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

Va'ta-Samshamana-Varga:— The following drugs, viz. Bhadradaru, Kustha, Haridra, Varuna, Meshshringi, Vala, Ativala, Artagala, Kachhura, Sallaki, Kuverakshi, Virataru, Sahachara, Agnimantha, Vatsadani, Eranda, Ashmabhedaka, Alarka, Arka, Shatavari, Punarnava, Vasuka, Vasira. Kanchanaka, Bhargi, Karpasi, Vrishchiaali, Pattura, Vadara, Yava, Kola, Kulattha, etc. and the drugs forming the group of Vidarigandhadi-Gana, as well as those belonging to the first two groups of Panchamula (Mahat and Svalpa), are possessed of the general virtue of soothing (restoring to its normal state) the deranged (Vaym Vata.

Pitta-Samshamana-Varga —The drugs known as Chandana, Kuchandana, Hrivera, Ushira,

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Manjishtha, Payasya, Vidari, Shatavari, Guiidra, Shaivala, Kahlara, Kiimuda, Utpala, Kadali, Kandali^ Durva, Miirva, etc. and the drugs forming the groups of Kakolyadi, Sarivadi, Anjaiiadi, Utpaladi, Nyagrodhadi, and Trina-Panchamula groups generally prOve soothing to the deranged Pittam.

Shicshma'- Samshamana- Varga :—

The drugs known as Kaleyaka, Aguru, Tilaparni, Kushtha, Haridra, Shitashiva, Shatapushpa, Sarala, Rasna, Prakiryya, Udakiryya, Ingudi, Sumanah, Kakadani, Langalaki, Hastikarna, Munjataka, Lamajjaka, etc. and the drugs belonging to the groups of Valli and Kantak Panchamulas and those composing the Pippalyadi-Varga, Brihatyadi-Varga, MushkadiVarga, Vachadi, Surasadi and Aragvadhadi groups are generally possessed of the efficacy of restoring the deranged Shleshma to its natural state.

The choice of a medicine whether for cleansing or soothing purposes should be determined by the consideration of the strength (intensity) of the disease, and the stamina and the digestive function of the patient under treatment. A medicine (of a soothing or Samshamanam efficacy), which is stronger than the disease it has been applied to combat with, not only checks it with its own soothing virtue but usually gives rise to a fresh malady, on account of its surplus energy being not requisitioned into

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THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [ Chap. XXXIX.

action, nor its being used up by the weakened and conquered origuial distemper. It is thus stored up in the organism for the working of fresh mischief. A medicine, which proves stronger than the digestive function of a patient, impairs his digestion, or takes an unusually greater length of time to be digested and assimilated into his organism. A medicine, which is stronger than the physical stamina of a patient, may bring on a feeling of physical languor, fits of fainting, loss of consciousness, delirium, etc. Similarly, an overdose of a cleansing (cathartic) medicine .may work similar mischief. On the other hand, medicines of inadequate potencies, and accordingly unequal to the strength of a disease, as well as medicines in inadequate doses fail to produce any tangible effect. Hence medicines of adequate potencies should be alone administered in adequate doses.

Authoritative verses on the subject :^A prudent physician should prescribe a mild purgative for a patient enfeebled by the action of the deranged and accumulated bodily humours and laid up with a disease in which such a cleansing (cathartic) or emetic remedy is indicated. The same rule should hold good in the case of a patient enfeebled through causes other than physical distempers, and whose bowels are easily moved, and in whom the fecal matter, etc. are found to have been dislodged

Chap. XXXIX.] SUTI^ASTHANAM. 363

from their natural seats or locations. Decoctions (including extracts and cold infusions of medicinal herbs) in doses of four Palas weights, and pastes and powders in doses of two Palas weights, should be prescribed in a disease of ordinary intensit}'. Corrective medicines (Purgatives and lilmetics) may be safely exhibited even in a weak patient with loose or unconstipated bowels, if they are found to be stuffed with a spontaneous accumulation of fecal matter (Dosha) etc. inspite of such looseness or easy motion.

Thus ends ihe thiity-ninlh Chapter of the Sutrasth^nam in the Sushiuta SamhitS, which treats of drugs of cleansing (corrective) and soothing properties.

CHAPTER XL.

Now we shall discourse on the Chapter, which treats of drugs and their flavours, virtues, potencies and chemical actions. (Dravya-Rasa-GunaVirya-Vipa'ka-Vijnaniya-madhya'yam).