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

Similarl}', an increased germination of lymph chyle (Rasa) in the body is manifest by such characteristics as, nausea, water-brash, and an increased flow of salivary secretion. A plethora of blood in the system gives a reddish glow to the complexion and the white of the eyes, and imparts fullness to the veins. An increase of flesh is marked by the rotundit}" and fullness of the buttocks and the lips, as well as of the penis, arms, and the thighs, and an increased heaviness of the whole body. An excess of fat in the body imparts an oily gloss to the skin. The sides of the abdomen are increased in bulk, and the body emits a fetid smell, and the person is assailed with cough and dyspnoea. An excessive formation of bone (abnormal ossification) is attended with such symptoms as the cutting of additional teeth and the abnormal development of any of the bone-structures. An excessive formation of marrow gives rise to a heaviness of the eyes and to the members of the body.

An excess of semen in the body is marked b}' an excessive flow of that fluid and gives rise to the fomiation of gravels (concretions) in the bladder which are known as Shukrashmari. An abnormal increase in the formation of fecal matter is attended with distension of the abdomen and colic pains in the loins and the intestines. An excessive formation of urine is manifest by constantp. 129 urging for micturition and distension of the bladder, attended by a kind of gnawing or aching pain.

Similarly, an increased secretion of perspiration is attended with an itching of the skin which emits a bad odour. An excess in the quantity of catamenial blood* gives rise to an aching of the limbs and an excessive flow. So also an excess in the quantity of the breast-milk is attended with frequent secretions of that fluid, and with inflaihmation and pain in the mammae. An excessive growth of the faetus in the uterus tends to abnomially swell .the region of the abdomen, and is accompanied by anasarca, or dropsy, of the lower extremities (phlegmasia dolens;.

These abnormal excesses of the aforesaid humours and principles, etc. of the body should be checked or remedied with corrective (cleansing) or pacifying measures as would be indicated by their respective natures, so as not to reduce them to a smaller quantity than that in which they are found in the normal and healthy state of a body.

IVIetrical text : — An increased quantity of a bodily principle gives rise to a similar increase in the quantity of one immediately succeeding it in the order of enumeration as stated above ; aud hence an

* An abnormal flow tends to stimulate the voluptuous sensation of a woman to a considerable extent, and is followed by a sense of reactionary weakness. Il emits a fetid smell and originates ovarian tumours.

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THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [ Chap. XV.

increase in any of the fundamental principles of the body should be checked and reduced to its normal quantity.

Now we shall describe the characteristic features of the strength-giving principles of the body, as well as the symptoms that mark their loss or waste. The quintessence of all the fundamental principles of the body, starting with lymph chyle and ending with semen, is called the Ojas, which is identical with what is termed "vital power." This view of oneness of vitality with protoplasmic albumen has been adopted in the present work*

This Ojas (albumen) or strength-giving principle serves to impart a firm integrity to the flesh (and the muscles), exercises unbounded control over all acts of vitality, improves the voice and complexion, and helps both the external (operative") and the internal ^intellectual) sense organs, in duly performing their natural functions.

Authoritative verses on the subject:— Ojas (albumen being of a white colour belongs to the class of Somatmakam (cooling) substances.

* The Sanskrit lerm "Ojas"' has a variety of meanings. Primarily it means protoplasmic matter as found in cells (Vindus). Secondarily it means albumen as we shall describe later on in the chapters on etiology and therapeutics of Prameha. Several authorities hold a contrary view staling that Ojas (albumen) forms only one of the essentials of vitality and that the two are by no means identical.

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