Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

In cases of ‘Chitrodara’ (vide aphorism ante of this lesson), that course of treatment, with the exception of ‘sweda,’ should be adopted which has been laid down for dropsy born of phlegm. Also the surgical process of tapping should be resorted to for letting out the water as it accumulates.

This variety of dropsy being incurable, the physician should seek to suppress it by this method of treatment (and prolong the life of the patient). 90

The physician should avoid one afflicted with ‘Chitrodara’ who has such supervening symptoms as thirst, cough, and fever ; who has suffered loss of flesh ; whose digestive fire has been weakened ; the measure of whose food has been decreased ; and who labours under a difficulty of breathing, or who suffers from ‘£ula’ pains. 91

In that variety of dropsy which is called ‘Udakodara,’ the physi¬ cian should give, at the outset, such medicines as are destructive of water.

Diverse kinds of alkaline enemata also as have (cow’s) urine for one of their ingredients, and as are possessed of keen virtues, should be prescribed. 92

Further, the physician should treat one afflicted with this variety of dropsy with such food and drink as are called ‘Dipaniya’ and as are destructive of phlegm.

The physician should also gradually restrain the patient from water and other liquids, as also from food in which the fluid element predominates.* 93

* ‘Dipaniya’ means, as already explained, drugs or articles that kindle the digestive fire.

‘Anupurvaqah’ implies gradually. The physician should not suddenly stop water, &c., but do it slowly. ‘Udakadibhyah’ means water and other liquids ; ‘dravebhya’ means food in which the liquid element predominates. — T.

CBARAKA-S AM-HIT A.

*35*

Almost all varieties of abdominal dropsy are born of a union of (vitiated) faults. Hence, the physician should, in almost all cases oif this ailment, adopt such treatment as is alleviative.of wind and the other faults. 94

When the abdomen is filled with the (vitiated) faults, the digestive fire becomes weakened. Hence, such food should be prescribed as is light and capable of kindling the digestive fire. 95

Red ‘£ali’ rice, barley, the seeds of Mudga ( Phaseolus Mungo), and (the flesh of) wild animals and birds, cow’s urine, ‘Asayas,’ ‘Arishtas,’ honey, and wine called ‘Sidhu,’ are prescribable.* 96

. Gruels, and other kinds of food (in the form of ‘Manda,’ ‘PeyS,’ ‘Vilepi,’ &c.), should be taken by the patient, with soups (of the seeds of Phaseolus Mungo and other varieties of pulse), and meat-juice (prepared from the flesh of wild animals and birds).

Further, gruels and such food should be mixed with things that are partially sour, partially oily, and partially pungent, as also boiled with the five roots. 97

The following should be avoided, by persons afflicted with abdo¬ minal dropsy (of whatever variety it may be).

The flesh of aquatic animals (such as fish and the rest), that of animals living in marshy regions (such as the wild boar and the rest), potherbs, food in which the paste of sesame seeds occur, physical exercise, fatiguing walks, sleep at daytime, the riding of animals and cars and other vehicles, and. drinks.f 98

One afflicted with abdominal dropsy should not also take food that is hot, or saline, or sour, or that causes a burning sensation in the stomach, or that is heavy. He should also avoid the drinking of water. 99

* In the second line of the verse, Gangadhara reads ‘payomutra &c.’ Other editions have ‘gomutra &c.’ The latter reading is correct. ‘Asavas’ and ‘Arishtas’ are medicated spirituous liquors. When raw vegetables are used for fermentation, the resulting fluid is called ‘Asava.’

The reading ‘tath5 suram’ in some texts is not correct. — T. '

+ Gangadhara’s reading — ‘yanapanancha’ at the end of the second line, seems to be correct. Other editions have ‘yanayanancha’ which scarcely yields any sense, — T.

CHAR A KA-SAMHITA.

13*2

Whey that is neither excessively thick nor excessively thin, and that is agreeble to the taste,’, is beneficial in all varieties of abdominal dropsy.

In that variety of abdominal dropsy which is caused by all the faults excited together, such whey becomes beneficial if mixed with the three acrids, {viz., dry ginger, the fruits of Piper lottgum, and black pepper), alkaline ashes, and salts.* i°°

One, afflicted with abdominal dropsy born of excited wind, should drink whey mixed with (the pulv of the fruits of) Piper lottgum, and salt.

One, afflicted with abdominal dropsy born of excited bile, should drink whey that is sweet and agreeable to the taste, being mixed with sugar and liquorice. 101

One, afflicted with abdominal dropsy born of excited phlegm, should drink whey that is mixed with Yamfini {Ptychotis Ajowati), ‘Saindhava salt’ Ajfiji {Nigella sativa ), and honey that is distinctly sour, and that is not very thiaf wj

One, afflicted with abdominal dropsy born of enlarged spleen (or liver), should drink whey that is mixed with honey, oils, VachS ( Acorns Calamus ), dry ginger, ^atahva (otherwise called Madhurika, i, /., Fceniculum vulgare or fennel seeds), Kushtha {Aplotaxis aiericulata ), and ‘Saindhava’ salt.