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

Thus ends the fifty-fifth chapter of the Uttara-Tantra in the Sus v ruta Samhita which deals with the (symptoms and) treatment of Udâvarta.

* Dallana takes dried (S'ushka) with both ‘ Mulaka and Ardraka.

f Dallana recommends the major Pancha-mula \ but according to Chakrapdni’s commentary, “Bhanumati,” it should be the minor Panchainula.

CHAPTER LYI.

Now we shall discourse on the chapter which deals with the (symptoms and) medical treatment of Vishuchikd type of cholera, etc. (Visuchiksf-PratUhedha). i.

CaU 863 S —V isuchi, Alasaka and Vilambikd are produced from the effects of the three kinds of indigestion spoken of before (in Sutra, chapter XLVI), vis., Amâjirna (indigestion properly so-called), Vidagdhdjirna (indigestion with acidity) and Vishtabdhdjirna (indigestion with undigested food stuffed into the intestines in the form of undigested fecal matter). 2.

Definition l— The disease in which the deranged and incarcerated bodily Vdyu produces, owing to th% presence of indigestion, a pricking pain in the limbs resembling that produced by the pricking of needles is called Visuchikd by the physicians. Men well-versed in the (dietetic) principles and temperate in their diet, enjoy an almost absolute immunity from its attack, whereas fools who arc greedy and intemperate and eat like gluttons, fall an easy victim Jo it. 3.

Symptoms: — Fainting, diarrhoea (loose motions), vomiting, thirst, pain, cramps, vertigo, yawning, burning sensation in the body, discolouring or paleness of complexion, pain (cramps) at the heart and a breaking pain in the head arc the symptoms of Visachikft 4.

Alasaka ■ — Excessive pain in and stuffedness of the abdomen, rumbling noise (in the intestines),* and the upward coursing of the Vdyu incarcerated in the abdomen making a croaking rumbling sound in its way

* According to S'rikantha the commentator on Msidhava’s Niddna— the patient himself makes an indistinct sound.

Chap. LVI.J

UTTARA-TANTRA.

p. 355

upwards, absolute suppression of stool and flatus, hio cough * and eructations — a patient suffering from these symptoms is said have an attack of Alasaka. 5.

Vilambika S — The person in whom the deranged and undigested food matter does not find any outlet either through the upper or lower channels of the body owing to the fact of its being obstructed in its course by the action of the deranged Vdyu and Kapha, is said to be suffering from an attack of Vilâmbiktf by old medical experts and should be given up as incurable. In whatever part of the body the Ama (undigested food matter) is present, it produces its’own characteristic symptoms in that very part and the vitiation of a particular Dosha in such cases should be diagnosed by the presence of the characteristic symptoms (e. g. distension, etc.,) of Ama (indigestion)* 6 — 7,

Prognosis : — A patient exhibiting such sympr toms as blackish blue (S>yâma) colour of teeth, nails and lips, diminished consciousness, vomiting, eyes sunk in their sockets, feeble voice and looseness of all the joints, should be regarded as not returning from his journey (to the eternal home). 8.

General Treatment in the curable types, cauterization of the regions of Pdrshni (heels), dry fomentation, exhibition of strong emetics and such like measures are recommended. Fasting should be observed at (the time of) the digestion of the food. Digestive (Pdchana) remedies as well as purgatives should also be prescribed. The patient gets instantaneous relief in cases of fainting, diarrhoea, etc., on the cleansing of his body with the medicinal (emetic or purgative) remedies. Intestinal injections after the manner of an As'thdpana Vasti may be likewise applied in all cases

* M4dhava reads “thirst” in place of “hic-cougb.”

p. 45

5$4. THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITX. (Chap. LVL of the present disease. Now hear me describe the recipes of other medicinal compounds which may be employed in the aforesaid diseases in addition to those already mentioned. 9—10.