Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

All those remedies, again, that have been laid down as alleviative of vomiting born of excited phlegm, are equally prescribable in this variety of thirst. 4$

Lesson xxii.]

CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

iâzl

If stupefaction of the body, disgust for food, indigestion, slothfulhess, and vomiting manifest themselves as supervening symptoms in Thirst then such thirst should be known as accompanied by excited phlegm.

In such thirst the administration is beneficial of emetics composed of curds, honey, ‘tarpana’ (the flour of fried barley boiled in water), salt, and hot water. 47

The decoction of Dadima ( Punica Granatuni) and Madana-phala (the fruits of Randia dumetorum), or, the decoction of some other drug or drugs that are known to be emetics, or, some linctus or drink that is known to have emetic virues, each mixed with Rajani ( Curcuma longa), honey, and sugar, should be administered (for causing the patient to vomit). 48 That gravest variety of Thirst which arises in wasting consumption and is called waste-born thirst, is regarded as equal to wasting consumption :

Hence, it should be alleviated by administering such medicines as are alleviative of emaciation, (pulmonary) sores, and consumption.* 49 One that is afflicted with thirst born of alcohol (drunk in excess) should drink wines diluted with water of half their measure, and mixed with some sour juice and salt and some good scent.

Such a patient may also be bathed in cold water and then made to drink wine largely diluted with water, or treacle copious mixed with water. 5°

One afflicted with thirst caused by abstention from food at a time when hunger is felt, or, one that feels thirsty in consequence of having taken oils and ghees in copious measure, should drink thin gruel of barley.

One that feels thirsty owing to having stuffed the stomach with heavy food, should disgorge the food that has been taken. 51

A strong man afflicted with thirst born of gorging, should dis¬ gorge by drinking wine diluted with water, or hot water.

* The first line is excedingly terse. The comment of GangSdhara is followed in the translation.— T.

CHIRITSA s tha na.

[TRISHtfA.

1 fâii

After disgorging he should clear his mouth by chewing a fruit or or two of MagaJhika {Piper longuni), and then drink ‘mantha’ (gruel of barley) mixed wth sugar. 52

A strong man afflicted with dryness of palate should drink such ghees as have aphrodisiac virtues, after which he should take wine.

A weak man, however, when afflicted with dryness of palate, should take milk that has been skimmed of butter, or such meatjuices as have been properly oilified.* 53

The thirst that is felt by weak men whose systems have become exceedingly dry is quickly alleviated by milk ; or by the meat-juice prepared with goat’s flesh and fried in ghee and that is cool, sweet, and agreeable. 54

That thirst which arises from one’s having taken oily food should be quenched by the, physician by administering water mixed with treacle.

The Thirst of one that is afflicted with swoons should be allevi¬ ated with such medicines as alleviate blood-bile. 55

The author here lays down where cold and hot water should be given and where they should not be given :

[This seems to be an interpolation by some scribe. GangSdhara omits it, though it occurs in the Calcutta and the Bombay editions.]

In vomiting, in sour-bile, in burning, in swoons, in vertigo,]- in fatigue, in diseases born of excessive drinking of alcohal, in vitiation of the blood, in poisons introduced into the system, and in vitiation of the bile, water that is naturally cool is commendable.

When all the three faults are excited, boiled water, when cooled, is commendable. 56

In hiccup, asthma, acute fever, inflammation of the schniederian membrane, in diseases born of excessive drinking of ghee , in pains of the flanks, in diseases of the throat, in diseases bora of phlegm and wind, as also in thickening of the phlegm, hot water is beneficial.

In the case of persons who have taken correctives, hot water should be given to them on the day they have taken the correctives.57

* Some editions have ‘Sarpirbhrishtam’, meaning skimmed. This is, of course, the correct reading. ‘Sarppiryushtam’, meaning ‘unskimmed’ is not correct. — T.

t For ‘Bhrama’ meaning ‘vertigo’ the Calcutta and the Bombay editions read ‘Tamah’ meaning ‘sensation of entering into darkness.’ — T.

James W. Reese, Esq., Westminister Maryland U. S. A.: — You have undertaken a great and difficult work, and one which, it seems to me, deserves the approbation- and encouragement of all who care to know what wise men of the past ages thought and taught on a topic so important as the preservation of health and cure of disease.

William Emmecte Coleman, Esq., San Francisco , California: — . As each successive part is issued, the greater intrinsic value of the work is apparent. ... ... ... there is much in it both'of interest and value to the Western mind, occidental medical science, therapeutic. American and European medical science has much to learn .