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

water so as to form a sort of thin, pasty potion) is flesh-building and spermatopoietic. It allays thirst, acts as an instantaneous tonic, subdues the Pittaui. Kapham and Vayu, and is possessed of purgative properties. Made into thin pasty balls or lumps the^' become heavy as regards digestion, while transformed into a thin potion with the addition of a copious quantity of water the}' are known to acquire a contrary virtue (light). Barley powder used as lambative is easih^ and speedily digested owing to the softness of its consistency. Fried paddy alleviates vomiting and dysenter}', and has an astringent sweet taste. It is appetising, tonic, and light of digestion, allays thirst, constipates the bowels, and tends to restore the deranged Kapham to its normal condition. Pulverised fried paddy alleviates thirst, vomiting, and a burning sensation of the skin, arrests perspiration, and proves curative in cases of hasgioptysis and Dahajvara (a type of bilious fever characterised b}- unq\ienchable thirst and hyperpraxia). Prithuka (thrashed or pasted paddy) is heavy of digestion, demulcent and flesh-building, and increases the Kapham in the system. Taken with milk it acts as a tonic and is laxative and destroys the Vayu. Immature or newly-harvested rice has a sweet taste, is hard to digest and acts as a tissuebuilder. Old or well matured rice brings about the adhesion of fractured bones and proves curative in cases of Meha. As a large variety of substances

p. 548

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

[ Chap. XLVI.

enters into the composition (of our daily food\ a physician should prescribe a course of diet for his patient after carefully considering the nature of the food stuffs and the properties they acquire through combination and seasoning, as well as the natural longings of a person for a certain kind of food during the preponderance of certain deranged humours of the body.

Anuparnam or After- Potions :— Now

Nve shall discourse on drinks and potions which are found to be beneficial when taken after a certain kind of food (Anup^nas.)

Certain people oppressed with an acid taste naturally long for sweets, while others in full satiet}" of sweet articles have a relish for acid things. Hence something acid is good for the eater of sweets, and sweets are good for men who have partaken of an acid food.

Cold water and warm water> Asava ( wine), Madya (spirits), the soup of Mudga pulse etc., the juice of acid fruits, sour paddy gruel, milk and essence of meat are generally used as drinks after a full meal. Of these, that alone which would prove beneficial to a person should be given him in an adequate quantity. The intelligent physician should determine the kind of after- drink (potion) required in each case after taking into consideration the nature of the disease under treatment, the season of the year, and the properties of the solid or Hquid substances that enter into the composition of the

Chap. XLVI. ] SUTRASTHA'NAM.

p. 549

diet. Of all kinds of after-potions, clear heavenly (atmospheric) water, kept in a pure vessel, should be deemed the bes^, inasmuch as such water contributes in every way to the welfare (is conducive to the bodily growth) of a person throughout his life, and all the six different tastes are inherent in that heavenly fluid. Briefl}^ we have stated the rule to be observed in respect of after-potions, now we shall dilate upon their specific properties. Hot water should be taken after any oih' or lardaceous substance other than those known as the oils of Bhallataka and Tauvaraka. Certain authorities hold that the soup of Mudga pulse and sour rice gruel (Kanjika) should be respectively taken (in summer and winter) after having taken a large quantity of oil in the course of a meal. Cold water should be taken after cakes and hone)-, as well as after curd, Payasa porridge, and also in cases of poisoning and derangements due to the effects of wine. According to several authorities tepid water should be taken after an}- kind of cake (preparation of rice paste etc.)

Milk or meat essence should be prescri'bed as an after-potion to persons habituated to meals of Shall-' rice or Mudga pulse, or who have become fatigued with the labours of a battle or of a long journey, or w^ho are oppressed with the heat of the sun or of a blazing fire, as well as to those who would

550 THE SI\SHRUTA SAMHITA. [ Chap. XLM. J;