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

Treatment of Apinasa and Putlnasya S— In cases of the first-mentioned disease (t.e. Apinasa) and in those of Pati-nasya, applications of Sneha and of Sveda to the affected part, and application of emetics and purgatives should be made. The diet should be light and moderate in quantity. The water for drinking should be boiled before use, and inhalation of smoke (Dhuma-pdna) should be indulged in at the proper time. Hingu, Trikatu, Indra-Yava , S'ivdti*, Ldkshd , Katp/tala, Vacfia, Kushtha, S' obhdnjana, Vidanga , and Karanja should be used daily with benefit in the manner of AvapidaNasya. Mustard oil should be duly cooked with the aforesaid drugs together with cow’s urine and be used as an errhine (Nasya). 2-3.

Treatment of N^s^-pstka, etc. In

cases of NâSb-pdka, all the Pitta-subduing measures both for internal and external use should be duly employed. Barks of the Kshiri (milk-exuding) trees mixed with clarified butter should be duly employed as wash and plaster after a local bleeding. The medical treatment of ^Onita-pitta (Haemorrhaege) from the nose shall be hereafterf described. A case of Pnya-Rakta ( discharge of bloody pus from the nose ) sjiould be treated

* S'ivdti may mean either white Punarnavd or SUfhdlihd. Neither Chakrapdni nor Vrinda reads it in the text, t See ch. XLIV of the Uttara-Tantra.

*6

122 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITX. [Chap. XXIII.

as a case of sinus (NAdi) * for all practical purposes, and Avapida-nasya as well as inhalations of smoke (Dhuma) of keen-potencied drugs and Nasya (snuff or errhines) of drugs of correcting or purifying virtues should be used after the satisfactory exhibition of emetics. 4-5.

Treatment of Kshavatu and BhramS'athu S — Powders of head-purgaing drugs in the form of snuff should be administered into the nostrils through a pipe in cases of Kshavathu and Bhramrfâthu. The head should be duly fomented with Vâyusubduing drugs and inhalation of Sneha-Dhumaf as well as similar other medicinal measures remedial to the deranged bodily Vâyu should be resorted to. All the Pitta-subduing measures should be employed in a case of Dipta, and all cooling remedies and the drugs of sweet taste should also be prescribed. 6-7.

Treatment of NsCssC-nsCha, etc. The

internal use of Sneha (Sneha-pâna) forms the principal remedy in a case of NissC-niha, in which fumigations with lardacious drugs as well as head-purgings may be likewise employed. The use of Bali-Taila or any other Vâyu-subduing remedy mentioned in the chapter on the treatment of V£ta-vyâdhi (Ch. V. Chikitsita Sth£na) may be similarly used with beneficial results. Powdered snuff should be introduced into the nostrils through a pipe or tube, and strong and keen AvapidaNasya should be used in cases of Nstsft-Srfifra. Strong fumes of (burnt) Deva-ddru and Chitraka should be applied to the affected part. Goat’s flesh is also found beneficial in such cases. 8-9.

* See ch. XIV of the Chikitsita-Sthrfna.

t See ch. XVII of the Chikitsita-Sthdna*

Chap. XXIII.]

UTTARA-TANTRAM.

**3

Treatment of NsCssC-^osha The -use of clarified butter churned out of milk, as well as that of the oil as an errhine prepared in the manner of Anu-taila are pre-eminently the best cures in a case of NAstf-iiosha. Potions of clarified butter, meals with JAngala meat-soup, applications of Sneha and of Sveda, and fumigating the affected part with lardacious drugs may be similarly prescribed with best advantage. The remaining nasal diseases should be duly treated according to the specific treatment of each case as described before, io-ii.

Thus ends the twenty-third chapter of the Uttara-Tantra in the Sus'ruta Samhiti which deals with the treatment of the diseases of the nose.

CHAPTER XXIV.

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

(Pratisy^ya-Pratlshedha). i.

Causes: — Excessive indulgence in sexual intercourse, heating of the head, entrance of the minute particles of dust or smoke into the nostrils, excessive application of cold or heat, voluntary retention of stool and urine are the cauS33 which may instantly usher in an attack of nasal catarrh (Pratis'yâya). The fundamental principles of Vdyu, Pitta and Kapha, jointly and separately, as well as of blood becoming aggravated by various aggravating causes, bring on an attack of nasal catarrh in course of time . 2-3.

Premonitary Symptoms Heaviness of the head, sneezing and aching in the limbs, appearance of goose-flesh upon the body, as well as many other different kinds of supervening symptoms are seen to precede an attack of nasal catarrh (Pratis'yiya). 4.