Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

When both the wind and bile become attenuated, the phlegm, strongly affecting, all the ducts of the body, brings about the loss of all exertion ( i,e.f general langour ), loss of consciousness, and suppression of the voice or speech.58.

When both the wind and the phlegm become attenuated, the bile, affecting the element known by the name of Ojas, produces a general lassitude of the body, a general weakness of all the senses, thirst, loss of consciousness-, and inability to do any act.5®

Upon the attenuation of both bile and phlegm, the wind afflict ing all the vital parts of the body, destroys consciousness and causes tremors.®0

The three faults of the system ( viz., wind, bile, and phlegm), when excited and strengthened, put forth their respective indica¬ tions according to the measure of their respective strength or force. When, on the other hand, they become attenuated, a disappear¬ ance takes place of their respective indications, commensurate with the degree of their attenuation. When all of them exist

p. 192

CHAR A KA -SA MHITA .

in their normal state, each of them puts forth its own indications equally with the other two.61

Attenuation is in respect of the wind and the others ; of the (seven) elements beginning with Rasa or humour and the others; of the impurities evacuated by the system ; and of the element called Ojas. Amongst these several kinds of attenuation, the indications have already been laid down of wind and the others.*63

When the element called Rasa (liquid humour) becomes attenuated, the heart becomes subject to a sensation of strong agitation ; it becomes incapable of hearing any kind of loud noise ; palpitation overtakes it ; it becomes the seat also of an acute pain ; it also becomes subject to a dull pain without any intermission ; and the person feels such a sensation of langor that the slightest exertion fatigues him.63

When the element of blood becomes attenuated, a roughness overspreads the .whole body ; portions of it are seen to burst open ; a loss of splendour also overtakes the patient; and the skin becomes dry.64

If the flesh becomes attenuated, the symptoms that manifest themselves are those enumerated above ( as the consequences of the loss of blood ) and the following in particular, viz., emaciation pf the waist, of the neck, and of the belly.65

If the element of fat becomes attenuated, the symptoms that /appear are a sensation like that of the bursting of the joints, a painful or burning sensation in the eyes, fatigue upon the slight¬ est exertion, and an emaciation of the belly.66

Upon the attenuation of bones, the symptoms that appear are the falling away of the hair on the head and the body, of nails, of the beard, and of the teeth ; a sensation of fatigue upon the slightest exertion, and utter weakness of all joints.67

If the marrow becomes attenuated, the symptoms that should

* There are altogether eighteen kinds of attenuation or decrease. Three appertain to wind, bile, and phlegm ; seven to the seven elements beginning with Rasa ; two to the impurities evacuated, viz., stools and urine; five to the impurities evacuated by the five senses ; and one to the element called Ojas. Of these, the indications have been explained of the attenuation that appertains to the three elements of wind, bile, and phlegm. The rest are to be discoursed upon in answer to the disciple’s question, _ T,

CHAR A KA-SAMHITA.

p. 193

be ascribed to that cause are a sensation of, as it were, the bursting of all the bones, excessive weakness of the bones, and their loss of weight. All kinds of diseases, again, due to disorders of the wind, also appear.68

The symptoms of a person whose vital seed has been attenua¬ ted are general weakness, a dryness of the mouth, paleness of complexion, languor of the body, fatigue upon the slightest exertion, loss of virility, and emission of the semen.*8*

When the stools decrease below the quantity that is normal, the wind in the constitution of the patient who has become dry, becomes provoked or aggravated and afflicting his entrails forcesthem upwards and penetrates the abdomen in transverse and upward directions.-]*701

When the urine decreases below the normal quantity, the symptoms that appear are strangury, and loss of color of the urine itself. Besides this, the patient suffers from thirst, and his mouth becomes dry.71

As regards the other organs or outlets of the body, when their secretions decrease below the normal measure, all of them seem to be empty, light, and dry.72