An English Translation of the Sushruta Samhita, Vol. III: Uttara-tantra — trans. Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna (1916)

Evil effects Of Drinking Excessive drinking produces incidental nescience which gradually creeps into and clouds the sense-perceptions, destroying all power of self control (control over the sense-organs) and giving publicity to the innermost thoughts (in the mind) of the intoxicated person. 6.

Three stages of Alcoholic Intoxication ! — There arc three stages of intoxication — viz., the first, the second or intermidate and the third or last. The first or preliminary stage ( of intoxication ) is marked by an exhilarated state of mind with increased valour, and conviviality as well as satisfaction and talkativeness, etc. The second or intermediate stage is indicated by incoherent speech, exhilaration and the performance of proper and improper acts. In the third or last stage the man lies down unconscious, bereft of all powers of action, of memory and of judging the ethic effects of his acts. 7.

A man who is in the habit of taking fatty food or in whom 5 >leshm& predominates, or in whose constitution, there is only a little of Pitta, is not so easily affected by the action of wine, which, however, proves distressing in a person of contrary nature. Wine, if taken daily without food by a man in an empty stomach, gives rise to many distressing and dangerous diseases in his organism and leads to the ultimate dissolution of his body. 8-9.

Cases where wine Is prohibited

.Wine should not be taken by a person under the influence of anger, grief, fright, thirst or hunger. The use

Chap, XLVIL] UTTARA-TANTRA. 2 91

of \virt£ is prohibited immediately after a fatiguing journey, physical exercise or an act of load-carrying,, dr after the repressing of any physical urging, or after the use of excessively acid food, (D. R. excessive water and food) to the full, or before the proper digestion of food or by a weak person, or by one suffering from the effects of heat. In the above cases, wine undoubtedly proves a source of a host of bodily derangements such as PAnAtyaya, Paramada, PAnAjima and the violent PAnavibhrama the characterstic symptoms of which I shall presently describe. 10.

Specific symptoms of P^n^tyaya : —

The Vtftaja type of Psfoa'tyaya is marked by such symptoms as numbness and aching pain in the limbs, palpitation, a catching and pricking pain in the region of the heart and headache. Perspiration, delirium, dryness of the mouth, burning sensation and fainting fits (loss of consciousness) ;and yellowness of the face and eyes are the features which distinguish the Pittaja type (of PAnAtyaya). Vomiting, shivering and waterbrash are the indications which mark the Kaphaja type. The symptoms of all the three preceeding types being exhibited in the one due to the concerted action of the three deranged bodily Doshas— Tri-Doshaja type of PAnAtyaya. 1 1 .

Symptoms of Para-mada Heat and a

s.nse of heaviness in the body, bad taste in the mouth, excessive accumulation of Sleshma in the body, an aversion to food, supression of stool and urine, thirst, headache and a crushing pain in the joints are the symptoms which the learned physicion sets down to Pararmada (reactionary effects of the abuse of wine). 12.

Pdiidjirna and Pdna-Vibhrama

Distension of the abdomen (tympanites), acid or sour igi THE SUSIiKUTA SAMHITX. [Chap. XLVII.

taste (in the mouth), vomiting, deficient gastric digestion are the symptoms which are exhibited in a PrfnsCjirna type (alcoholic indigestion). Aggravation of the deranged Pitta should be regarded by a physicion as the exciting factor of the disease. The malady which exhibits such symptoms as piercing pain in the heart and limbs, vomiting, fever, a sensation of the rising of fumes into the throat, salivation, epileptic fits, headache, a burning sensation in the throat and an aversion to all sorts of food and wine (in connection with an abuse of wine) is called Prfna-Vibhrama. 13 -14.

Prognosis S — A patient suffering from the effects of excessive drinking and exhibiting such symptoms as protuded upper lip, excessive shivering or burning sensation and clamminess of the face, black or blue colour of the tongue, lips or teeth and yellowness or blood-colour of the eyes should be givin up as incurable. Hiccough, fever, vomiting, shivering, tremor, cramp of the sides, cough and vertigo are the supervening symptoms ( Upadrava ) which are found in all forms of PanAtyaya (alcoholism). 1 5.

Treatment of Vsftaja type s— Now hear me describe the medicinal remedies, for all the above said maladies. Wine saturated with the mixture of pulverised Chukra , Marietta , Adraka > Dipya (YamAni), Kushtha and Souvarchala should be given for the relief of the Vtftâja type of PAnAtyaya, or one mixed with Pritkvikd , Dtpyaka , Matwushadhi and Hingu , or with Souvarchala should be taken for comfort. ShAdavas or cordials made of Amrdtaka , Amra-fruits> Ddditna and Mdtulunga should be given for relief. In the alternative, . thft cooked flesh of an animal of Anupa group id tortoise, etc. should be seasoned with the expressed juice of above fruits and be taken. 16.

Chap. XLVII.]

UTTARA-TANTRA.