Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

One, afflicted with abdominal dropsy characterised by the accu¬ mulation of water, should drink curds mixed with the three acrids.J io&

One, afflicted with abdominal dropsy characterised by epistasis, should drink whey that is mixed with Habusha (aromatic black stalks like those of black pepper), Yamani {Ptychotis Ajowan), Ajaji {Nigella sativa), and ‘Saindhava salt.’

* Dropsy born of all the faults is ealled ‘Nichayodara’ or ‘Sannipfitodara.’ Of course, ‘Nichaya* means like ‘SanrtipSta’ (collection of faults).— T.

f ‘VyaktSmlam’ implies ‘distinctly sour’, i. e., ‘ not partially sour.’

‘•NStipelavam’ is ‘not very thin’.— T.

X ‘JStSra’ is explained by Gangadhara as curds made of milk mixed ‘with water. Gener¬ ally, three parts of milk with one part of water is used for conversion into curds.— X.

CH A RA KA - S A M HIT A .

p. 1353

One, afflicted with that variety of abdominal dropsy which is called ‘Chitrodara’ (i. e., in which the intestines are afflicted with sores caused by thorns or hard substances swallowed with food), should drink whey that is mixed with (the' pulv of the fruits of) Piper longum), and honey. i°4

Unto persons that are afflicted with (excited) wind and phlegm, with heaviness of the body and disgust for food, with weakness of the digestive fire and diarrhcea, whey is regarded as veritable nectar. i°5

When one ailing under abdominal dropsy is afflicted by swellings, epistasis, thirst, and swoons, elephant’s milk becomes as veritable, nectar.

When such persons have been cleansed by correctives and (as a consequence thereof) become weakened, the milk of kine, of goats, and of buffalos becomes as veritable nectar unto them. 106

In all varieties of abdominal dropsy, plasters should be applied made of the paste of the following taken in equal measures, viz,, Devadaru (Pinus deodara ), Palaga ( Butea frondosa), Arka (Calatropis gigantea), Hastipippali (Potkos officinalis), £igru (Moringa pterygosperma), and Acwagandha ( Physalis Jlexuosa ), the paste being prepared by pounding these together with cow’s urine. I07

Taking the following drugs, viz,, Vrischikali (Tragea involucrata ), Vacha ( Acorus Calamus ), Kushtha ( Aplotaxis auriculata ), Panchamuli (the five roots), PunarnavS < 'Boerhavia diffusa ), Varshabhu ( Boerhavia diffusa of the red variety), Nagara (dry ginger), and Dhanya (corian¬ der seeds), boil them in water, and sprinkle that water over the stomach and abdomen of the patient. 108

Take the following, viz., Palaja (Butea frondosa), Kattrina (Andropogon schcenanthus), and Rasna ( Vanda Roxburgkii), boil them in water, and sprinkle that water over the stomach and abdomen of the patient

The eight varieties of urine also should be applied to persons afflicted with abdominal dropsy for purposes of sprinkling, and drinking. 109

The several kinds of ‘Dipaniya’ ghees are now being laid down for persons afflicted with abdominal dropsy that are of dry constitutions,

p. 1354

CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

or that have constitutions in which the wind predominates, or that are desirous of having correctives administered unto them. 110

Take two ‘prasthas’ of ghee and boil it with the paste of the fruits of Pippali (Piper lotigum ), Pippalimula (roots of Piper longum), Chavya ( Piper Chaba ), Chitraka {Plumbago zeylatiica ), and ashes of barley shoots, the measure of each of these being half a ‘pala as also with the expressed juice, measuring half a ‘tula,’* of the ten roots and an ‘adhaka’ of the cream of curds. The ghee thus prepared is curative of abdominal dropsy. m-112

This ghee cures also other kinds of dropsical swellings, suppression of the wind, abdominal tumours, and piles.

The ghee thus prepared is called ‘Panchakola-ghee.’

Even this was laid down by Atri’s descendant of dark c.omplexion. ”3

Taking a ‘prastha’ of ghee and oil, and also an ‘adhaka of ‘Mastu’ (the watery part of curds), boil the compound with (the paste of) Nagara (dry ginger) and the three myrobalans.

This ghee should be drunk. It cures abdominal dropsy.

It is also beneficial in abdominal tumours born of (excited) phlegm and wind.

This ghee is called ‘Nagaradya-ghee.’ It is highly praised by Atri’s son. ”4-i 15

A ‘prastha’ of ghee, boiled with water of four times that measure, and cow’s urine of twice that measure, and a ‘pala’ of the paste of Chitraka ( Plumbago zeylanica ), mixed with the ashes of barley shoots, should be drunk by one afflicted with abdominal dropsy. ”6

Even this is the composition of ‘Chitraka-ghrita.’f

* A ‘tula’ is equal to twelve and a half seers ; and an ‘adhaka’ is equal to 8 seers. A ‘prastha’ being equal to 2 seers, two ‘prasthas’ would be equa.1 to 4 seers. In practice, 8 seers oi ghee are taken. — T.