Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

Cixa,s O. Ccuitman HXsq., St Louis, Ohio U. S\ A. : — The work interest me very^highly, and I have already, on last night, tuken it to the meeting of one of our medical societies, and read extracts from it which excited a lively curiosity and expiessions of interest. I will send selections from it to a medical journal and also to a pharmaceutical monthly.

ABSTRACT OP CONTENTS.

The measurements of the different limbs of the body are com¬ pleted in this part. (Apporism 132).

Longevity, happiness, power, wealth, &c., depend on the possession of a body of proper measurements.

The particulars are then set forth of the examination of a patient as regards his powers of assimilation. (Apporisms 134-35).

The next topic is the examination of a patient as regards Sattwa or mind. The different kinds of mind and there charac? teristics. (App. 136-38).

Then comes examination as regards capacity for food. Stren¬ gth and period of life depend upon capacity for food. (App. 139.)

Then comes examination as regards capacity for exertion, und r this are set forth the characteristics of the different periods of life, viz , boyhood, manhood, and decrepitude. (App. 140-42).

Then comes an explanation of the Seasons and their distinc¬ tive features as also their effects on the human constitution. Ths Tim-liness and Untimeliness of Medicines are al.-o explained (App. 144-51).

Explanation of the terms Pravritti, upâya, and Pratipatti.

(App. 152-53)-

The drugs, which are used as emeties, &c., are here laid down under several heads. (App. 156).

A list here occurs of Purgatives. (App. 157).

Last come six groups of Enemata (App. 159- to end of the fasciculus).

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A. C. K AVI BATH A.

p. 605

Tiie head is six fingers in height and two and thirty fingers ir. circumference.*

Thus has been explained the measurements of the different .< ^ limbs one after another. /Jk ,

The entire height of the body (from the soles of the feet to tha top of the head) is four and eighty fingers (that is, three and 3 half cubits). Its breadth, and circumference also, are each of thev same measurement. +m

In this connection, (it should be said) longevity of life, strength, the element called of as, happiness, power, and wealth and many other agreeable incidents, are in the command of one possessing a body endued with limbs of the aforesaid proportions.

The reverse (of these) is seen in one whose body falls short of, or exceeds, the standard measurements. ISS

Next, as to examination (of the patient) as regards power of assimilation. That is called assimilable (*. e., suitable to the con¬ stitution) which, indulged habitually, agrees with the constitution.

In this connection, (it should be said that) those persons with whom ghee, milk, oil, juice of flesh, and all the five tastes, agree in consequence of habitual use, are endued with strength, capable of bearing hardship, and long-lived.

Those persons (on the other hand) who habitually live on dry articles of food and with whom only one taste agrees, are generally seen to be endued with little strength, incapable of bearing hard-

* The height of the head, as explained by Chakrapani, is measured from the top of the neck upwards. — T.

f The height of the foot is 4 fingers ; that of the leg, 18 ; that of the knee, 4 ; that of the thigh, 18 ; that of the lower part of the spinal column, 12 ; that of the back, 18 ; that of the neck, 4 ; and that of the head, 6. Thus, in all, the total height is 84 fingers, or 3 cubits and a half, a cubit being of the breadth of 24 fingers. The total of the several breadths given, as also that of the several circumferences, would similarly come up to 34 fingers.

p. 77

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CHA RAKA -SA MHITA.

ship, not blessed with length of days, and not capable of accom¬ plishing much.*134

Those persons with whom some of the tastes (but not all) agree, are seen, in consequence of such a characteristic, to be of middling strength.135

Next, as to examination (of the patient) in respect of sattwa or mind (or mental energy) : the mind is known by the name of sattwa.

It is the ruler of the body, owing to its connection with the soul (or self).

It is of three kinds, according to difference of strength, viz., superior, middling, and inferior. Hence, persons may be classed under three heads, viz., as possessed of superior mind, of middling mind, and of inferior mind.