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

generally commences with .shi\ urin'^^, horripilation, cloudiness of visicMi, iipcoursing of the bodily Vdyu and an.nesthesia, a pricking pain in the affected locality, numbness or paralysis of the jaw-bone, or of the cervical muscles of the neck, Ph)sicians, conversant with the i^tiology of diseases, call it Arditam (Facial paralysis). Prognosis : — A case of Arditam, appearing in an extremely enfeebled or emaciated patient, or exhibiting such symptoms as a winkless vision, inarticulate speech which hardly seems to come out of the throat, excessive palsy of the face, as well as the one of more than three years' standing, should be deemed as incurable. 58.

Gridhras'i (Sciatica): — The disease in which the two great nerve-trunks (Kandara), which emanating from below the lower extremity of the thigh reach down to the bottom of the insteps and toes, and become stuffed or pressed with the enraged Vayu, thus depriving the lower extremities of their power of locomotion, is called Gridhras'i. 59.

ViS'vachi (Erbe's paralysis or Bracial neuralgia): — The disease in which the enraged Vayu affecting the nerve-trunks (Kandara) which run to the tips of fingers from behind the roots of the upper arms, making them incapable of movement and depriving them of their power of flexion or expansion is called Vis'vachi* 60.

KrOShtukas'irsha (Synovitis of the kneejoints): — An extrimely painful swelling in the knee-

* When the aforesaid nerve of a sirgle arm is aflecld the disease is restricted to it alone, while it attacks the both when both their nerves are affected.

p. 15

joints, which is originated through the concerted action of the deranged Vayu and the vitiated blood is called Kroshtukas'irsha from the fact of its resembling the head of a jackal (Kroshtuka) in shape. 6i.

Khan ja (Lameness): — -The disease proceeds from the drawing up of the nerve trunks (Kandara) of a leg by the deranged Vayu lying about the region of the waist. When both the legs are similarly affected, the patient is called a Pangu. He, whose legs tremble before starting for a walk and who afterwards manages to go on limping is called a Kalaya Khanja one in whom the bone-joints become loose. 62 — 63.

Vata Kantaka : —The local Vayu, enraged by making a false step on an uneven ground, finds lodgment in the region of the ankle (Khudaka, instep according to others), thus giving rise to a disease which is called Vata Kantaka. The burning sensation in the soles of the feet caused by the enraged local Vayu, in conjunction with the deranged Pittam and blood, is called Pada-daha, which is generally seen to afflict persons of pedestrian habits. When the legs are deprived of all sensibility of touch, and a sort of tingling pain is experienced in them it is termed Padaharsha, which is due to the deranged action of the Vayu and Kapham. The disease in which the enraged local Va}'u dries up the normal Kapham lying about the shoulderjoints is called Ansa-shoshaka. The form in which the aggravated local Vayu contracts the nerves of the arms is called Avavahuka*. 64—67.

Vad hiry ay am (deafness) : —The disease occurs only when the deranged Vayu, either singly or sur-

* The Ansa-shosha is due to the single action of the enraged Vayu, while Ava-vahuka is due to the concerted action of the deranged Vayu and Kapharo.

1 6 THESUSHRUTA SAMIIITA. [Chap. I.

charged with the Kapham, stuffs the sound -carrying channels (Srota) of the cars. 68.

Kama S'ulam:— The disease in which the deranged Vayu causing a piercing pain in the regions of the cheekbones, head, temples and neck, gives rise to a sort of aching pain in the tympanum, is called Karnas'ulam (otitis). The local Vc-'iyu, deranged and saturated with the Kapham stuffing the nerves (Dhamani) which conduct of the sound of speech, produces complete (in some cases partial) loss of the power of speech — e }^. Muka (dumbness , Mimnina (nasal voice) and Gad-g-ada (indistinct speech). 69—70

A sort of pain, which (rising from the bowels or the urinary bladder and ranging downward) gives rise to a bursting sensation in the regions of the anus and the genitals, is called Tuui, whereas the one, rising upward from the preceding parts and extending up to the region of the intestines, is called Prati-tuni. A distension of the abdomen (Udara), attended with the incarceration of flatus (Vayu) and an intense pain and rumbling in its inside, is called Adhmanam (Tympanites). When it first affects the stomach f Amasaya) and is unattended with an oppressive feeling about the heart and pain at the sides'" it is called Pratyadhmauam. The Va>-u saturated with the deranged Kapham causes the preceding t\-pe of distemper. 71 — 74.

A knotty stone-like tumour (Granthi) of considerable density, whether fixed or mobile, and appearing below the umbilicus, and having an elevated shape which is always found to be extended in an upward direction, is called a Vatasthila, (which) as its name implies, is due to the action of the local deranged Vayu. The tumour, thus formed, obstructs the emission of flatus and impedes the evacuation of faeces. A tumour of similar shape.

Chap. I.] NIDANA STIIANAM. 1 7