Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

[As regards ‘Sarpiguda,’ its composition has been explained in the Lesson ‘Kshata-kshina,’ numbered XI in this Division. KalyfinGhrita’ is explained in Lesson IX on Insanity in this Division. Tryushana-Ghrita’ occurs in Lesson V on Abdominal tumours. ‘Kshiravidhi’ occurs in Lesson II ; ‘meat-juices’ and linctuses having aphrodisiac virtues occur in the same Lesson. ‘Jivana’ or ‘Jivaniya1 Ghrita is ghee boiled with the group of drugs called ‘Jivaniya.’]

The several varieties (of vomiting), their causes, their symptoms,' the supervening ailments, considerations of curability, the combina¬ tions of drugs that are capable of causing cures, and the treatment to be adopted for the cure or alleviation of the several varieties of vomiting, have been laid down (in this Lesson) by the foremost of ascetics {viz., Punarvasu of Atri’s race).

Thus ends Lesson XX, in the Division called ‘ChikitsS,’ of the treatise of Agnivega as revised by Charaka.*

* It is needless to mention that this Lesson, like its predecessors XVIII, and XIX, is the work of Dridavala, and not of Charaka.— T.

p. 200

LESSON XXL

THE TREATMENT OF ERYSIPELOS.

We shall now expound the treatment of Erysipelos.

Thus said the illustrious one of Atri’s race, i

Unto his preceptor of Atri’s race, having'soul under perfect control, adored by Rishis, surrounded by a conclave of great ascetics, possessed of immense power, devoted to the good of all creatures,* and engaged in delightful occupations on the breast of (the mountain) KailSsa teeming with Kinnaras, and endued with many springs of pure water and many herbs, and adorned with a variety of trees that are solacing (to the eye) and are always possessed of a wealth of flowers, and scatter on all sides sweet odours, Agnivega, at the proper time, and with humility, said as follows : 2-4

O illustrious one I see a dreadful disease that spreads all over the limbs of embodied creatures, like the poison of venomous snakes. 5

Attacked with this disease of rapid progress, men speedily meet with destruction, if treatment is not begun promptly.f 6

As regards this malady I have the (following points of) serious doubt.

By what name should it be known ?

For what reasons should that name be conferred on it ?

How many varieties are there of this disease ?

How many ‘dhâtus’ are affected by it ?

What "are the causes from which this disease arises and what are Its seats ?

How and by what symptoms should it be known to be curable with ease, or curable with difficulty, or incurable ?

What, again, O illustrious one, is the remedy (for this disease) ? 8

* ‘Vahadbhirmadhuran gandhan’ implies breezes bearing fragrant odours. ‘Viharantam’ means engaged in delightful occupations.— T. t Anupkrantam’ may mean ‘without time being obtained for treatment.1

CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

*59*

Having heard these words of Agniveca, that foremost of ascetics,. viz,, Punarvasu of Atri’s race, duly answered them all, ?

Since it spreads over diverse limbs of the body, it is for that reason called ‘Visharpa.’

Or, it is known by the name of ‘Parisarpa’ in consequence of the fact of of Its spreading all over the body.* 10

It should be known as of seven varieties, agreeably to the fault or faults that are excited.

It should also be known as arising from the vitiation of the seven ‘dhatus’ (ingredients of the body).

Verily, ‘Visharpa’ is born of each of the three faults individually, of all the three faults together, as also of combinations of two of the faults at a time. **

Thus it is i. wind-born, or 2. bile-bom, or 3. phlegm-born, or 4. born of all the three faults excited together.

These are the four varieties of the disease.

The three ethers that are born of combinations of two of the faults are laid down below. 12

That born of wind’ and bile is called ‘Agneya’ (fiery) ; that born of phlegm and wind is called ‘-Granthi’ ; that born of bile and phlegm is called ‘Karddama’ ; .the last is dreadful, rj

Blood, ‘Lasika’, skin, and flesh, that are susceptible to .vitiation,, and the three faults (viz,, wind1, bile, and phlegm), 'which are impu¬ rities — these are the seven ‘dhatus’, which, when vitiated, should be known to' be the causes from which the several varieties of Visharpa (Erysipelos) arise.f J4

* ‘Visarpa’ is from affix ‘vi’ and the root ‘srip.’ The affix means diverse or many, andi the ro»t means to move or spread.

‘Parisarpa’ is from the affix ‘Pari’Jmeaning around or all around, and the same root, i. e. ‘srip.’ There is no etymological distinction between the two words. The English equivalent) for ‘visarpa’ is. ‘Erysipelos,’ which is derived from two Greek words meaning ‘red’ and ‘skin’, in consequence of the disease being marked by a redness of the skin.— T.