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

Gala- Vidradhi (throat -abscess Mn its suppurated stage and appearing at a part other than a Marma (vulnerable part). 38-42.

Treatment of Sarva-sara IVIukhaROg^a : — The affected part should be rubbed with powdered salts* in a case of Sarva-sara Mukha-roga (invading the entire cavity of the mouth) due to the aggravated Vsiyil. Oil cooked with the (decoction and the pastes of) Viyu-subduing drugs isuchas, theBhadradarvddi group, etc.) and used as errhines (Nasya) and gurgles (Kavala) is efficacious in this disease. After the application of this oil, the patient should be treated with the Snaihika form of fumigation (Dhuma) in the following manner. Jimtuka leaves smeared with honey should be plastered with a compound of the Sdra of S'dla, Piydla and castor wood, the marrow of In^udi and Madhuka, Guggulu, Dhydmaka CGandhatrina), Mdmsi, Kdldnu-sdrivd, vSVz (Lavanga), Sarja-rasa, S'dileya and wax pounded together and mixed with an adequate quantity of clarified butter or oil. It should then be burnt, and the patient made to inhale the fumes. This medicinal fumigation (Dhuma) proves remedial in the disease. It destroys the deranged Vayu and Kapha, and proves curative in all affections of the mouth. In the Pittaja type of the Sarva-sara Mukha-roga, all the morbific principles (Doshas) should be eliminated from the patient's body (with emetics and purgatives',

* Dallana and Nis'chala explain the term "g^V^c;" as the powders of the five officinal kinds of salt. S'iva-dasa, however, holds that powdered Saindhava salt only should be used. Vrinda reads '' ^^^j^ :" and the commentator S'ri-kantha Datta explains it to mean either the powders of "^f^^Hl'', J.^., Jyotishmati or those of '%^?ir", i.e., the five officinal kinds of salt. — Ed.

p. 473

and all kinds of sweet, soothing and Pitta subduing drugs should be administered. Medicated gurgles (Gandusha), fumigation (Dhuma), Pratisdrana irubbings) and purifying (S'odhana^ measures as well as the Kapha-subduing remedies should be employed in the Kaphaja type of the Sarva-sara-Mukha-roga, and the patient should be made to take one Dharana measure (Twenty -four Ratis) of powdered Ativishd Pdthd, Musta, Deva ddru, Katuka and Kataja seeds, with an adequate quantity of cow's urine. This medicine acts as a potent remedy for all the Kaphaja disorders of the body. Gurgles 'Kavala) with milk, sugarcane juice, cow's urine, curd-cream, Kanjika, oil, or clarified butter (Sneha) should be prescribed according to the nature of the aggravated Doshas involved in each case (of the Sarva-sara-Mukha-roga), We have described above the medical treatment of the affections of mouth which yield to medical remedies. 43-45.

incurable Types : — Now we shall enumerate the different incurable types of mouth-diseases. Of the types of Oshtha-paika,, those due to the vitiated condition of the flesh, or of blood, and those due to the concerted action of the aggravated Doshas (Sannipdta) should be deemed as incurable. Of the diseases peculiar to the roots of the teeth, the affections known as the SdnnipAtika Danta-uatdi (Sinus in the gums) and the Sinnipdtika Saushira (Mahd-Saushira) should be also deemed as incurable Of the affections of the teeth, those known as the Syjiva-dantaka, Dailaua and Bhanjana, and of the diseases which restrict themselves to the tongue, the one known as the AlSksa should be looked upon as incurable. Similarly, of the affections of the palate, the Arvuda should be deemed as incurable. Of those of the throat, the Svara60

p. 474

ghna, Valaya, Brinda, Balaisa, Bid^riki, Galaugha, Msimsa-tEina, Sataghni and Rohini should be regarded as beyond the pale of medicine. The nineteen kinds of the disease mentioned above are incurable, and the medical treatment of these diseases should be taken in hand without holding out any definite hope of recovery. 46 —49.

Thus ends the Twenty-second Chapter of the Chikitsita-Sthdnam in the Sus'ruta Samhitd which deals with the medical treatment of the diseasas of the moMth.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Now we shall discourse on the (symptoms and) medical treatment of swellings (oOpha). i.

The six kinds of swelling (Sopha) appearing in the particular parts of the body have already been described* with the variations in their symptoms and the medical treatment to be pursued in each case. But the swelling known as the Sarva-sara Sopha (general Anasarca) may be divided into five subheads. They are as follows, namely, the Vsitaja, Pittaja, Kapahja Sannip^taja and Vishaja (z> . the one due to the introduction of any extraneous poison ipto the system). 2.

Their causes :— The Doshas (morbific principles) become aggravated and give rise to swellings (Sopha") of the body, by such causes, as by undertaking a journey immediately after a meal, or by the use of Haritasdkas (potherbs , cakes and salts in inordinate quantities, or by the excessive use of acids by weak and emaciated persons, or by the use of clay, baked or unbaked, of lime-stones, or of the flesh of aquatic animals, or of those frequenting swampy places, excessive sexual intercourse, use of fares consisting of incompatible articles and lastly by the joltings when riding on elephants, horses, camels, in vehicles, etc., or on persons on the part of dyspeptic patients. 3.