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

m i x ed with water), (soup of Mdsha pulse) and

(honey mixed with water) respectively.

Chap. XLVIII. ] UTTARA-TANTRA. 30 J

as well as those of meat-soup and infusion of Yashtimadhu. Thirst which is incidental to the presence of mucus and undigested fecal matter in the intestines (Amaja) should be remedied with the decoction of Vilva, Vachd and the drugs of the Dipaniya (Pippalyddi) group or with the decoction of the drugs of the Dipaniya group mixed with Amrdtaka , Bhalldtaka and Vald . The type which has its origin in the use of heavy and indigestible fares or due to errors in diet as well as all other types of thirst with the exception of the one which is incidental to the waste of any fundamental organic principle should be cured by inducing vomiting. 27 — 28.

Solution of common treacle or Mantha or meatsoup is efficacious in allaying thirst which is due to physical fatigue. Warm Yavdgus or cold Manthas * would alleviate a thirst caused by the obstruction of the participated meal. A man should drink warm water in cases of thirst due to an excessive taking of any fatty substance (Sncha). The thirst of a habitual drunkard which is due to the reactionary effects of wine is allayed by draughts of half-diluted wine. Thirst due to heat, may be allayed with draughts of cold water surcharged with sugar or with the expressed juice of suger-cane. 29 — 33.

General Treatment Vomiting should be

induced in these cases with the decoction of such drugs as are remedial to the deranged bodily Doshas involved in each case and the digestive (Pdchana) remedies as prescribed in cases of fever should also be prescribed in these cases. Use of cooling plasters and of cold

* Warm Yav^gu should be prescribed in cases where Vdyu p re * ponderates and cold Mantha in cases where Pitta preponderates.

J 08 tHE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. XLVItt.

baths and spray, residence in cold chambers, exhibition of emetics and purgatives, use of milk, meat-essence, clarified butter and sweet and cooling lambatives would be likewise prescribed in all cases of thirst. 34 — 35.

Thus ends the forty-eighth chapter of the Uttara-Tantra in the Su&'ruta Samhit£ which deals with the (symptoms and) treatment of thirst.

CHAPTER XLIX.

Now we shall discourse on the chapter which deals with the (symptoms and) medical treatment of vomiting (Chhardi-Pratishedha).

Causes and Nomenclature ' The bodily Doshas are deranged and aggravated per force by the use of extremely liquid, emollient, unpalatable or oversalted food or of one taken at an improper time or in an inordinate quantity or which is incongcnial to the physical temperament of its user, as well as by over-fatiguing physical exercise, fear, mental agitation, indigestion, presence of worms (in the intestines), or quick eating or owing to pregnancy or any disgusting or loathsome causes. Thus deranged, the Doshas rush up to the mouth and after covering the whole of it come out with great force and with an aching pain in the limbs. This is. therefore, called Vomiting (Chhardi). 2.

The vital Vayu known as the Udina-Vdyu coming in combination with the one known as the Vydna-Vciyu in a man addicted to incompatible food and drink leads to the derangement of the bodily Doshas and rushes up to the upper part of his body (which causes vomit- •ng). 3Premonitory Symptoms !— Nausea, suppression of eructations, thin and saline water-brash and an aversion to food and drink are the premonitory symptoms of vomiting. 4.

Specific Symptoms Scanty ejections of frothy matter of strong astringent taste accompanied with a loud sound and cramps at the back and the aidfcs

3to tHE SUSIIRUTA SAMHITX.

[Chap. XLlX.

produce a sense of exhaustion or fatigue and increase after the digestion of a meal and this should be ascribed to the action of the deranged bodily Vtfyu. Vomiting of yellow, greenish or blood-streaked matter with an excessively acid, pungent or bitter taste in the mouth and attended with such complications as fever, dryness of mouth, fainting fits and burning and sucking (Chosha) sensations in the body, should be ascribed to the action of the deranged Pitta. Excessively cold, white, sweet, thick and mucous vomiting attended with horripilation, an aversion to food, heaviness of the limbs and lassitude should be ascribed to the Kaphaja type of vomiting. The specific features of all the three preceding types are present in the type due to the concerted action of all the three Doshas. 5 — 8. 4

Traumatic Casas : — The five cases of vomiting due to any disgusting or loathsome cause or to pregnancy, indigestion, presence of worms (in the bowels) or the taking of uncongenial food and drink, should be duly classified according to the Dosha aggravated in each case. The stomach is irritated in all types of vomiting. Fasting should, therefore, be the first remedy in these cases. Violent cramps and nausea as well as the symptoms of Krimija -1 Iridroga arc the special characteristics of a case of vomiting due to the presence of worms in the bowels. 9 — 10.