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

Application of Dhuma:— The stick (Varti) to be used in the process should be duly made of Manah • s'ild, Dcva-ddru , Haridrd , Potra , Guggulu , Ldkshd and Eranda- roots made into a paste. Compounds made of clarified butter, fresh wax and resin ; or of cow’s horn, hairs, hoof, tendon and skin ; or of Turashka (S>ild-rasa), S’allaki (Mocha-rasa), Guggulu and Padmaka , should be pounded together (and made into sticks) with the addition of clarified butter. An intelligent physician should use these (sticks) for the purpose of smoke-inhalation in the disease. 36.

Purging and vomiting should be induced in a patient overwhelmed with the action of the deranged Kapha, while Tarpana measures with the administration of a potion of the well -cooked soup of mutton or of the flesh of any Jangala or Anupa animal, should be prescribed in the case of a weak or enfeebled patient, or in respect of' one suffering from an internal parched condition of the body. 37.

A lambative should be prepared with Nidigdhikd paste of the weight of an Amalaka % mixed with half as much of powdered Hingu and with a copious quantity of honey. Duly taken, it would per force conquer a paroxysm of asthma within three days. 38.

Irresistible is an attack of asthma like that of a fire fed with heaps of fuel (D. R. fauned by the wind) or like that of the thunderbolt hurled by the wrathful Indra, the king of the gods. 39.

Thus ends the iifty-iir^l chapter in the Ultara-Tantra of the Sus'rulaSamhit& which cicala with the (symptoms and) treatment of asthma.

CHAPTER LIL

Now we shall discourse on the chapter which deals with the (symptoms and) medical treatment of cough.

(Krfsa-Pratishedha). i.

Cause and Etiology Cough has its origin in the same sets of causes, which excite or usher in an attack of hiccough or asthma. The vital VAyu of the body known as the Prana-VAyu combined with other Doshas (Pitta and Kapha) is deranged by such causes as the entrance of smcke or of particles of dust (into the larynx and nostrils), over-fatiguing physical exercise, inordinate use of any dry or parched (Ruksha) food, any food going wrong way, voluntary repression of sneezing or of any natural propulsion of the body. Thus deranged, it is suddenly pressed upward and emitted through the mouth in unison with the deranged Udina-VAyu (situated in the trachea) producing a peculiar sound resembling that of broken Indian bell-metal. This is called Krfsa (cough) by the learned. 2—3.

Classification : — This disease is divided into five types according as it is originated through the action of the deranged Viyu, or Pitta or Kapha of the body, or is due to the presence of any ulcer (Kshata) or to any wasting process (Kshayaja) in the organism. These five types of cough are recognised by the physicians (in practice), which, when fully developed, (i.e., if neglected) would tend to produce phthisis (Yakshmd). 4.

Premonitory Symptoms {-Itching in the throat, a sense of obstruction in eating (difficulty of deglutition), a sticky feeling in the throat and in

Chap. LJI.] UTTARA-T ANTRA. 327

the palate, changed voice, aversion to food, and dulness of the digestive fire are the symptoms which ushei; in an attack of cough. 5.

Specific Symptoms--— A person affected with a cough of the Vfiftaja type, complains of an aching pain in the region of his heart, in his temples, head, stomach and the sides and has dry and frequent coughs (unattended with mucous expectorations), with a pale face, a weak and hoarse voice and diminished strength and vigour (Ojas). A burning feeling in the region of the heart, fever, sense of dryness, and a bitter taste in the mouth, thirst, yellow and pungent expectoration, paleness of complexion and a burning sensation in the body, are the indications of the Pittaja type of Kdsa. A sticky sense in the mouth, a sense of physical lassitude, headache, aversion to food, a sense of heaviness in the body, itching, frequent fits of cough and thick mucous expectorations are the features which distinguish the Kaphaja type. 6—8.

Symptoms Of Kshataja Kâsa S— Ulceration in the Vakshas (chest ?) caused by loud reading, over-fatiguing physical exercise or carrying loads of excessive weight, or incidental to any blow or hurt dealt thereon, affects the locality and gives rise constant fits of cough accompained by blood-spitting. The disease is called Kshatja Kaisa or cough of ulcerated chest. 9.

Sexual excess, carrying heavy loads, excessive toils of journey, over-exertion in battle, forcible controlling of horses and elephants and such other fatiguing feats tend to produce parchedness of the system and ulcers in the Uras (chest) whereby the bodily Vâyu is deranged and cough is produced. The patient is afflicted only with a sort of dry cough at the outset but begins to

328 TIIE SUSIIRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. UI.