Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

Thus have been mentioned the several varieties of Urine according to their properties. The varieties of Milk are now to be mentioned, as also their properties and functions,104 The varieties of milk are those of the sheep, the goat the cow, the buffalo, the camel, the elephant, the horse, and women,105 Almost all varieties of milk are sweet, oily, cooling, glactiphorous, refresh¬ ing, nutritious, and aphrodisiac ; strengthen memory, body, and mind;106 promote vitality, relieve fatigue, cure asthma and cough, heal hemorrhages caused by disorders of the bile, aid the the cure of wounds and fractures,107 wholesome unto all living beings, soothe and correct all disorders (of bile, wind, and phlegm), allay thirst, promote the appetite, and highly beneficial in cases of weakness and ulcers.108 It is prescribed in jaundice and anaemia, in cases of acidity and biliousness, pulmonary con¬ sumption, glandular enlargements in the abdomen, abdominal dropsy, diarrhoea, fevers, burning of the skin, and swellings.109 It is also used as a remedy in disorders of the (female) generative organs, of the the semen, and of urine ; in leucorrhcea, in cases of scybalas, and in disorders of wind and bile. 110 It is used also in errhines, plasters, and baths; for producing vomiting, with enemata, in purgatives, liniments, and for diverse other purposes.111 Here I have not mentioned the properties of each separate variety of milk. I shall once more mention them in detail in the] Lesson on Food and Drinks.113

There are three other trees different from those whose fruits and roots are used. They are Snuhi(a), Arka(^), and Afmantaka(c) .

* Hysteria and the like. — T.

a. Called also Manasa ; Euphorbia meriifolia.

1. Called also Akanda ; Calatropis gigantea or procera ; syn. Asclepias gigantea. c. Identified by Dr. Sircar with Plectranthus aromaticus.

CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

p. 11

The actions of these are as follows.113 Afmantaka is used as an emetic ; the milk of Snuhi is used in purgatives. The milk of the Arka, it should be known, is used both in emetics and purgatives.114

Three other trees, as follows, are mentioned, whose barks are beneficial. They are Putika(rz), Krishnagandha(<5), and Tillaka(c).115 Both Putika and Tillaka should be applied in purgatives; Krishna* gandha is directed to be used in erysipelas, swellings, and piles.110 A wise physician should know that these three trees with the three mentioned above are also remedies in psoriosis, phlegmonoid inflamations, boils of the lymphatic glands, leprosy, and the diseases called Alaji *11T

Thus are described the trees whose fruits and roots are used, the Oils, the Salts, the Urines, the Milks, and the six trees whose juices and barks are used.118

The goat-herds, the shepherds, and the cow-herds, who frequently go to the woods, and those that live in the woods, know plants by name and appearance.119 It is not, however, by mere knowledge of names and appearance that one can be said to know the plants completely.120 He who knows the names and appear¬ ances of plants and can combine them (according to their proper¬ ties) is said to be a knower of plants (pharmaceutist). But he who knows plants fully (i.e., their names, appearances, properties, actions, applications, &c., ) is a physician.121 But he who is acquainted with their applications according to considerations of time and place, after having observed (their effects on) individual patients, should be known as the best of physicians.122

An unknown drug is like poison or weapon or fire or thunder, while a known drug is like nectar ( amrita ).123 Drugs unknown by name, appearance, and properties, or misapplied even if known, produce mischief.124 Well-applied, a virulent poison even may become an excellent medicine, while a medicine misapplied be¬ comes a virulent poison.125 An intelligent man, therefore, whodesires a. Called also Natakaranja ; Gtiilandina bonducetta.

b. Called also Cobhanjana; Moringa pterygosperma.

t. Called also Lodhra ; Symplocos raceniosa.

* Vidradhikd is identified by Prof. Wilson with phlegmonoid inflamations, especially of a deep-seated nature. Alaji as used here is difficult to identify, the name being applied to several kinds of diseases. Dr. Sircar supposes it to mean gangrenous abscesses. I do not know what his authority is. — T.

p. 12

CHARAKA-SAMHITA \

life and health, should not take a medicine prescribed by a physician unskilled in applying medicines. 1 2 8 The thunderbolt of Vasava, falling upon the head, may leave a hope of life, but a medicine prescribed by an ignorant person will not leave a patient hope of life.1 2 T A person by even conversing with that conceited man who administers medicine, without knowing its properties, to a suffering, bed-ridden, and trustful patient, and who (on that account) is regarded to be an irreligious, sinful and wicked-souled wight and like unto the Destroyer himself, falls into hell.128-*9