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

The region of the neck and the cheeks, etc., of the patient should be fomented again after the use of the oily snuff ;^Sneha-Nasya) and the patient should be made to smoke, and partake of a meal not composed of any phlegmagogic articles ( Anabhishyandi). He should then be advised as to regimen of conduct, etc. 'to be subsequently observed). Washing the head, exposure to the sun, dust and smoke, the use of any intoxicating liquor or of any other liquid or oleaginous substance, indulgence in a fit of anger and excessive driving, etc, are strictly prohibited (after the application of Sneha-Nasya). 25.

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Effects of proper, excessive, or deficient application of a Sneha-Nasya

(IVI. — T.) : — The effects of proper and excessive applications of (oily) snuffs will now be described. Lightness of the head, sound and refreshing sleep, the state of being easily awakened, alleviation of the disease, hilarity of the mind and a gladsome activity of the sense-organs in performing their respective functions, are the symptoms which attend a proper and satisfactory application (of an oleaginous medicinal snuff). Salivation, heaviness of the head, and dulness of the sense organs are the symptoms which result from an excessive application of a Sneha (Nasya) and the remedy in such cases consists in employing the parching measures or medicines. A case of deficient application (of a Sneha-Nasya) is marked by the functional derangements of the sense-organs* and a dryness (Rukshata) of the system without any indication of the amelioration of the disease. The remedy, in such cases, consists in a fresh application of the (oleaginous) snuff. 26.

The proper doses of an oleaginous errhine (SiroVireka) should be four, six or eight drops in accordance with the strength 'of the disease and of the patient under treatment). 27.

The fra ners of the Ayurveda have particularly classified the effects of the application (of a Sneha-Nasya) into three classes, viz., proper or satisfactory, deficient and excessive. The head being satisfactorily cleared (by the satisfactory application (of an oleaginous errhine) is marked by a sense of lightness in the head, clearness of the channels (of the mouth, throat, nostrils, etc.),

*Gayi's reading, according to Dallana, as well S'rikantha's reading is ''e{|ci^JJ<UjTt" which means the functional derangement of the local Vayu.

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an amelioration of the disease under treatment, healthy and vigorous workings of the sense-organs and an exhilarating sensation of the body and of the mind. Itching, clumsiness of the mouth\ heaviness, saturation of the local channels (of the mouth, throat, etc."! with mucous coatings are the symptoms which mark the deficient action of (an oleaginous) errhine. A discharge through the nostrils of Mastulunga (the brain matter), an aggravation of the Vdyu, dulness of the sense-organs and a sense of void or emptiness in the head are the indications which mark an excessive application of un (oleaginous) errhine. 28.

Measures and remedies possessed of the virtue of subduing the deranged Kapha and Vayu should be (respectively) employed in cases of excessive and deficient applications of (an oleaginous) errhine (Nasya), while in the case of a proper and satisfactory application the patient should be made to snuff in a quantity of clarified butter on each alternate day or at an interval of two days for one, two or three weeks in succession or for any longer period as considered proper according to the exigency of the case. In a case of an overwhelming aggravation of the Vayu, the patient may be made to use the snuff (of clarified butter) even twice a day. 29.

Avapida- Nasya :— The Avapida-Nasya, like the Siro-Virechana Nasya, should be administered to a person bitten by a snake, or lying in a comatose or unconscious stat^ or suffering from a disease of the head due to its being oppressed with an accumulation of fat and mucus (Abhisyanda). An Avpida-Nasya should be administered to a patient by pasting any of the (fresh) Siro-Virechana drugs and putting a few drops therefrom into the nostrils of the patient. In cases of a distraction of the mind or of a disease of a parasitic origin or ofp. 665 patients suffering from the effects of poisoning the fine powder 'of the Siro-Virechana drugs) should (by means of a pipe) be blown into the nostrils of the patient. Sugar, the expressed juice of the sugar-cane, milk, clarified butter or an extract of meat should be (similarly) administered in the case of a weak patient or of one suffering from an attack of Rakta-Pitta. 30.