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

A judicious physician may prepare, in the light of the principle laid down in connection with the preparation and application of Vastis in general, hundreds of different other kinds of Vastis (e^emas^ with a due consideration of the virtues of their respective ingredients ;drugs) and the nature of the disease under treatment. Applications of Vastis are forbidden during the continuance of an undigested meal in the stomach. Proper rules of diet and conduct should be observed, and day-sleep should not be indulged in, after being treated with a Vasti. 45-46.

The compound Ma'dhu-Tailika Vasti is so called from the facts of its being principally composed of Madhu (honey) and Taila (oil) The term Yllkta-Ratha Vasti owes its nomenclature to the fact of its imposing no restriction as regards riding in caniages (Rathas), or on horses and elephants after their application. The Siddha- Vasti derives its name from the uniform success (Siddhi) which attends its application in a large number of cases of bodily distempers and from its irresistible power in improving the strength and complexion of the body. Ma^dhu-Tailika Vastis are recommended to persons of easy and luxurious habits as well as in respect of those whose bowels can be easily moved, or who are in the habit of being daily treated with emulsive measures (Sneha-karma) and whose organisms are marked by scanty accumulations of the bodily Doshas. A Siddha- asti does not produce any di.stress or discomfort, since it is mild in potency and is applied

646 TIIK SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap XXXVIII.

in only three quarters of the usual dose (nine Prasritas only) and does not entail any strict observance of the regimen of diet and conduct (such as the previous administration of emetics and purgatives, etc.), and since it produces a satisfactory result by a single application. 47.

Th«3 ends the Tliirty-eighih Chapter of the Chikitsita Sth^natn in the Sus'ruta Samhitd which deals with Niruha-Vastis.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

Now we shall discourse on the treatment of distressing symptoms* which arc manifested in a patient

(Aturopadrava-Chikitsitam). i.

The digestive fire (Kayagni) of a person naturally grows duUf after the exhibition of emetics and purgatives^ after the administration of a Niruha-Vasti, after the internal application of a Sneha and after blood-letting'. It is further lessened by the eating of extremely heavy (difficult of digestion) articles of fare, just as a low or dull fire is extinguished by a heavy load of fuel. Light meals taken in small quantities, on the other hand, increase the digestive fire under these circumstances, just as light fuel in small quantities serves to re-kindle a low fire. 2.

The quantity of diet should be proportionate to the Dosha (morbific diathesis) eliminated from the or-^^anism. The quantity of the Dosha or Doshas eliminated consists of three measures, viz., one Prastha,^ half an Adhaka or an Adhaka (at most). The first is the lowest, the second is the intermediate and the last named measure (one Adhaka) should be deemed as the highest quantity (of the Dosha that can be eliminated under the circumstances). 3.

Yavagu fgruel) prepared with a small quantity of rice (Tandula) should be given once, twice or thrice respect-

* By "distressing symptoms" r.re generally meant those complications that follow the exhibition of emetics, purgatives, Vaslis, etc.

+ We have been told that the digestive fire is kindled by the exhibition of emetics, purgatives, etc., but here we are told just the reverse. The solution is that the digestive fire is ultimately kindled by these measures, whereas, immediately after the exhibition, it becomes dull and sluggish.

\ The Prastha measure here means thirteen Palas and a half.

648 TllK SUSllRUTA SAMUITA. [Chap. XXXIX.

ivcly in cases of the eliminated Dosha being a Prastha, half an Adhaka or an Adhaka in quantity. 4.

After this a quarter part of the quantity of rice or grain otherwise deemed proper and adequate for the patient, should be cooked in the form of Vilepi. The rice or the grain (used in the preparation) should be well boiled, without the addition of any Sneha (oil or clarified butter) or salt. 5.

It should then be (passed through a piece of cloth and) made non-slimy, and should be taken in the above-prescribed manner with a clear (pure) soup of Mud^a-puhe. The patient should then be given a diet measuring half the quantity of his usual one. The food, in this case, should be well saturated with any oleaginous substance (Sneha^. The meal of the patient in the next stage should consist of well-boiled rice measuring three parts only of his usual diet and should be made palatable to the taste and sufficient to stimulate the sense-organs. The meal in this case, should be taken with the transparent surface of clarified butter {Ghrita-manda). After this period the patient should be allowed to take his full meal with well-prepared soups of venison, etc. d-y.