Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

Lesson VII, on Insanity, begins at page 988.

The five varieties of this disease are set forth, viz., those born of each of the three faults and of all the three faults, and that which is Accidental.

The characteristics are given of those persons who are liable ,to this disease.

Definition of Insanity, its incubatory indications, the distinctive symptoms of the four fault-born varieties, ' the incubatory indications of the Accidental variety, its distinctive symptoms, the occasions on which persons are liable to the assaults of superhuman beings which bring about Insanity, what cases of Insanity are incurable, and what the remedies are of cure, have been laid down in this Lesson.

Distributed according to the considerations of Constitutional and Accidental, or of Curability and Incurability, there are only two varieties of this disease. These sometimes are blended together.

The four varieties of this disease, the persons that are liable to it, definition of the disease, its incubatory symptoms, the distinctive symptoms of each variety, and that variety which should not be taken up for treatment, are laid down.

Lesson VIII, on Epilepsy, begins in this Part!

Some general observations, particularly interesting, occur in pp. 1008 — 1013, on diseases and their symptoms. These are exceed¬ ingly important, and every' physician should understand them thoroughly if he seeks success in his profession. These observations show how thoroughly the Rishis understand not only the features of diseases but also the principles of treatment. They would do credit to any modern writer on Pathology and Therapeutics.

The Division called “Nidana” is concluded in this Part.

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CHARAKA-SAMHIT A.

9 87

Loss of the sense of abomination ;

The sight of hateful incidents in the body ;

The sight, in dreams, of rivers and lakes, and tanks, &c., that have become dry ; as also of villages, towns, cities, and provinces that have become depopulated 4

The sight, in dreams, of forests that have become dry, or burnt, or broken down ;

The touch, in dreams, of lizards, peacocks, apes, parrots, snakes, crows, owls, &c.

Riding, in dreams, on horses and camels and mules and boars, or in vehicles drawn by them ;

Ascent, in dreams, on heaps of hair, bones, or ashes, or chaff, or charcoals.

These are the premonitory symptoms of phthisis. 26

After this, the disease itself appears, manifesting the following symptoms, eleven in number.

They are, —

A sensation of the head being full (?'. e., heavy) ;

Cough or bronchites, and asthma or shortness of breath ;

Hoarseness of voice ;

The emission of phlegmbnous matter (from the mouth and the nose) ;

The spitting of blood ;

Pains in the sides ;

Grinding pains in the shoulders ;

Fever, diarrhoea, and disgust for food. 27

In this connection it should be said that if the patient does not lose his flesh and blood, if he retains his strength, if ‘arishtas’ or indi¬ cations of the near approach of death do not appear, then he should be regarded as capable of cure even if he be afflicted by all the (eleven) symptoms of phthisis. 28

Since, if endued with strength and complexion and growth, the patient, in consequence of his capacity to bear the strength of both the disease and the medicaments, should be regarded as presenting only a few symptoms even when many of the symptoms are present. 29

If, however, the patient be weak, if he has lost flesh and blood, then, in consequence of his inability to bear the strength of both the disease and the medicaments, he should be regarded as presenting

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p. 988

CHAR AKA - SAM HIT A.

many of the symptoms even if ‘arishtas’ or indications of the near approach of death have not manifested themselves and even if the number of symptoms be small.* 3°

The physician should avoid such patients, since ‘arishtas’ present themselves in such persons quickly Their manifestation, as regards such patients, arises from no cause that is noticeable, 31

( Here occurs a verse ).

That physician who truly knows the causes, symptoms, and incu¬ batory indications of phthisis deserves to treat the diseases of the king himself, j- 32

Thus ends the Lesson VI, called ‘Nidana’ of Phthisis, in that Division, called ‘Nidana’, of the treatise of Agnivega as revised by Charaka.

LESSON VII.

We shall now expound the ‘Nidana’ of Insanity.

Thus said the illustrious son of Atri. 1 Verily, there are five varieties of Insanity.

They are 1. wind-born, 2. bile-born, 3. phlegm-born, 4. that bom of all the three faults, and 5. that which is accidental. 2