompanied by severe pains, it suppurates and bursts and develops into what is called ‘Bhagandara’ (fistulain-ano).

The treatment in fistula-in-ano consists of the administration of purgatives, probing, and opening (by the lancet). When the sinus has been cleared, hot oil should be applied. 93

(Of those who are afraid of a surgical operation), the fistula-in-ano should be ripened by insertion of a thread steeped in some alkaline ashes and opened thereby. After this, it should be treated after the manner of an abscess.f

* What is stated here is this : Wind and the other faults affect the testes in consequence of which those become enlarged.. A small intestine in the abdomen descends into and ascends from either of the testes thus affected. The intestine also shows signs of the particular fault that has affected the testes. — T.

-}• The insertion of a ‘Ksharasutra (thread steeped in alkaline ashes) into the sinus induces its ripening or suppuration, without being actually opened by the lancet, the result becomes the same. — T.

CHARAKA -SAM HIT A.

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In consequence of the vitiation of the flesh, the phlegm, and the blood, a swelling takes place on the thighs, the calves, and dorsa. It is called ‘^lipada’ (elephantiasis).* 94

Ordinances about blood-letting and the checking of the (excited) phlegm, as also the application of plasters consisting of the paste of mustard seeds, are desirable in (the treatment of) elephantiasis.