Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

I. have, recieved the five parts of “CharakaSamhita” .published- into English. Your labours in the field of reviving' the medical literature of the ancient Hindus,, by. way ;of bringing out both original texts and translations rinto English and Bengali, of the most im¬ portant Hindu medical works, surely deserve every encouragement -from all Indians. As a layman I do not wish, to hazard any -opinion as to the relative merits of the Hindu- system of medicine and other systems. But I think this much I can say without any diffidence that considering mens sdna in corpore sana to be the object of bur highest aspiration here, I .think, nowhere except in the ancient medical books of the Hindus, is to be found in earnest a systematic . attempt made to attend to the same. , Though , in this unfortunate country it may be apprehended that your labours will not be appreciated, yet let us hope that my countrymen have by this learnt to brush off the slur, and that they will come forward to encourage you in a manner worthy of your labours. For me especially, it is needless to add, it will give me much .pleasure to see you more and more useful in the walk of life .you have adopted for yourself; wishing every success to. your enterprise,

Yours very truly,

(Sd.) Roy Joteendra Nath Chowdhuri.

ABSTRACT

OF

THE CONTENTS OF THE SEVENTH FASCICULUS.

In this fasciculus occurs the Lesson (XVII) on some of the diseases of the Head. The diverse causes that induce such diseases have been indi¬ cated almost fully and are such that while reading, one fancies one is reading a modern European work on the subject.

Certain thoracic diseases also have been mentioned. The knowledge ■of.anatomy was not so defective at the age of Charaka as one might imagine from a grouping together of diseases under such a general name. The fact is, without seeking for a more scientific basis for classification, the •obvious consideration of the seat of the diseases was seized for grouping them together. Real scientific classification occurs later on.

Disorders of the faults, or wind, bile, and phlegm, have been particularly Indicated as causes of certain diseases. Remembering that wind, bile, and phlegm do not indicate what those words obviously mean, but represent certain states of the constitution, the analyses are not fanciful. Wind does not mean the wind that moves within the body bile does not mean the secretions from the liver ; phlegm does not mean the secretions from the mouth, the nose, and other organs, caused by catarrh or attacks of cold. They simply stand for certain conditions of the constitution, — conditions as dependant on observable symptoms. If such and such symptoms appear,, one is said to have one’s wind excited, and so on.

The Eighteenth Lesson treats of Swellings or Inflammations. It is impossible to set forth all the varieties of Swelling. The chief varieties, however, have been indicated very clearly. The subj ect has been treated more elaborately later on.

The Nineteenth Lesson is mere an abridgment than anything else. The diseases mentioned here have been described very elaborately in later Lessons. The fact should be mentioned that the portion of the work with which we are used concerned is called “ Sutra-sthana,” i. e., the place of aphorisms. The contents of the treatise are here indicated very briefly. The contents of the “ Sutra-sthana,” taken by themselves, do not furnish a basis for judging of the fulness or otherwise of the work. The portion called “Nidana-sthana ” (causes &c., of diseases), and “ chikitsa-sthana” (treatment &c. of diseases), are very full.

p. 185

eruptions on the ski n'^wKich are known by the name of Pidaka? And, O dispeller of all kinds of faults (that may assail the body), how many kinds of courses or tracks are there of what are called faults (of the body)?3

Hearing these words of Agniveija, the preceptor said, — 0 amiable one, hear in detail about what thou hast asked me !4

It_ has been seen that there are altogether five diseases of the head. The diseases of the thorax also are five in number ; of diseases, again, that are generated by inequalities in respect of the measure or quantity of wind, bile, phlegm, and the other consti¬ tuent elements of the body, the number is two and sixty.5 The kinds of deterioration or loss are eight and ten in number. There are altogether seven kinds of eruptions and abscesses due to diabetic affections. Of what are called faults, the courses or tracks are three in number; of these, I shall speak in detail.8