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

The A pan a Vayu : — The Vayu known as the Apana ads in the lower region of the intestines (Pakvadhana). Its functions consist in bearing down the Retus and the fitces and in evacuating the urine, semen and catamenial blood. An enraged condition of this Vayu tends to bring on .serious diseases, which are peculiar to the urinary bladder and the distal portion of the large intestine (Guda). An aggravated condition of both the Vyana and Apana Vaj-us may produce Prameha and disorders of the seminal fluid, while a simultaneous excitement of the five vital Vayus leads to a sure and speedy termination of life. 11-12.

Now we shall describe the nature of diseases, brought about by the localization of the variously aggravated

Vayus in the different parts of the body.— In the cavity

* Such as expansion, flexion, lowering do v.'n and lifiing up or lateral thrusting of any part of the body.

Chap. I.] NIDANA STIIANAM. 5

of the stomach (Amt'ishaya) the deranged or aggravated Vayu gives rise to vomiting, vertigo, epileptic fits, thirst and pain at the sides (ParsVa Sula) and about the region of the heart (Hridgraha). In the intestines (Pakvashaya) the enraged or disturbed Vayu gives rise to a rumbling in the intestines, a piercing pain about the region of the umbilicus, scant}' and painful urination and stool, or their entire suppression (Anaha), and pain about the region of the coccyx (Trika). 13 — 15. Similarly, incarcerated in the sense-organs, such as the ears, etc. it tends to deprive them of their respective faculties. In the skin (lymph ch>le) it produces a discolouring of the complexion, parchedness and twitching in the skin, and causes a complete local anaesthesia, giving rise to a tingling, piercing pain in the skin, which spontaneously bursts, or becomes marked with cracks and fissures. Similarh', the aggravated Vayu interfering witli the principle of b'ood gives rise to ulcers. In the flesh, it produces painful nodes and tumours (Granthi), while in the principle of fal it brings on almost painless tumours (Granthi) unattended with an\' kind of ulcer. Incarcerated in the veins Sec. (Sira) it produces a stiffening or painful contraction, or a varicose or neuralgic condition ; in a ligament (Snayu).it produces numbness (anaisthesia), pals\-, aching pain and convulsive jerks ; in a long joint, it tends to deprive it of its contractibility and produces a painful inflammatory swelling (about the affected part). In the bones it produces a wasting (atroph)') of the bones which crack and begin to spontaneously burst, attended with the characteristic bone-ache. Again in that important principle of life, the marrow, it tends to dr}' it up and produces a sort of pain, extending all over the body which knows no respite or abatement. Similarly, in the principle of semen it tends to produce a scanty,

6 Till'. SUSIIIiUTA SAMIIITA. [Chap. I.

defective, or excessive emission of that vital fluid, or a complete stoppage thereof, 16—23.

The Vayii, thus disturbed and agitated, affects in succession the lower and the upper extremities of the bod\', and the head, or extends all over the body and deranges all its root-principles (Uhatu). The symptoms, which mark such conditions of the bods', are numbness (paral)-sis), convulsive ccmtortions of thclimbs (Akshepa), ana^'sthcsia, and various kinds of pain (Sula), and swelling (S'opha) of the bod\-. The deranged Vayu, having entered the natural seats of the Pittam or Kapham, develops symptoms, which are peculiar to either of them, and gives rise to numerous diseases. 24 — 25.

The symptoms, which characterise the union of the deranged Vayu with the Pittam (in its particular seat) are a burning sensation, heat, thirst, and loss of consciousness, in addition to the symptoms of the Vataja disease so generated in that particular part of the body, while a similar unison with the Kapham develops coldness, swelling and heaviness (of the affected part). The disturbed or agitated Vayu in unison with the principle of blood gives rise to a sort of pricking pain (pins and needles in the affected locality), which can not bear the least touch, or is marked by complete anaesthesia, and symptoms, peculiar to the deranged Pittam, follow in its train. 26 — 28.