Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

That leprosy is known by the name of ‘Vishphotaka’ (malignant boils) in which the eruptions have a white or dark-red colour, and a coating that is thin. 23

That leprosy is known by the name of ‘£ataru’ (Furuncle) in which a large number of inflammatory pimples appear that are either red or dark in colour, and that are accompanied by burning and pain.

That variety of leprosy is called ‘Vicharchika’ (Psoriasis) in which pimples appear that are dark in colour and that are accompanied by itching. Discharges also take place from them of foetid matter in copious measure. 24

When the wind is exceedingly excited, the leprosy called ‘Kapala’’ appears. When the phlegm is similarly excited, the variety called ‘Mandala’ appears. The variety called ‘Audumvara,’ it should be known, arises from excitement of the bile. The variety called ‘Kakana’ results from the excitement of all the three faults. 25

When the wind and the bile are excited together, the result is that variety of leprosy which is called ‘Rishyajihva’ ; when the phlegm and the bile are excited, the variety called ‘Pundarika’ is the result ; and when the wind and the phlegm are excited together, the variety called ‘Sidhma’ appears. 26

The varieties known as ‘Charma’ (Hypertrophy of the skin), ‘Ekakushtha (Ichthyosis), ‘Kitima’ (Keloid), ‘Vidarika’ (Psoriasis Of hands and feet), and ‘Masaka’ (Lichen), should be known as arising very often from excitement of wind and phlegm. 27

The varieties known as ‘Dadru’ (Ringworm\ ‘Charmadala’ (Impetigo), ‘Pama’ (Eczema), ‘Vishphota’ (malignant boil), ‘£ataru’ (Furuncle), are very generally the result of excited bile and phlegm. ‘Vicharchika’ (Psoriasis) is generally the result of excited phlegm. 28 All varieties of leprosy arise from excitement of the three faults. Ascertaining, however, the predominance or otherwise of the faults by their respective indications, the course of treatment is determined of leprosy. 29

CHARAKA-SAMHITA.

I2II

In (the treatment of) all varieties of leprosy, the physician should first alleviate that particular symptom which arises prominently. He should next take up the other symptoms which accompany the predominant one. 3°

The faults excited should be known by the varieties (of leprosy), and the varieties, again, should be known by the faults excited. The varieties indicate the causes {viz., the faults excited), and the causes, viz., the faults excited) indicate the varieties.* 3*

Dryness, emaciation, piercing pain, violent and deep-seated jpain, shrinking of the skin, sense of fatigue without having undergone toil, hardness, roughness, horripilation over the whole body, darkness and redness of hue (as regards the eruptions or patches that appear on the body), — these are the indications of (excited) wind in all varieties of leprosy. 3 2

Burning sensation, redness of complexion, discharges of foetid matter, suppuration, smell like that of raw meat, filthy secretions, falling off of the limbs, — these are the indications of (excited) bile (in all varieties of leprosy). 33

Whiteness, coldness, itching, immobility (of the eruptions)1, eleva¬ tion (of the patches), heaviness of the limbs, unctuousness of the body, worms that eat away the flesh of the afflicted parts, appearance of filthy secretions, — these are the indications of (excited) phlegm (in all varieties of leprosy). 34

One who is afflicted with leprosy presenting all these symptoms, and who is divested of strength, should be avoided by a physician possessed of intelligence.

He should also avoid one afflicted with leprosy accompanied by thirst and a burning sensation, or by loss of digestive fire, or by eruptions and patches in which the flesh is being eaten away by worms. 35

That leprosy which is characterised by excitement of wind and phlegm, or that in which only one fault has been greatly excited, is not difficult of cure. ~

* This is a very important aphorism. In the previous aphorisms, the particular faults that cause particular varieties have been laid down. Here, the direction is given that the varieties help in ascertaining the faults excited, and the faults excited help in the diagnosis of the varieties. — T.

p. 1212

CHARAKA-SAMHJTA.

Those varieties of leprosy in which phlegm and bile are predomi¬ nant, are difficult of cure. 36

In those varieties of leprosy in which the wind predominates, the drinking of ghee is beneficial.

In those varieties of leprosy in which the phlegm predominates,, emetics are beneficial.

In those varieties of leprosy in which the bile predominates,, purgatives first, and blood-letting next, are beneficial. 37

Those combinations of drugs, possessed of emetic and purgative virtues, which have been spoken of in that Division of this treatise which is called ‘Kalpa’, deserve to be administered to persons afflicted with leprosy.