An English Translation of the Sushruta Samhita, Vol. II — trans. Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna (1911)

above, after which it should be filtered (twenty times) and boiled in the manner of alkaline preparations At the close of the boiling, powders* of the drugs of the Hingvddi or Pippalyddi group should be mixed with it. This medicine is called the Kalatynaka-Lavana and is specially efficacious in all cases of Vata-roga and is applicable both in food and drink in cases of Gulma, enlarged spleen, impaired digestion, indigestion, haemorrhoids, intestinal worms, aversion to food and cough. 26 .

lYIemorable Verse :~Thc remedy proves efficacious in Vata-roga through its heat-making potency, power of liquifying and secreting the deranged Doshas and of restoring and correcting them as well. 27.

Thus ends the fourth Chapter of the Chikitsita Sthanam in the Sub'rula Samhila which deals with the treatment of Vata-\ yadhi.

* The total wtit^ht of these powders should be one-fourth of the weight of the rock-talt taken in ihe course of the preparation. — Ddllana.

CHAPTER V.

Now we shall discourse on the chapter which deals with the medical treatment of lYIaha-VcltaVyadhi. i.

Several authorities group the disease Vata-Rakta under two different sub-heads, such as superficial and deep-seated. But such a classification is arbitrary and unscientific, inasmuch as this disease first manifests itself on the surface (layer of the skin) like Kushtha and gradually invades the deeper tissues of the body. Hence there are no (two) forms of this disease. 1-2.

Causes of Vaita-Rakta -.—The Vayu of

the body is enraged or agitated by such causes as wrestling with a man of superior and uncommon physical strength, etc., while the blood is vitiated by such causes as constant over-eating of edibles which are of difficult digestion and heat-making in their potency or ingestion of food before the digestion of the previous meal. The Vayu thus enraged and agitated enters into the bloodcarrying channels of the body and being obstructed in its passage, becomes mixed with the vitiated blood. The deranged Vayu and the blood thus combine to give rise to a disease characterised by the specific symptoms of each, which is known as VSLta-Rakta. The characteristic pain, which at first confines itself to the extremities, gradually extends over the whole body.

Premonitory symptoms of VattaRakta : — The disease is ushered in with a prickinopain, a burning and an itching sensation (in the affected part), a swelling, roughness and numbness (anaesthesia) of the diseased locality, throbbing of the veins, ligaments,p. 38p. 298 nerves and arteries, a weakness in the thighs and sudden appearance of red or brownish circular patches on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, fingers and heels, etc., (A. R.— wrists). If neglected and immoderately treated in its premonitory stages, the disease soon develops its characteristic symptoms in succession, which have been described before ; whereas (a lifelong) deformity (of the affected part) is the penalty for neglecting it (in its fully patent or devoloped stage). 3.

lYIemorabIc Verse :~Men of a mild and delicate constitution, as well as those who are (inordinately) stout or sedentary in their habits or are addicted to unwholesome and incompatible food, etc., are generally found to be susceptible to an attack of Vata-Rakta. 4.

Prognosis : — A physician is advised to take in hand the medical treatment of a Vata-Rakta-patient who has as yet not lost much strength and muscle, nor is afflicted with thirst, fever, epileptic fits, dyspnoea, cough, numbness (of the affected part), aversion to food, indigestion, extension and contraction of the limb, as well as of a person who is strong and temperate in his living and can afford to pay for the diet and other necessary accessories of the treatement. 5.

Preliminary remedial measures :— in

the first stage of the disease the blood, having become vitiated owing to its being obstructed in its course (by the unusually agitated Vayu in the system), should be gradually and not profusely bled, except when the body would be found to have become extremely dry or to have lost its natural healthful glow or complexion through the action of the aggravated morbific principle (Vayu), for fear of further aggravating the Vayu. Emetics, purgatives, and Vasti (enemas), etc., should be administered and the patient should be made to take a diet consisting

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