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

It is called the Dhainvantara-Ghrita* and covers within the range of its therapeutic application Meha (urinary diseases), swelling, (S'otha), Kushtha, Gulma, Ascites, haemorrhoids, enlargement of the spleen, carbuncles (Pidaka) and abscesses. 7.

Ordinary purgatives fail to produce any satisfactory* effect in cases of Madhu-Meha owing to the excessive accumulation and pervasion of Medas (fat) in the organism of the patient. Hence strong Sodhana (purgatives) should be employed in such cases. In all types of Meha, attended with Pidakai (eruptions or abscesses) and other complications, the perspiration and expectorations, etc. of a Prameha-patient acquire a sweet taste and smell like that of honey. Hence they are technically known as Madhu-Meha (,to all intents and purposes . Fomentation (of any kind) is forbidden in the case of a patient suffering from Madhu-Meha, since it might lead to the gradual emaciation of his frame by drying up the organic fat (Medas), which is usually found to abound in his organism. The aggravated Doshas of the body fail to make an upward passage in the organism of a Prameha-patient, owing to the weakness of the channels of chyle, blood, Kapha and Pitta (as well as for an exhausted condition of the nerves in his body) and the Doshas are thus forced to course in and confine themselves into the lower part of the body where their incarceration helps the easy formation of Pidakas (abscesses), etc. Such a Pidaka should be remedied with the measures described in connection with Vranas, as soon as the process of suppuration would set in; whereas

* According to Dallana, the introduction of this medicated Ghrila into the text is an interpolation. Since Jejjata has not explained it in his commentary, Dallana does not explain it. Chakradatta, however, mentions this Ghrita in his compilation, though with some additions and alterations under the Ireatment of Prameha. — Ed.

382 THE SUSHKUTA SAMllITA. [Chap. XII.

it should be treated as a swelling in its unsuppurated stage. Medicated oils should be likewise employed for the purposes of healing (RopanaJ, etc. 8.

A decoction of the drugs of the Aragvadhddi group should be used for the purpose of raising up (UtScidana) the cavity of the incidental ulcer ; that of the S'ala-sdra'di group should be used for sprinkling purposes ; that of the drugs of the Pippalyddi gvow"^ should be given as food and drinks. A pulverised compound o{ Pdthd, Chitraka, S'drmgashtd, Kshudra, Vrihati, S'drivd Soma-valka^ Saptaparna, Aragvadka and Kutaja roots mixed with honey should be internally given to the patient.

S'ala-saradi Avaleha :— A decoction of (one hundred Pala weight of) the drugs of the S'dla-sdrddi group should be made by boiling it (in sixteen times the weight of water) down to a quarter part ;^of the water) and then duly filtered (through a piece of linen). It should be cooked again very carefully, so that it may not be burnt; powders of Amalaka* RodJira. Priyamgu, Danti, black-iron and copper should then be added to it just before the completion of the cooking, so that it may be reduced to the consistency of an Avalcha (lambative). It should then be removed from the fire and kept in a closed earthen pitcher. The patient should take an adequate dose of this medicine as it is a sovereign remedy for all types of Prameha. 9.

Navayasa-Churna :— Equal parts of the

powders of the following nine drugs, viz., Triphald, Chitraka^ Trikatu, Vidanga and Musta, and nine parts

* Chakradatta reads " S'iva " in place of "Amalaka" and does not include " Priyamgu " in the list. According to some commentators the total weight of the after-throw (Prakshepa) would be a quarter part of the total weight of the drugs boiled ; whereas, according to others, the different drugs for Prakshepa would weigh one Pala each.

Chap. XII.] CHIKIT5A STHANAM. 383

of powdered black- iron* should be mixed together and taken in adequate doses with honey and clarified butter. This is called the Navayasa Churna, which proves curative in abdominal obesity, improves the impaired digestion and acts as a prophylactic against haemorrhoids, swelling, jaundice, Kushtha, indigestion, cough, asthma and Prameha, etc. 10.

LohariShta :— A decoction of the drugs of the S'ald-sdrddi group should be made by boiling it down to a quarter part (of the original quantity of water). Then it should be duly filtered ; when cooled, a quantity (z>., fifty Pala weight) of Makshika-honeyf should be added to it. A quantity of purified treacle:|: reduced to the consistency of Phanita as well as fine powders of the drugs of the Pippalyddi group should be mixed with it. A strong and well cleansed (earthen) pitcher satu-

* Charaka and Chakrapani Datla insert this medicine among the curatives of " Pa'ndu-roga ". S'ivadasa (the commentator) advises to take '* Mandura-iron" instead of " black-iron ". In the practical field also we derive great and good effects in cases of spleen and liver diseases and specially in cases of infantile liver and heart diseases. — Ed.