Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

The two varieties, called ‘Agni’ and Karddama’, if treated accord¬ ing to the general methods (laid down), admit of alleviation, provided no supervening ailments appear, provided the vital region is un¬ affected, and provided also the arteries, tendons, and the flesh do not putrefy and fall off.* 6°

If not carefully treated, either of these varieties consumes the body quickly like the poison of a snake of violent venom. 61

[Gangadhara has ‘dahet,’ other editions have ‘hanyat.’ The sense is the same of course, what is implied is dissolution.]

As regards that variety of Erysipelas which is called ‘Grantin’, if it has no supervening ailments, its treatment may be taken up.

If, however, supervening ailments manifest themselves, the physi¬ cian should then avoid it. 62 becoming putrefied and without falling off in sloughs. — T.

* ‘Sira . kude’ implies that the ‘sira and the rest only become affected without

CHIKITSASTHANA.

[VISARPA,

p. 1596

As regards that variety of Erysipelas which is born of all the faults excited together, it should be known to be incurable, in con¬ sequence of its affecting all the ‘dhatus’ (or ingredients of the body), of its quick progress, and of incompatability of treatment.*

We shall now lay down the method of treatment of those varieties of the disease which are curable (or admit of treatment). 63

In Erysipelas which has its seat in that of the phlegm, {viz., the ‘amSgaya’) and which is accompanied by mucus (in the stomach) the observance of fasts and the administration of emetics are beneficial as also the use of bitters as diet.

Plasters of drugs that are dry and cold are also prescribable. 64 [Drugs that are dry and cold are such as the bark of the banian, &c.]

If the disease affects the seat of the bile and is accompanied by mucus (in the stomach), the same treatment (as that laid down for the variety noticed above) should be adopted.

The letting out of blood, and the administration of purgatives are especial methods that are prescribable. 65

[The general method of treatment is like that laid down in verse 64. Blood-letting and purgatives are especial methods that should be adopted in particular cases.]

If the disease is' engendered in the seat of the wind {viz., the ‘pakkacaya’, i. e., that part of the stomach where the food taken is digested), and if it is accompanied by mucus; as also by (vitiated) blood and (vitiated) bile, the administration of both drugs and diet that are dry is prescribable ; since in the presence of ‘Sma’ (mucus) in the stomach, the administration of drugs and diet that are oily cannot be regarded as beneficial. 66

In that variety of the disease in which the wind is predominant and the bile is slightly excited, the bitter ghee (laid down in the Lesson on Leucoderma, ante), is regarded as beneficial. .

• ‘Incompatability of treatment’ implies that if one of the faults be sought to he checked, another becomes aggravated. No remedy exists which can alleviate one of the faults or some of the symptoms without aggravating the others.— T.

LESSON XXI.]

CHARA KA - SA M HIT A

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In that variety in which the bile is excited predominantly, the administration of purgatives is prescribable. 67

Unto one in whom the excited faults has become exceedingly aggravated, ghee should not be administered. Such a person should be treated with purgatives.

Ghee, administered to such a person, stupefies (obstructs) the accumulated fault, which (in its turn) consumes the skin, the flesh, and the blood.* 68

Hence, the administration of purgatives at the outset (to one so circumstanced) is beneficial.

Purgatives, therefore, should be administered (in such a case). Blood-letting also is prescribable, since the disease is based upon the vitiation of blood. 69

Thus has been explained, in brief, the treatment of some of the varieties of Erysipelas.

We shall now expound all these methods of treatment in detail (or, at full length). 7°

Madana (the fruits of Randia dumetoruni), Madhuka (liquorice), Nimba {Melia Azadirachtd), and the fruits of Vatsaka {Holarrhena antidysen te rica ) .

These constitute an emetic which should be administered in Erysipelas born of phlegm and bile. 7*

The decoction of Patola (the leaves of Ttichosanthes dioica), and Pichumarda (otherwise called Nimba, i. e., Melia Azadirachtd), with the pulv of Madana (the fruits of Randia dumetoruni), the decoction of Pippali (fruits Piper longum), with the pulv of Madana (fruits of Randia dumetorum), and the decoction of Indrayava (the seeds of Holarrhena antidysen~ tericci), with the pulv of Madana (the fruits of Randia dumetoruni), form excellent emetics for administration in this disease.f 72

* ‘Vahudoshaya’ does not mean ‘unto one in whom many faults have accumulated,’ but ‘one in whom a particular fault has grearly accumulated.’ — T.

•f The interpretation of Gangadhara is reproduced. He understands that ‘Madana’ inters into the composition of each of the purgatives. None of the decoctions mentioned has any emetic virtue. Hence, ‘Madana,’ which is an excellent emetic, must be mixed with every one of the decoctions. — T.

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CHI KITS A S THAN A.

[VISARPA.