An English Translation of the Sushruta Samhita, Vol. I: Sutrasthanam — trans. Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna (1907)

It has been stated before that anj^thing that afflicts either the body or the living personality— self, or both, is called disease. This pain or afflictionp. 229 ma}^ be either physical* in its character (Adhyatmikam), or due to an}'- disturbance in the physical environments of a man (Adhibhautikam), or to the acts of God (Adhidaivikam) etc. This three- fold pain may be ultimately transformed into an)' of the seven kinds of diseases such as, the Adi-vala-pravritta, Janma-vala-pravritta, Dosha- vala-pravritta, Sanghatavala-pravritta, Kala- vala-pravritta, Daiva-vala-pravritta and Svabhava- vala-pravritta.

A'di -vala-pravritta :— The disease termed Adi-vala-pravritta is ascribed to any inherent defect in the semen or the ovum of one's parent, which forms one of the original and primary factors of " being " and includes leprosy (Kushtham), hemorrhoids, phthisis etc. This type may be divided into two subdivisions, according as the disease is generated by the deranged paternal or maternal factor at the time of incubation.

J an ma -vala-pravritta :— The Congenital or the Janma-vala-pravritta type usually follows such causes as an improper conduct on the part of the mother during the period of gestation, etc., and embraces such defects or maladies as (congenital) blindness, deafness, dumbness, nasal-voice, and such monstrous aberrations of nature as congenital cretinism,

* Certain commentators interpret the term "Atman" in "AdhyStmikam" to mean body only, and accordingly designate all phenomena that may be manifest in the body as AdhyAtmikam,

230 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [ Chap. XXIV.

and the births of dwarfs and pigmies. This type, in its turn, admits of two sub-divisions, according as the disease is due to the action of the deranged lymphchyle (Rasa-krita), or to an ungratified desire of the mother during gestation, or to her gratification • of any improper longing or conduct during pregnancy (Dauhridyam).

Dosha-vala-pravritta -.—The Dosha-valapravritta (idiopathic) type is due to the action of any of the fundamental bodily humours deranged by an improper diet, or resulting from the dynamical energies of the mind, such as (Rajas and Tamas, etc). This type may be classified under two sub-heads, according as the disease is found to have its origin in the Amashaya (stomach), or in the Pakvashaya (intestines), and each of these again may be further divided into two main sub-divisions such as the physical and the mental. The three preceding kinds of diseases include within their category disorders which are called mental or psychical (Adhyatmikam).

Samghala-vala-Pravritta :— The Traumatic type (Samghatha-vala-pravritta) includes diseases that are caused by an external blow or are due to wrestling with an antagonist of superior strength. They may be sub-divided into minor divisions, according as the disease is due to an external wound, or to the bite from any fierce beast or

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poisonous reptile, etc. These types belong to the Adhibhautikam t5'pe, i. e. (brought about by physical causes).

Ka'Ia-vala-pravritta:— The Periodical type (K^la-vala-pravritta) includes diseases that are brought about by the variation of atmospheric heat or humidity with the change of the seasons, and admits of being grouped under two different sub-heads, according as the seasons, which usher these changes in, exhibit natural or contrary features.

Daiva-vala-pravritta :— The Providential ('Daiva-vala-pravritta^ type includes diseases that are the embodiments of curses, divine wrath or displeasure, or are brought about through the mystic potencies of charms and spells, as described in the Atharva-Veda. This type may be divided into two minor divisions according as the disease is due to such acts of God as when a man is struck by lightning, etc., or to the malignant influences of demons and monsters, and these may be further grouped under two main sub-heads, according as the disease assumes a contagious character (epidemic), or is purely accidental, and restricts itself to isolated cases (sporadic).

Svabha'va-vala-pravritta:— The Natural

or the Spontaneous (Svabhava-vala-pravritta) type includes such natural organic phenomena as,

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THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. XXIV.

decrepitude, death, * hunger, thirst, sleep, etc. These phenomena are either Kalakrita (timely) or Akalakrita (untimely). They are called Kalakrita when the}^ occur at the proper time in persons who strictly observe the rules of health, and Akalakrita, when they appear at the improper time (morbid or premature) as the effects of unhealthy living. These diseases belong to the Providential or Adhi-daivikam typet. Thus we have classified diseases into their several types.