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

* An additional reading says that a dry (thickend ?) Niruha-vasti produces a slimy deposit in the rectum and in the pelvic region, while one with its fluid of an extremely thin consistency would produce only a Utile effect and might produce diarrhoea.

t Jejjata's reading of this passage does not include the application of Sveda but means that the Uttara-vasti should be applied wiih a Sneha.

Chap. XXXVI.] CHIKITSA STHANAM. 603

and fails to enter into the intestines (Pakv^s'aya) in the event of the patient lying in a stooping posture during the application of a Vasti. The VAyu in such a case becomes aggravated and gives rise to pain in the regions of the heart, abdomen and rectum. The injected fluid fails to penetrate into the bowels in the event of the patient lying on his back during the application of a Vasti owing to the consequent obstruction of the passage. The bodily Vayu becomes in this case agitated and enraged by the (introduction of the) pipe (of the Vastly. A contracted position of the body or of both the thighs, during the application of a Vasti prevents the full outflow of the injected medicine from the intestines, owing to its being acted upon by the bodily Vayu. In a case of the application of a Vasti to a patient in a sitting posture, the fluid rolls down without entering into the bowels; it, i cannot consequently soothe the As'aya and thus proves abortive. The injected medicine cannot fully enter into the Pakvas'aya (intestines), when the Vasti is applied to a patient lying on his right side, since the Pakvds'aya is situated on the left side (of the abdomen). The application of a Vasti is not recommended when the patient lies on his face or in such other posture since it is followed by an aggravation of the bodily Vayu, which should be remedied by medicines chosen according to the exigencies of each case. 6.

We shall describe hereafter (in the next chapter) the dangers (Vyaipat) which attend the misapplication of a Sueha-vasti and the course of the medical treatment to be adopted in each. The dangers (Vyaipat) attending a deficient application (Ayoga) of a ^Niruha) Vasti with their respective treatment are described here in this chapter. 7.

604 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA, [Chap. XXXVI.

Ayoga. : —Cramps or colic pains (Sula) in the intestines, and heaviness and distension of the abdomen result from the application of a Vasti charged with a medicinal solution either cold, inadequate in quantity, or deficient in its therapeutic virtues. All these symptoms are included within the term Ayoga or deficient application of a Vasti which should be remedied by a strong Vasti and a strong purgative. 8.

Distension of the abdomen and consequently an excruciating pain (Sula in the regions of the sides, back, waist and the heart result from the applications of a Vasti to a person who has taken a second meal before the digestion of a previous one, or in the event of the presence of a large accumulation of Doshas (in his b3dyy If the Vasti b^ applied in a tepid state and in a large quantity just after a heavy meal, the results would be the same. Similar results would follow injections of cold medicinal solutions in large doses saturated with only a small quantity of salt and Sneha (oil or clarified butter as well as from those in a person with a large accumulation of foecal matter (in his bowels . The remedy in all these cases should consist in the application of a Vasti charged with stronger medicinal solutions as well as of an Atiuvdsanavasti. 9.

The Pitta and the Vayu of the body are conjointly aggravated by the application of a Vasti charged with extremely parching, hot and saline solutions which give rise to the distress^ known as Parikartika, attended •• ith a sort of cutting pain in the pelvis and about the anus and the region of the umbilicus. Applications of the Pichchhila-vasti of a medicated Sneha cooked with the drugs of the Madhura group should be the remedies in these cases 10.