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

The above order of taking one-fourth, half and threefourths of the usual meal applies in cases of deficient, intermediate (moderate), or satisfactory action of a purgative. 8.

Peyas, taken in an aggravated condition of the deranged Pitta, and Kapha, or by a person addicted to drinking habits or subsequent to a deficient exhibition of emetics and purgatives, may give rise to an increased (mucous) secretion (Abhishyanda) in the organism. Tarpana measures (demulcent food) should, therefore, be deemed beneficial in these instances. 9.

A person is likely to fast from any of the following

Chap. XXXIX. J CHIKITSA STHANAM. 649

causes, e. g., pain, unattainment of wished-for objects, penance, bereavement, and mental distraction. Rules enjoined to be observed after a course of purgatives should as well be adhered to in such cases. 10.

An Adhaka, half an Adhaka and a Prastha measure should similarly be the quantity of excretion in connection with a course of purgatives under the three different degrees of its action. But some are of opinion that there may be no fixed quantity of excretion in this case, since purgation should not be considered satisfactory until the S'leshma (^mucus) of the system has come out. * A purgation should be considered satisfactory when the S'leshmd comes out and in that case no more purgative should be given. The strength (Bala) of a patient has been laid down to be of three degrees, consequently the rules of diet and conduct should be similarly determined. A strong patient should observe the regimen of diet only once, one of middling strength (Midhya-balai twice, while a weak patient thrice. Certain authorities, however, assert that this order of diet should be observed by the patients with an impiired, intermediate and keen digestion, 11.

Lest the Doshas might become aggravated by the appetite already kindled by the observation of the rules of diet prescribed for the purpose, the patient should be made to take his meal in the following order at this stage. Sweet and bitter articles of fare should be partaken of at the outset of a meal, followed by oleaginous, acid, saline and pungent food. After this, sweet, acid and saline food should again be taken followed by

* Here a line is not found in the printed edition of the Sus'ruta Samhita, which is evident from Dallana's commentary and supported by S'rikantha Datta in his commentary on Vrinda. The line is as follows : —

p. 82

650 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. XXXIX.

articles of sweet and bitter tastes. Dry (Ruksha) and demulcent food should be enjoined in succession in the course of a meal. The meals of a healthy person should then be prescribed. 12.

Light diet should be given for a week after the internal use of a Sneha and after the exhibition of emetics. A patient should observe a proper regimen of recoupment of his health, after having been subjected to a course of bloodletting or treated with a course of S'odhana remedy (purgative). Intervals of three days should be allowed between two successive applications of a Vasti and the period of the third interval thus allowed, should be determined according to the requirements of each case.* 13,

A patient suffering from an ulcer (Vrana) or recently treated with emulsive measures (Sneha-karma) or cleansing (emetics or purgatives) measures, or afflicted with any affection of the eyes or with fever attended with dysentery (Jvaratisara) resembles a vessel of unbaked clay fitted with oil, i.e.^ such a patient is greatly liable to the derangement of the Doshas. 14.

An irascible mood or fit of anger (in such a person) agitates his Pitta and produces Pittaorigined distempers ji* physical labour and grief cause a distracted state of the mind ; and gratification of sexual desires (in such a state) brings on such dangerous diseases as convulsions, epileptic fits, paralysis, aching pain in the limbs, swelling about the anus, cough, hiccup and t The Fitta-origined distempers are thirst, burning sensation, etc.

* Some commentators explain this verse to mean that the patient should observe the rules of diet and conduct (prescribed hereafter) for a period of three days after each application of a Vasti, but after the third application the rules of diet and conduct should be determined according to requirements.

Chap. XXXIX. J CHIKITSA STHANAM. 65 1 emission of blood-streaked semen and haemorrhage from the vagina. 15- A.

Day-sleep under the circumstances, gives rise to the affections of the deranged Kapha, viz., enlargement of the spleen (Plihodara), catarrh, jaundice, edema, fever, loss of consciousness, a sense of physical langour, indigestion, an aversion to food, and causes the patient to become overwhelmed with the quality of Tamas which produces in him a desire for sleep. 15-B.

Talking in a loud voice aggravates the Vdyu and is attended with such grave consequences as pain in the head, blindness, inertness, loss of the faculty of smell, dumbness, deafness, dislocation of the jaw-bones (Hanumoksha), Adhi-mantha, facial paralysis, paralysis of the eye-balls (Netra-stambha), thirst, cough, insomnia, shaking of the teeth and similar other distempers (due to an aggravation of the Vdyu). 15 C.