March, 1919.] THE AYURVEDIC PRACTICE OF TO-DAY. 8\

II. Although the siesta is to be permitted Onirics. to children and sick persons, it is a dangerous CBijtjinal practice for those that are well, because: One should never sleep during day-time after eating. Such sleep excites phlegm and bile and brings on such AYURVEDA OF TO-DAY. diseases as jaundice, painful headaches, languor and unsteadiness, as also heaviness of the limbs, loss of By YV. D. SUTHERLAND, M.D.. lightness of the body, loss of appetite, dropsical swell- ings, hiccough, inflammation of the Schneiderian LIEUT.-COL., I.M.S., membrane, loss of memory and intelligence, hemicrania, urticaria itches, Imperial Serologist. evanida, eruptions, procrastination, consumption, sore throat, nervous debility, fever and weakness of all the senses. 7.) For the study of the Ayurvedic System of (I., Medicine as taught and practised in this III. Many treatises on the Hindu science of twentieth century we have ample material at the pulse have been written, so it is with much our disposal in the following work :? sympathy that we give the author's teaching : " The of or an Ayurvedic System Medicine In the case of male patients, it is to be felt at the Exposition in English of Hindu Medicine as wrist of the right hand, and in that of female patients Occurring in Charaka, Susruta, Bhagbata and at that of the left hand the of a adult is not uniform all other Authoritative Sanskrit Works, Ancient and Again, pulse healthy day long. In the morning it appears to be cool; at Modern. Nath Sen By Kaviraj Nagendra Grupta. mid-day, it seems to be hot; while in the evening it 3 vols. Calcutta: Revised Edition, 1909." becomes quicker. (I., 20-) Generally it is said that in any disease due to excite- In his the learned writes : preface Kaviraj ment of the wind, the pulse is said to assume a I have in tlie following pages endeavoured to achieve curvilinear motion. In any disease due to excitement a desideratum that has been long felt. The present- of the bile the pulse becomes quick. In any disease work is the first of its kind. For the first time a com- due to the excitement of the phlegm, the pulse-beats plete exposition is offered of what is contained in become slow, regular, and heavy. The curvilinear Hindu Medical Treatises about disease and its cure. motion, under excitement of the wind may, it is said-, There is nothing in the publications of Dr. Wise and be like the course of a serpent, a leech, etc. The quick- Dr. Dutt that the reader will not find in the following ness of the pulse due to the excitement of the bile may pages. At the same time, there is much in this book be, it is said, like the motion of the crow, or of the which is not included in those works .... My francoline partridge, or of the frog. The slow, regular, endeavour has been to reproduce in each Chapter and heavy pulse, which is due to excitement of the the contents, in a condensed form, of larger works on phlegm, it is similarly said, resembles the motion of Hindu Medicine. 1 have, in a few places, inserted the swan, the peacock, the pigeon, the dove, the the results of my own experience. The descriptions of cock, etc. When fever has set in, the pulse becomes the diseases have generally been taken from Charaka hot and quick. After sexual congress the pulse becomes is and many later works. In publishing the present work, hot but not quick. Indeed, this the difference which is in English, my object is to place before between the pulse in fever and the pulse after sexual the English-speaking world, and particularly before congress. (I., 20, 21.) physicians and surgeons practising the Western method In intermittent fevers, appearing on alternate days, of medicine, the knowledge which the Rishis had of the pulse is sometimes felt at the root of the thumb disease and its cure. and sometimes by its side. (I., 24.) exact We shall now see how well the task which the How very the Ayurvedic practitioner is author set himself to do has been done. taught to be in 'prognosis is shown by the I. The virtues of daily inunction of the body following remarks: are thus described : If the pulse of a patient, having coursed quickly for some time, becomes slow or very slow at and if The use of oil makes the body firm, enhances its once, the patient is not suffering under any growth, imparts to it the capacity to endure fatigue dropsical swelling, death comes on the seventh or If the and pain, renders the skin agreeable to the touch, and eighth day. pulse sometimes becomes weak and smooth and curvi- the complexion ; further it keeps off decrepi- improves linear in its course, and sometimes and full tude, dispels checks all disorders brought about strong fatigue, and curvilinear, and sometimes weak and by vitiated wind, and promotes longevity. Oil, rubbed again, very even imperceptible, or if the becomes weak or on the head, prevents baldness or alopecia, canities, or pulse full, to the leanness of the or its due premature whiteness of the hair, as also its decay or agreeably body obesity to dropsical swellings, death comes about a month after. falling away. It strengthens the head and forehead If the pulse falls off by the breadth of half a and the roots of the hair, promotes the growth of hair barley- seed from the root of the thumb, death comes within and gives it a fine dark colour. All the organs of the three days, without doubt. If the pulse be perceptible person who rubs oil on the head become cheerful, below the second without at . . . . only finger being perceptible and sound sleep visits him night , below the third and the fourth, death comes on the effects of this are freedom The other salutary practice fourth day. If in fevers due to excitement of all the from increase of of all restlessness, strength, delicacy faults, the heat of the body be excessive but the pulse the and vision limbs, vigorous very cool, death takes place at the end of third day. By rubbing oil in the orifices of the ears, deafness is If the pulse for a few seconds becomes very quick, and prevented, as also wry neck and dislocation of the then becomes imperceptible, and again becomes quick cheek-bone, and other disorders of the face and head and then imperceptible, death takes place within one which are due to excitement of the wind. (I., 3, 4.) day. If the pulse becomes sometimes perceptible at 82 THE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE. [March, 1919. the end of the second finger and sometimes impercep- Sannipata fever is never easy of cure. If the stools tible, death takes place within a day and a half. The and the wind and other faults are tied up, all the symp- person, whose pulse beats once or twice as quickly as a toms are strongly manifested and disease becomes in- flash of lightning at the end of the second finger and curable. If the reverse of this occurs, the disease then disappears, dies within four and twenty hours becomes curable, but great care is necessary. (I., 45.) from the commencement of such a phenomenon. One A severe form of this fever is called Abhinyasa. whoso pulse falls off from the root of the thumb and When the wind and the other faults, exceedingly excited, becomes perceptible for only a few seconds, and who enter the ducts of the chest and become mingled with experiences a burning sensation in the heart, meets the Sma-rasa (the juice into which food is converted in with death as soon as the burning sensation ceases. the first stage of digestion) and affect the organs of In other words, his life continues as long as the burning knowledge and the mind, the result becomes terrible. sensation lasts. (I., 27, 28.) (I., 46.) IV. The examination of the urine by means VII. The important subject of the treatment of oil is detailed. The passage runs: of fever is discussed at length. We quote the The urine that is vitiated by the wind becomes oily following (the italics are ours): and or of that darkish lme which is the result cf pale, In acute fever, langhana, or fast, should be observed a of black and or even of a reddish mixture yellow, at the outset- By this, the excited wind or bile or If a of oil be such it hue. drop poured upon urine, phlegm arrives at a state of maturity; the digestive all over the surface and small bubbles forthwith spreads fire begins to blaze up; the body becomes light, the minute of oil. The begiii to rise, topped by particles fever abates in force, and the appetite returns. I., 55.) urine that is vitiated bile assumes a red colour. If by If the patient becomes unconscious, the following may of oil be bubbles to rise. a drop poured upon it, begin be administered, as a cerebral purgative ; take in equal is raw The urine that vitiated by bile looks like the oil quantities some roots of Piper longum, rock-salt, and of white mustard seeds. The urine that is vitiated by flowers of Piper longum and of Dioscorea aculeata. phlegm is frothy. It looks very much like the muddy These should be reduced to powder. With a measure water of a small pond. If a drop of oil be poured of this powder should be mixed an equal quantity of urine vitiated wind and bubbles will upon by bile, begin black pepper reduced to powder. It should then be to rise of a darkish colour. By pouring oil upon urine dissolved in a quantity of hot water. It is this hot vitiated by wind and phlegm, the urine becomes water that should be frequently administered as a immediately mixed with the oil and looks like fermented cerebral purgative. The patient will then recover gruel of rice. The urine that is vitiated by both bile consciousness, and such symptoms as sleepiness, deli- and phlegm becomes of a pale colour. If all the faults rium, aud heaviness of head, will disappear or be consi- are excited, the colour of the urine becomes either red derably alleviated. For curing sleepiness, a cerebral or black. (I., 30, 31.) purgative may be used, consisting of the following articles taken in seeds V. Of the tongue in disease we read : equal quantities, viz., rock-salt, of Moringa pterygospermu, mustard seeds of the white If wind in the the predominates constitution, the variety, and Ap'otaxis auriculata. This should be re- colour of the tongue resembles that of the leaves of the duced to a paste with the urine of the goat. A colly- teak i . rium, applied to the eyes of the patient, made of the If the bile predominates, the tongue presents a red or following substances, will bring back consciousness: darkish while if the it Mimosa hue; phlegm predominates, seeds of simsa, Piper longum, black pepper, becomes white and thick. The prickles over it become rock-salt, garlic, realger, and Acorus calamus. These confluent, and it constantly secretes saliva. (I., 33.) should be taken in equal quantities, and a paste should be made of them with cow's urine. It is clear that here observation is over-shadowed (I., 60, 61.) disease which in is " The European medicine called by authority." Pneumonia is not, according to Hindu physicians, a VI. Most of our readers have heard of separate disease. It is a stage of fever due to the excite- ment all the three which is caused of faults In that stage the remedies Sannipata fever, by derangement to administer are several Pachanas of wind, bile and From the already mentioned, phlegm. descrip- as also Lakshmi-vilasa, Kasturi-bhairava, Kapha-ketu, tion we cull these given flowers (the italics being and those varieties of medicines which are prescribable ours) : in phthisis. These remedies require great discrimina- tion in their for their is Fevers born of the three faults (excited simultane- application, potency very great. (I., 62.) are called Sannipatika." In common ously) " parlance are known the name these by of Jwaravikara (or Where hiccup, nausea and vomiting are dis- perverted fevers). In this fever, alternate sensations of tressing the patient, the following preparations are burning and cold are repeatedly experienced. Pain in recommended to be used : all the bones, joints and head, is another marked other of symptom. The symptoms are tearful eyes, or The dung the honey-bee, mixed with honey and eyes of a muddy hue, or deep red. They also become sandal-paste, or with sugar, if licked, may alleviate corners ? or or four The sometimes fall down . . nausea Three of the expanded. " " vomiting. grains dung a certain stage of this Sannipata fever is called by of the cockroach should be dissolved in a quantity of European physicians by the name of Pneumonia,. cold water. A spoonful or two of this water, repeated (I., 43, 44.) twice or thrice, will alleviate vomiting. (I., 65.) The intestines of cockroach with black of Here follows a good account of the pepper general about half the measure should be reduced into a paste. of with a of the symptoms 'pneumonia description About a rattx of this should be dissolved in a quantity of sputum, but, though professing to give modern cold water. This water taken twice or thrice is sure to practice, the author omits all mention of the alleviate the most violent hiccup in no time. (I., 67.) For intermittent fevers that at physical signs to be observed. The reason is that allaying appear some recommend the tying up of a piece of the did not mention so should night-time, Sages these, they the root of Solanum nigrum to one of the ears of the be we not noted. Of the prognosis, learn that: patient. (I., VI.) March, 1919.J "OUR WELL-KNOWN PILLS." 83

the or both The well-known pills made by us, viz, Panchatikta- If either of parents have piles, or if at the vatika, are a remedy of very great efficacy in almost all time of begetting the child either or both of them kinds of fever, acute or chronic (Ibid.) indulge in those practices which generate piles, the child Under injudicious treatment, according to the Western then gets piles constitutionally. This variety of the method, quinine is frequently administered to patients in disease is called Constitutional piles. In this disease, evtn acute stage of fever. The result that happens it that the fleshy excrescences assume ugly forms. They become the fever, -instead of being cured, is only suppressed so as rough and hard, and either red or pale in colour. to re-appear if the patient ceases to adhere to the sick-regi- Their ends are directed inwards. The patient becomes men. (I., 73.) lean or emaciated. He eats very little. His digestive fire is weak. His voice becomes weak. His YIII. the so common disposition Enlargement of spleen, becomes wrathful. His body becomes covered with in is described at some Its India, length. swollen veins. His virile power becomes weakened, and etiology is thus set forth : he becomes afflicted with diseases of the eye, the ears, the or the head. A noise is heard The spleen becomes enlarged if fever is allowed to nose, rumbling generally in his stomach and intestines. The chest becomes remain nncured for any length of time. Malarial fever, a for as as if covered with wet cloth. Disgust food also residence in any place where malarial fever is heavy, is another 108.) raging, leads to enlargement of the spleen. If the blood supervening symptom. (I., increases in quantity owing to indulgence in sweet and XII. Of cholera we read italics are oily food, the spleen becomes enlarged. If, again, one (the ours) " not in travels in a fast vehicle immediately after heavy meals, that it is a disease which did exist or indulges in excessive labour, the spleen falls off its ancient times." (II., 284.) Its etiology is thus and to place begins enlarge. (I., ^6.) described : " The treatment is the keeping bowels clean," Excessive rains, and still air, excessively hot air, to which end, amongst other means, the following impure water and air, excessive labour, irregularity of are recommended:? diet, mental torture in consequence of terror, sorrow and residence in a thickly populated quarter, debility The roots of Plumbago zeylanica should be reduced grief, of the body, night-keeping, are the causes of the disease. to a paste and divided into pills, each of the weight (I., 122.) of one ratti. Three pills should be given, each inserted within a ripe plantain (I., 77.) As to its well-known symptoms, we read : Our Panchatikta pills are very efficacious in fever with enlargement of spleen. (T., 79.) If the wind be more excited than the other two faults, then vomiting and purging do not become exces- IX. Derangements of the liver are dismissed sive in a of pages, and their treatment If the bile be excited, then couple " excessively purging succinctly described as being the same as in becomes copious If the be excited more than the bile and disorders of the spleen." After all, the liver as phlegm wind, vomiting becomes copious .... (I., 123.) a viscus is of only slight importance in a system of which one of the three vital is principles XIII. The description of worms, to which bile. we would refer the reader, is in need of revision, X. From the description given, it would for it includes lice. It is noteworthy that the that it it an matter to differentiate appear easy cure is easy, for (the italics are ours) : immature from mature diarrhoea, and that the Our own known the name of Krirni- differentiation is of : preparation, by supreme importance ghnatini vatiha is an efficacious remedy in worm diseases. As long as the stools are greasy and of a very fetid (I., 135.) scent and sink when thrown into water, the diarrhoea is called Amatisara, i e., immature, or that caused by XIV. Bronchitis. The varieties of this undigested juices. When the stools lose their foetid disease are not those usually described in text- scent, as also their slippery or lardaceous quality, and books of medicine. when they float on water instead of sinking down to the bottom, the diarrhoea is regarded as mature. (I., 87.) In the wind-born variety, piercing pains are felt in In no form of diarrhoea, during the immature state, the chest, forehead, sides, stomach, and head. The should astringent drugs of any kind be administered. mouth becomes dry; the strength becomes reduced ; If administered at such a stage, the medicines operate there is a constant urging to cough; hoarseness of the most injuriously. By stopping the escape of the vitiated voice and a dry cough not followed by expectorations faults, they induce dropsical swellings, antemia and of phlegm. In the bile-born variety, there is a burning jaundice, enlargement of the spleen, leprosy, abdominal sensation in the chest. The other symptoms are fever, tumours, fever, rigid spasms, tympanites, flatulence, dryness of the mouth, a bitter taste in the mouth, thirst, inflammation and ulceration of Grahani, piles and vomiting, the matter thrown out being generally yellow various other diseases. (I., 88.) and of pungent taste. The complexion becomes pale, and there is in the throat while XI. That the word in par- burning pain coughing. piles Ayurvedic In the phlegm-born variety, the mouth of the patient is lance connotes more than it does in the West always filled with phlegm ..... is clear from the following : Eating such food as is detrimental, irregular meals, that one and Besides the rectum, piles or haemorrhoids manifest is, eating excessively day sparingly another or at times, excessive themselves in the penis, the nose, the ears, and certain day irregular indulgence in sexual the of stool and other parts of the body (I., 104.) pleasure, suppressing urgings self-condemnation for want of food, or for . . . are of six kinds, viz., urine, grief Generally speaking, piles such the fire and excite the wind-born, bile-born, that born of all want, vitiate digestive three phlegm-born, faults. This leads to bom of the three faults, blood-born and constitutional. cough consumption. I., 105 (I., 155, 156.) 84 THE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE. [March, 1919.

XV. For the treatment of asthma, we find XVIII. The treatment of epilepsy and hysteria datura and nitre-paper recommended to be is described thus (the italics are ours) : smoked ; also (the italics are ours) : As soon as the disease manifests itself, treatment should ; if allowed to remain for some time a number of in a covered begin for, Keeping peacock-plumes without it incurable. In ? treatment, becomes vessel and reducing them to ashes on a slow fire, and epilepsy, as in swoons, for the patient to mixing therewith a quantity of the fruit of P'per longum restoring consciousness, water should be sprinkled upon the face and the eyes. reduced to powder, make a linctus with the aid of If this does not a be If licked now and then, it alleviates the succeed, collyrinm may supplied, honey. made of and of asthmatic and violent hiccup. realgar, galena, pigeon's dung, pounded intensity breathing with (I., 165.) together honey. Liquorice asafoetida, the fruit of A corns calamus, the bark of Tabemamontana coronaria, Our own Swasarishta is un excellent in asthma,. remedy the seeds of Mimosa si'risa, garlics, and Aplotaxi It alleviates difficulty of breathing and gradually promptly avr'culot'i, pounded together with cow's urine, form a cur? s the disease completely (I., 166.) good errliine, as also collyrinm. These two varieties of and this errhine beneficial in XVI. Of thirst, which, by the way, is regarded collyrinm prove insanity also. Even old cases of are as a disease and not a epilepsy considerably being merely symptom, alleviated by an errhine made of Nardostnchys jata- writes italics are : the author (the ours) mansi, as also by inhaling its smoke. .By drinking the c- l i icater into which has been thrown the ashes a In wound-born thirst, the juice of meat and blood do of or with which one has much good. In waste-born thirst, milk, water with string rope strangled oneself, relief may be obtained in 19JM honey, and the juice of meat are beneficial. In food- epilepsy (I., In hi/steria our own Murchcchantak Ttnla born thirst, the administration of emetics is the best of females, and Kumudasava are very 200.) treatment. efficacious, (I,, The juice of grapes or that of the sugarcane, or milk, XIX. That nervous diseases are many and or the decoction of liquorice, or honey, or the juice of their treatment difficult is clear from the follow- Sundi fruit, if drunk through the nose) checks the most severe and obstinate cases of thirst. (I., 178.) ing passages : The use of food that is dry, cold or light or scanty, XVII. Our author's treatment alcoholism of excessive indulgence in sexual congress, night-keeping, is not likely to please the total abstinence excessive vomiting, and purging; excessive loss of blood, fanatics: taking long leaps, excessive swimming in water, fatiguing walks, grief, anxiety, waste of the ingredients of the alcoholic wines constitutes the best treat- Drinking body through disease, suppression of the urgings of stools ment of all diseases due to intoxication. When the and urine, wounds, fasts, falling down from running diseases have been wines in generated by drinking vehicles and other causes of a similar kind provoke the excessive the derives benefit measure, patient by wind and produce diverse varieties of nervous disease. in measure. In delirium after drinking proper tremens, The wind may be vitiated in numberless ways. In the wine taken has been the should digested, patient medical treatises eighty forms are referred to, but names take a little more wine diluted in water and mixed with have not been applied to all the forms .... Sanchal and each salt, dry ginger, Piper longum, pepper, When the excited wind tills up the nerves, it convulses reduced to In that of the disease which pulv. variety the body, in all manner of attitudes (I., 200, 201) . . . is characterised excitement of the old and by bile, In consequence of always speaking aloud or chewing wines mixed with and the of cooling sugar juice grapes, hard substances or loud laughter, or yawning, or carry- and the fruit of emblict. Phyllanthus ing heavy loads or lying in uneven attitudes or on In that which is variety characterised by excitement uneven places, the wind becomes excited and turns of the the should be made to vomit phlegm, patient by half the face with the neck towards either the right or him wines mixed with this he giving emetics. After left side. The other symptoms that manifest them- should be made to fast to his according strength, selves are shivering of the head, suspension of speech, ft., 186.) and diversion and displacement of the eyes. (I., 202.) If the feet lose the sensation of touch and become The as following careful directions to how to subject to constant horripilation and the sensation avoid the effects of indulgence in the cup are known as pins-and-needles, the disease is called Pada- interesting : harsa. It is first stage of leprosy. This disease is produced by both the wind and phlegm being excited If after . . immediately drinking wine one licks sugar together (I., 204.) mixed with ghee, no intoxication is produced. The AYhen the wind becomes confined in that part of the intoxication generated by eating rice obtained from the stomach where digestion takes place, causes it to swell paddy called Kodo, may be prevented by water in which and make a rumbling noise accompanied by pain, the has been dissolved the pulp of Cucurbita. pepo and disease is called flatulence (I., 205) treacle. The intoxication produced by chewing betel- The common treatment of all forms of nervous cold nuts is allayed by drinking water to one's fill. The disease is the use or application of medicated ghees smell of dry cow-dung, as also eating a little salt, and oils. (Ibid., allays this kind of intoxication. The intoxication produced by eating the fruit of Datura fastuosa is allayed XX. An interesting disorder is that described milk with For the intoxica- by taking sugar. allaying thus : tion produced by bhang (leaves of Cannabis sativa), warm ghee, the expressed juice of the leaves of jack, By eating in large measures food that is cold, hot or the infusion of tamarind pulp and the water of unripe liquid or hard, or heavy or light or oily or dry, by coconuts are efficacious. Another effective remedy is filling the stomach with food before the food last taken hot water. The doses have, however, to be repeated. has been digested, toil, exercising the body too much, The action is instantaneous. A glass or two of brandy sleep at day time, night-keeping, and similar causes also checks the action of bhang, without producing the excite the wind, which, in its turn, vitiates the blood intoxication of brandy. (I., 187.) and the bile. When the vitiated blood and bile find March, 1919.J AYURVEDIC VIEWS ON SYPHILIS AND SMALL-POX. 85

the is their way into the thigh, they produce the disease necessary precautions, consequence that entering called Paralipsia. The thigh becomes stupefied, cold, the system it produces diverse diseases of severe types. in the without sensation, heavy and painful ; the patient Burning sensation bones, pains in the joints or or all over ulcerations or the of loses the power of moving raising it. The mind the body, appearance becomes full of anxiety. Pains are felt in other parts pimples in various parts of the body, black or dark spots of the body. The patient experiences a sensation of on the body, peeling oft* the skin from the palms and his body being wrapped round with a wet cloth or the soles, sores in the mouth and nose, inflammation of blanket. The other symptoms are drowsiness, vomit- the schneiderian membrane, diseases of the mouth, loss of the ing, nausea, fever, stupefaction of the particular leg falling off of the teeth, nose, headaches, affected, loss of the sense of touch, and great difficulty paralysis, inflammation of the scrotum, enlargement and and pain in moving the limb. Paralipsia (Urustambha) inflammation of the glands producing swellings that is otherwise called Adhya-vata (probably, Rheumatism resemble cystic tumours, diseases of the eye, fistula-in- of the Rich). The symptoms that precede this disease ano, various kinds of skin-diseases, and even tubercular, are excessive sleep, great mental distress, stupefaction spring from the improper administration of mercury. of the body, fever, horripilation, disgust for food, In these ailments the use of our Amritavcdli-kashaya is best medicine that can be vomiting and weakness of both the calves and the thighs. advisable; it is, indeed, the (I., 213, 214.) prescribed for these diseases. (I., 296, 297.) Such measures as alleviate the phlegm without ex- citing the wind constitute the best treatment of XXV. Small-pox is a common enough disease, " " Paralipsia. (L, 214.) but the influence of authority is too great for XXI. Of calculus we read : the author to describe it otherwise than as follows, italics are : The excited wind dries up the urine and the semen, or (the ours) both the bile and the The result is the formation phlegm. Food consisting of such inharmonious ingredients as of hard called in the . . . substances, calculi, kidneys milk and fish, food that is vitiated, the variety of dob- Calculi are to be the supposed generated by wind, c/jo? called Simbi, potherbs, such articles' of'ditet as are the the and the semen, each rendered bile, phlegm, pungent, sour, or saline, or as consist of alkaline ashes, causes that are known to morbid by distinctive excite the stomach with food before the food last it. loading (I., 248.) taken has been digested, and other causes of similar nature lead to the of The disease XXII. The symptoms of gonorrhoea are well appearance small-pox. is called Masurika, because the shape and size of the but for its cure the author vaunts his described, eruptions resemble those of Masura, or the seeds of : own specific (the italics are ours) Cicer lens. The premonitory symptoms are fever, itching Our Pramehabindu is a specific for this kiutl of Meha. pain in the body, restlessness of the mind, vertigo, It is sure to cure the disease quick/// If this disease is swelling of the skin, redness of the complexion, and not cured perfectly, it develops into Sukrameha (thin- redness of the eyes. The disease appears, afflicting ness of the semen), and gradually into impotency. particular dhatus of the body. Hence it has several varieties. When the disease affects the Bathing or any sort of cool operation is strictly forbid- ingredients den. Though cooling operations seem to alleviate the called Rasa, that is the juices into which the food taken disease at first, in the end they generate pain in the is first transmuted, the eruptions take the form of bubbles on the surface of water. Covered with a thin joints and may even make the patient incapable of moving his limbs. (I., 257.) coating, they are filled with water and their appearance is like that of swelling caused by scalds. When they XXIIT. He teaches regarding oedema that: bursts discharges take place from them of watery matter. This kind of is to cure. In common If one eats food which contains alkaline ashes, or pox easy parlance, it is called i e., When the which is sour or of keen virtues or hot, or heavy, when Pani-vasanta, water-pox. disease affects the the assume a red one has been emaciated and weakened by observance of blood, eruptions their are thin. soon fasts or the use of food of inharmonious ingredients, hue; coatings They suppurate; and when they burst, occur of or by such diseases as fever,- diarrhoea, jaun- discharges bloody grahani, matter. If the blood be not much this due to excitement of the bile, very vitiated, dice, piles, haemorrhage is curable. When or variety of pox the affects the and enlargement of the spleen of the liver, or by malady the are and covered with the administration of emetics and other correctives, one flesh, eruptions hard, oily, thick coatings. Severe pains, like to what is caused is attacked by the disease called oedema or inflamma- by Sula, occur. Thirst, and restlessness of tory swelling. Other causes, such as the taking of itching, fever, the mind appear. Pox that affects the assumes curds, or unripe articles, or earth, ox- potherbs, or food adeps, a circular shape. It is more elevated than consisting of such inharmonious ingredients as milk and soft, usual, thick, bright and The fish, lead to this disease. If again one does not take painful. supervening symptoms are violent fever, mental restlessness of the emetics or purgatives when one requires them, or if delusions, mind, and heat. In that affects the bones and the emetics or purgatives be not administered in sufficient pox marrow, the eruptions are flat, and and proper measure, this disease manifests itself. small, dry, slightly elevated- Their colour is like that of the The "Women, after abortion or premature delivery, are gener- body. are coma and violent attacked by it- Wounds also, inflicted on vital supervening symptoms delusions, ally restlessness of the and in of parts, produce this ailment. The excited wind, forcing pain, mind, pain every part the like to what is the bite of the the vitiated blood, the bile, and the phlegm into the body caused by (sic) hornet. The feels as if his vital are outer ducts of the body, and itself becoming obstructed patient parts being torn out. Pox that affects the semen is by them, causes the skin and the flesh to swell up. This bright, minute, and are in disease is called oedema. (I., 272, 273.) very painful. Seemingly ripe, they reality not so. The patient feels as if his body is wrapped XXIV. That mercury should be given with round with a wet cloth or blanket. The mind becomes restless. a sense great care in syphilis is clear from this passage Swoons, heat and of inebriation also appear . (I., 319). the italics are ours) : 318, (again Vaccination is regarded as a good preventive. be not of that If the mercury taken the kind has been Formerly inoculation was resorted to in this country or if it is administered without the properly corrected, very extensively. Inoculation, however, has been S6 THE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE* "[March, 1919. declared illegal, and vaccination has latterly come to be when wounds are inflicted with a knife, issues from the doubted by many eminent physicians of Europe, yet till body of a person that is bit, he meets with death. If no a better substitute is found it should not be abandoned. marks appear on the body of a bitten person who is Another preventive is the seed of the Chebalic myrobalans. scourged with whips, the result proves disastrous. If Women should wear it on the left arm and men on the cold water repeatedly sprinkled on the body of a bitten arm. seeds thus worn has been right The efficacy of these person does not produce horripilation, the bite ends in tested during many epidemics. (I., 324, 325.) death. If the face of a bitten person becomes curved, if his hair comes off when if he cannot his we pulled, keep XXVI. Of diseases the eye, read: a or of neck erect, if the lock-jaw appears, if red dark By suddenly plunging into cold water after exposing swelling appears on the bitten part, if salivary secretions oneself to the sun, by looking for a long time at a fall from the mouth in streams thick as wax-candles, the distant object, by constantly looking at minute objects, result frequently becomes unfavourable- If again the by sleeping at day-time, by night-keeping, one marks of four teeth be visible on the bitten part, the gets diseases of the eye. Such causes also as the case becomes incurable I., 402, 403.) accession of sweat, dust and smoke into the eye, Sometimes a frog bites a man. The consequences suppression of tho urgings of vomiting or oxcessive are thirst, sleep, vomiting, swelling with pain, and the vomiting, eating liquid food at night, suppression of tho appearance of small pimples 011 the bitten part. There or of in urgings of stool, urine, and the downward wind, is poison the semen of rats and mice. If a person crying often and each time for too long a period, comes in contact with such semen, the symptoms of indulgence in wrath and grief, wounds on the head, poison appear in his body. . (I., 403.) oxcessive drinking, change of seasons, checking the Take in equal measures the pulv. of the following, viz., flow of tears, etc., excite the faults and bring about realgar, yellow orpiment, pepper, white arsenic, hingula, different kinds of eye-diseases. There are many the roots of Achyranthes asperaf those of Datura diseases of the eye. Most of them require surgical fastuosa, those of Nerium odorum, and those of Mimosa ? operations for their cure. Many, again, are incurable sirisa drench the compound a hundred times (accord-

? to of ? t ? (!?> 3o5.) ing the process called Bhavana) in the juice ? For curing redness of the eye, water in which alum Elceocarpus ganitrus, as also of Glitoria ternatea and has been dissolved, or rose water, should be given. divide it into pills of the size of the grains of Phaseolus Our i\etrabindu is a highly efficacious remedy for all mungo. These pills can revive a person who has become varieties of ophthalmia. For curing swelling of the eye, insensible through the action of snake-bite or poison fomentation should be resorted to, vising the boiled swallowed. This medicine is called Bhima-rudrarasa. fruits of opium as the heating agent. (I., 357.) (I., 411.)

From on XXVII. the chapter the disorders XXIX. To Revivalists we recommend the of -pregnant women, we learn : following judicious pronouncement: If the labour be protracted, the roots of Gloriosa When way to excessive emotion, pounded into a with should be people give religious superba, paste kanji, the wind in their becoming excited, on the soles of the feet. The roots of Justicia constitution, brings applied on a swoon or fit of unconsciousness. Such swoons are adhatoda should be tied to the waist, or plasters made not rare among the Vaishnavas of Bengal when they of those roots reduced to a paste should be on applied are engaged in chanting aloud the praises of Vishnu in the navel, the rectum, and the mouth of the uterine singing parties- The nature of these fits of, uncon- canal. The other medicines that induce prompt sciousness is not correctly understood by the friends of are : (1) soot with (2) the roots delivery pounded kanji; those who are subject to them, for these are as of Citrus medica Acida) and regarded (variety liquorice, pounded a state of communication with the The truth with and the fruit of Grewia asiatica, deity. together ghee; (3) is, a swoon about excitement is a Hedysarum gangeticum, Cissampelos hernandijolia and brought by religious disease which, if not treated, the constitution the roots of either Gloriosa or Achyranthes injures superba and at last about death. 418-) aspera, the roots of Artemisia vulgaris, arid the roots of brings (I-, Plumbago zeylanica, taken in measures and equal treated the author's pounded together. The dose of each of these medicines Having cursorily exposition should be 4 annas (I., 378.) of pathology and therapeutics, we come to the If during pregnancy the wind be excited, the result Pharmacopoeia. As every one of our readers is that the body of the woman begins to dry up. The knows, extravagant claims have been advanced foetus also dries The in cases is milk up. remedy such for the whose virtues boiled with liquorice and the fruit of Gmelina arborea. Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia, have been all and Another medicine that does good is ghee boiled with extolled dithyrambically by Tinospora cordifoliaf Batatas paniculata, Physalis 1lexuosa, sundry, whether illuminati or not. We shall Phaseolus Asclepias pseudosarsa, Asparagus racemosus, not undertake a resume of the two volumes trilobus, Glycine and debilis} Ccelogyne ocalis, liquorice. devoted to confine ourselves to (I., 379.) drugs, but shall the citation of certain important passages. XXVIII. 01 bites by venomous animals aiid A. When no is mentioned, water we read : particular liquid reptiles, should be taken. When 110 specification occurs -for If one is bit by a snake when one is at tho foot of Utpala, Nilotpala (Nymplvxa slellata) should bo jtakcn ; an Aswattha (bicus religiosa) tree, or in a cremato- for Purisharasa, the expressod juice of cowdung should rium, or upon an anthill, or at a place where be taken ; for Chandana (sandal-wood), Raktachandana four roads meet, such bite generally proves fatal. (Pterocarpus santalinus), or red sandal-wood, should be The simple reason is that hooded snakes of virulent taken; for mustard seeds, only the white variety; for poison generally reside in such places. Similarly, salt, only Saindhava salt; for urine, only cow's urine ; if one is bit in the morning, or the evening, or and for milk and ghee, only cow's milk, and ghee pre- at a time when the constellations Bhararii, Ardra, pared from cow's milk, should be taken. When flesh is tMagha, Aslesha, and Kirttika are in the ascendant, mentioned of four-footed animals, the flesh of female the bite ends fatally. A person bit in any of the vital animals should be taken- When the flesh of birds is parts of the body seldom recovers. If no blood, even mentioned, that of male birds should be understood. March, 1919.] THE INGREDIENTS OF THE CAtJLfrRON. 87

iron ancl mica. measures of these are As regards goats, the flesh should be taken of herma- pearls, Equal taken and with water. Pills are then phrodite ones; and when flesh is mentioned of the pounded together formed of 2 rattis each. This medicine cures jackal, the male animal should be utilised. If a herma- all kinds of fever that have affected the phrodite goat be not available, the flesh of a she-goat dhatus, intermittent fevers, fevers born of all the faults, as also that is sterile may be taken. In all medicines, articles cough, all over the that are fresh should be used; only treacle, honey, asthma, pains body, headache, otalgia, ghee, in the inflammation of the coriander seeds, and the fruits of Pipali {Piper longum) pains teeth, throat, urticaria, diseases of born of wind and and Biranga (Embelia ribcs) should be old. (II., 4.) the grahani bile, pains in the loss of and B. If the bile or phlegm be excited, the time for waist, appetite, piles gonorrhoea taking the medicine is the morning. For the adminis- (II., 133.) tration of emetics and other the purgatives, correctives, I. The ingredients of Nyagroclhadi also is the proper time. If the five life- Ghurna, morning among in are detailed :? breaths, it is the Apina that has become vitiated, one twenty-eight number, should take medicine before meals. For conquering the Pound them into a fine pulv. This pulv., mixed with excitement of the Vyina, medicine should be taken after honey, is licked. After the licking, the patient should meals. If the Udina bo excited, medicine should be drink the decoction or the infusion of the three myro- taken with one's evening meals. For correcting the balans. This medicine cures all the twenty varieties of faults of the Prana, medicino should bo taken after the gonorrhoea, as also all kinds of strangury and retention evening meals. In hiccup, convulsions, shivering and of urine. It keeps the skin from pimples. (II., 472.) other diseases in which the wind is predominant, J. The ingredients of Maha Lakshmivilasa are mica medicine should be taken before and after meals. 8 tolas, sulphur and mercury, each 4 tolas, tin 2 tolas, UL, II.) silver 1 tola, svarnamaksliika 1 tola, copper half a tola, C. When iron is burnt, its filth comes out. This filth camphor 4 tolas, nutmeg flower, nutmeg and the seeds is called mandura. Mandura that is a hundred years old of Datura fastaosa, each 2 tolas, and gold 1 tola. or more, should be used medicinally. At least that Pound all these together with the expressed juice of betel which is sixty years old may be taken. Mandura leaves, and form pills of 2 ratti's each. Taken with tho which is less than sixty years old should never be used. expressed juice of betel leaves or with any other vehiclo It should be burnt and then dipped in cow's urine- The that is fit, this medicine cures gonorrhasa, loss of semen, burning and dipping should go on for seven times. It loss of turgescence of the generative organ, cough, should then be reduced to powder and subjected to inflammation of the schneiderian membrane, phthisis, roasting. (II., 23.) acute rheumatism, urticaria, diseases of women, diseases D. Diamond is first purified by being inserted into a of the throat, diseases of the nose, diseases of the eye, piece of root of kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum) and fever born of all the three faults excited together, all boiling it in the decoction of the seeds of kulattha phlegm-born diseases, and all diseases born of the three (Dolichos bijlorus) and the paddy known as kodo, for faults excited together. When a man is dying, and his three days, tying it in a piece of hanging cloth. The body has lost all heat, this medicine acts most bene- purification being completed in this way, the diamond ficially. (II., 495.) should then be burnt in a fire and dipped in the decoction, K. The ingredients of Kamadhenu are the pulvs. of mixed with hingu (asafcetida) and Saindhava salt, of the purified sulphur, and ripe Phyllanthus emblica, each 5 seeds of Dolichos bifiorus. This should be done for palas. Macerate these seven times in each of the juices of twenty-one times. The result will be a fine dust fit for the fruit of Phyllanthus emblica and the root of Bombax use. (II., 25.) malabaricum. After this, pound them together, and E. The poison of black cobra (Krishna-sarpa) orkrait mix them with 10 palas of sugar and honey. The to be taken is taken for medicinal purposes. The poison should be proper dose is 4 mishis, with ghee and first mixed with mustard oil and dried in the sun. It honey. After taking the medicine the patient should should then be macerated, first in the expressed juice of drink a little milk. This medicine imparts sexual betel leaves, then in the expressed juice of the leaves of power to even an octogenarian. (II., 496.) baka (Sesbania grandiflora), and lastly in the decoction L. The ingredients of Aswagandha Taila are the of kura {Aplotaxis auriculata) The process of macera- paste of Physcdis Jlexuosa, Asparagus racemosus, Aplotaxis tion in each should be repeated three times. (II., 26.) auriculuta, Nardotachys J atamansi, and the fruit of indicum. F. The name Jwarankusa implies the goad against Solanum Take equal measures of these and fever, that is, a medicine which controls fever like a milk four times the measure of the paste. Boil with goad in the hands of the driver controlling an elephant these sesame oil duly. This medicated oil, rubbed over the its full or any other beast. The ingredients are 1 part of breast, promotes development, and rubbed over the male of mercury, 2 parts of sulphur, 3 parts of cinnabar, and 4 organ generation enhances its turgi- parts of croton seeds. These are pounded into a paste dity. (II., 507.) with the decoction of the roots of Croton polyandrum. The ingredients of Tryushanadya Lauha are the threo the leaves of Pills are made of the weight of 1 ratti. The vehicle used acrids, Cannabis Indica, Piper chaba, the roots of is a little water in which sugar has been dissolved. Plumbago zeylanica, Vit salt, Audbhid salt, of Serratula This medicine cures acute fevers. (II., 89.) the seeds anthelmintica, Saindhava salt, G. The ingredients of the medicine called Sri Sanni- and Sachala salt. Take equal measures ot these and to it the to patamrityunjaya-rasa are as follows: mercury, sulphur, add ashes of iron equal the united measure of the these aconite, dry ginger, Piper longum, black pepper, the drugs named. Mix all together. seeds of Mucuna pruriens, the roots of Achyranthes The measure of a dose is 4 rattis, to be taken with ghee aspera, the roots of Plumbago zeylanica, the seeds of and honey. This medicine cures obesity, gonorrhasa, Croton tiglium and the bile of the rahu fish, the and other diseases. (II., 510.) the the and the are taken peacock, goat, boar, buffalo, Naturally one regrets that the other diseases in equal measures and together with the urine pounded are not detailed. of the goat. Pills are then formed of the size of peas. (II., 118, 119.) M. Fatty tumours may be cured by applying over them plasters made of the following, viz., Curcuma longa, The above is said to cure Sannipata fever. Symplocos racemosa, red sandal-wood, domestic soot, H. The ingredients of medicine called Churamani- and realgar, pounded in equal measures with honey. The same treatment should be in the case of rasa and Rasasindura are corals, gold, silver, tin, copper, adopted 88 THE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE. [March, 191D.

( Aloe open bleeding cancers. Plasters should be applied over Pound these together with the expressed juice of tumours, made of beans, dry paste of mustard seeds, the i?idicaf and form pills of 2 rattis each. This medicine, seeds of Dolichos biflorus, and a large measure of animal taken with the decoction of cumin seed as the vehicle, flesh, pounded together with curds. The plaster should cures all faults of the foetus, piercing pains in the be kept long. When it is seen that worms have been female organ, itching of the same, nymphomania, generated and flies are breeding in it and that a por- distension of the female organ, and other ailments. tion of the tumour has been eaten away by them, the (II., 632.) plaster should then be washed off, and the remaining T. The ingredients of Soma Ghrita are vaccine ghee, portion of the tumour should be removed by surgical four seers, and the paste of white mustard seed, operation and its base cauterised by fire. The cauterised Acorus calamus, the potherb called Gratiola Monnieria, base should be covered with a thin leaf of lead, or Plandera decvssata, Boerhaavia diffusa, Ksliirakakoli, kurrooa copper, or iron. Alkaline ashes, fire and surgical oper- Aplotaxis auriciduta, liquorice, Picrorrhiza Qreivia ation, should be resorted to for completely removing the grapes, the fruit of Gmelina arborea, the fruit of growth. The strength of the patient should be exa- asiatica, Ichnocarpus frutescens, Asdepia% pseudosarsa, mined before operation is resorted to. (II., 537.) Curcuma longa, Cissampelos hernandilolia, the bark of surgical Cinnamomum N. The ingredients of Goji Taila are sesame oil 4 zeylanicum, Pinus deodarat Sachala salt, Embelia llubia the three Lioxbur- seers, the paste of Elephantopus scaber, ribes, Munjista, myrobalans, Aglaia Justicia liquorice, the bark of Cardamomum zeylanicum, carda- ghiana, the followers of adhatoda, and red in all one seer. This should be taken from mom seeds, the leaves of Cardamomum tamila, the ochre, ghee flowers of Mesua ferrea, camphor, the fruit of Kakoli, the second month of gestation to the sixth month. It cures all faults of and the as also Aquilaria agallocha, saffron, and cloves, in all 1 seer, conception foetus, and water 16 seers. Boil all these together duly. This of the female organ. It enables a woman to obtain oil cures syphilis. (II., 553.) a male child possessed of strength and energy. It clears the voice, removing all kinds of obstruction of The method of preparation of Rasamanikya is speech. It cures dumbness. If taken for only seven as follows : days, one's memory is so strengthened as to enable one to reproduce a passage recited only once in one's hear- O. Take a quantity of orpiment called Vansapatra, ing. (II., 639.) and macerate it, three or seven times in the of juice U. The of Sahacharadi are the roots of Cucurbita pepo, and sour curds. After ingredients maceration, Barleria tubers of perns rotumus, Tmospo/a divide the into small the cristaiuf Cy orpiment pieces. Keep pieces I1vederiu /aitida, and Pavoma in a concave earthen dish. Place another earthen dish cordifo'ut, dry ginger, odorata. The decoction of these should be drunk after upon it with the convex side upwards, forming the two a proper of It cures dishes into a sort of Then lute the line mixing quantity honey. puerperal sphere. joining fever and its on the first of its ad- with the of and the pains very day paste jujube leaves, place joined ministration. 645-) dishes on the mouth of an earthen and (II., empty vessel, Y. The of Gura are treacle heat to it. When the vessel becomes take ingredients Panchajiraka apply red-hot, 4 and milk 8 seers. Boil all down the dishes the 12| seers, ghee seers, joined containing orpiment. Upon these When the mass assumes the the of will look together. consistency, breaking vessel, pieces orpiment add to it of Niyella sativa of the smaller like The measure of a dose is 2 pulvs. variety, shining pearls. rattis, Habusha, coriander seeds, dill seeds, Vadari, Ptychoti* to be taken with ghee and This medicine cures honey. ajo'ian. Sinapis racemosa, (that variety of tubercular those skin-diseases which are Vansapatri leprosy, asafoetida which is called Nadi Piper long urn, classed under fistula-in-ano and other hingu) leprosy, syphilis, the roots of Piper longum. Cassia sopliora, Cnidium ailments. (II., 561.) diffusum, mustard seeds, and !'lumbago zeylanica and P. The of Durlava-rasa are Sida cordi- ingredients 4 of the of each of the viz, Sida palas pulvs. following, folia, alba, Piper longum. Emblic myrobalans, Scirpus kysoor, Aplotaxis auriculata, and qanitrus, and Pound all these dry ginger, Elzeocarpus ghee honey. cumin seeds. Cook all these on a slow fire- This with and rasa in a mortar together mercury, sindura, medicine cures all the twenty varieties of the diseases and make pills of 1 ratti each. This medicine cures of the female organ, also consumption, asthma, fever, small-pox. It is named Durlava-rasa (unobtainable or phthisis, malignant jaundice, and chlorosis. It removes rare) because it is a rare medicine. 588.) really (II., difficulty of micturition, and foetid smell of the body- Q. The of Indu Vati are ingredients silajatu, mica, Besides it helps the growth of the bosoms of the women and iron, each one part, and svarnamakshika, a fourth and makes their eyes as broad as lotus leaves- (II., 647.) part. Macerate all these in the of expressed juice W. The medicines which the Solanum nigrum, Asparagus racemosus, the fruit of prevent untimely of the marks of remove the marks Phyllanthus emblica, and lotus flowers, and make pills appearance age, when they appear, and also protect a person from attacks of 2 rattis each. Taken with the juice of emblic myro- of are called confer balans or their decoction, this medicine cures wind-born disease, Rasayana. Rasayanas and diseases of the ears, such as noises, as longevity, sharpen memory, improve intelligence subjective etc., make the and also gonorrhoea. (II., 605.) complexion, impart strength, voice sweet, one from sudden attacks of disease. Water R. The ingredients of Nagarjuna Anjana are the three protect used as snuff at dawn acts as a It cures myrobalans, the three acrids, Saindhava salt, liquorice, early Rasayan. inflammation of the schneiderian membrane sulphate of copper, galena, the fragrant wood called causing loss of the sense of smell. It also alleviates hoarse- Pundaria, Embelia ribes, Symploos racemosa, and copper. ness of and bronchitis or It These four and ten articles are pounded into a paste voice, cough- strengthens drunk to one's with dew collected in the morning. Make sticks of the eye-sight- Water, according before the of the cures wind-born this paste and apply as collyrium by rubbing them capacity rising sun, and bile-born diseases and confers Water, with human milk. It cures cataract; used as collyrium longevity. drunk at dawn the more by rubbing them with the expressed juice of the early through nose, yields results than if drunk the mouth. flowers of Butea Jmndosa, they cure white spots on the salutary through These two ways of drinking water are called Ushapana cornea r and used as collyrium by rubbing them with at dawn). Such is beneficial goat's urine, they prevent the appearance of cataract. (drinking drinking highly in diseases due to (II., 615.) indigestion. (II., 661.) S. The ingredients of Chandragsu-rasa are equal X Boil the flesh of sparrows in the meat-juice of the flesh of in the of measures of mercury, sulphur, mica, iron, and tin. partridges, partridges meat-juice March, 1919.] COMMENTS ON THE AYURVEDIC "SYSTEM." . 89

a for Susruta's fowl, and the flesh of fowl in the meat-juice of the suppressio veri; midwifery consis- peacock, and the flesh of the peacock in the meat-juice ted in enjoining the use of incantations alone to of swans, separately. Then fry each separately in new hasten the expulsion of the foetus, until its death. Make each sour or sweet some sour ghee. by adding When the foetus was known to be dead, then and juice or sweet and perfume each with such juice, then were the various describ- aromatics as cardamom seed, etc. Each of these pre- only manipulations ed to be To call this is an parations increases the semen, and imparts strength to employed. midwifery the whole system. (II., 666.) abuse of language. A favourite contention forward the Unfortunately we have little space to spare, brought by is that but we cannot refrain from quoting the following protagonists of Ayurveda Anatomy and as Susruta were on a passages from the list of articles of animal origin Surgery taught by very is often used in Ayurvedic therapy. high level, and the assertion made by those who to know better that the method Jalasukti?Jhinuk?Ouster.?It is a kind of aquatic ought to animal. Its flesh is acrid, demulcent, stomachic, diges- of dissection enjoined by him is superior that tive, cardiac, generative of the inclination for food and followed all over the world to-day. To brush beneficial in abdominal Sula and diseases of tumours, away, layer by layer, the semi-fluid tissues of a poison. (III., 861.) corpse is not the way to arrive at Makara?Makar?Hind., Mang. (Garial).?It is a kind decomposing accurate of its structure. Otherwise of aquatic animal found in rivers and seas. Its flesh is knowledge generative of the inclination for food, stomachic, genera- how could the Sages for a moment have asserted tive of the secretion of semen, alleviative of wind, and that from the navel there run a great number of stones in the bladder. (III. 863.) ducts, Wind, Bile, and Phlegm; and Timi?Timi? Whale?It is a kind of fish found carrying how could their Commentators have dared to in seas. Med. use.?It is sweet, stimulant, demulcent, ? No one has ever seen heavy in digestion, costive, generative of the secretion repeat the statement of semen, inducive of dyspepsia, cardiac, phlegmatic these ducts, but their description is there for all and alleviative of wind. (III., 881.) the world to read. It was with theories of the and termination of based Now that we have brought to an end our origin, progress disease, on unstable foundations such as that the study of the Ayurvedic system of medicine as set these, forth in the Charaka-Samhita, the Susruta- Ayurvedic system of medicine was built up. Samhita and the work of Kaviraj Nagendra TsTath As to Surgery, all that we need say is that if Sen Gupta, we are able to state the impressions any one were to try to couch a cataract by follow- received by us during the course of our study. ing the directions given by Susruta, as to the The claim?made in a Calcutta print?that Ayur- instruments used and the manner of their use, veda, since it has not changed for two thousand he would assuredly cause damage to the patient. years, must be perfect, cannot be sustained by Susruta's surgery was that of his age?the Second any one who will take the trouble to read the Century, A.D.?and therefore very defective. It extracts given by us. It is idle to assert?as is idle to pretend that it was otherwise. " those who advocate Ayurveda assert?that the The respect paid to "authority and the total Sages used the words Vayu, Pitta, Kapha in a neglect of easily-ascertainable facts, which could sense different from that attaching to wind, bile not but invalidate that authority, are the bane and phlegm, which these words signify to-day, of this system. One of its corner-stones is the because by these words they signified nervous axiom that diseases are the results of the work- force, metabolism, phagocytosis, and what not. ings of malignant spirits, who must therefore be Special pleading of this kind may do very well placated by offerings and cajoled by incantations. in the law courts, but it is entirely out of place In the matter of children's diseases, it is in matters medical. It is not pleasing to find asserted that these are due to the action of of the various that the Kaviraj, in his account certain spirits, who were too late to secure diseases, vaunts his own preparations for their lucrative appointments on the staff of the is to find that the were treatment. It disappointing Destroyer, and forced to accept power to translator of the Charaka-Samhita, who professes levy toll on sorrowing parents, who might have " not to he able to identify the herb Soma," does committed any of the hundred odd ritual faults, say a word to indicate that he recognises the by .afflicting their offspring. of what is about its falsity taught wonder-working A system whose theories are ill-founded is virtues. It is that the Commentators, strange bound to furnish glaring instances of the fact in who must have had some of observation power its therapeutics. Thus we have in a modern and love of their silence, truth, countenanced, by work, a certain combination of drugs extolled as the claims made for certain which compounds, being able to cure such very different conditions were asserted to confer the of power renewing as obesity and gonorrhoea; and another youth and life for hundreds of years, prolonging combination described as being able to effect a when taken to the directions according given. cure in all diseases of women, however caused. In his preface the Kaviraj asserts that mid- A system which teaches that drugs and natural wifery has made but little progress since the days excretions, long since rejected by men in other of Susruta. This, we regret to say, is distinctly 90 THE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE. [March, 1919. lands, should be used to-day in the treatment of disease can only be called antiquated. A system which teaches that centipedes bite ; that there are eight kinds of spiders whose bite is necessarily fatal; that the urine of a spider causes intense inflammation of the skin with which it is brought into contact; that the semen of the mouse is poisonous; that scorpions are generated by cow-dung and by dead snakes; and that to wear a myrobalan seed on the arm is a sure preventive of smallpox, cannot be said to be founded on accurate observation. A system which teaches that the physician, before he sees the 'patient, can gather valuable information as to the outcome of the disease, from observing the complexion, dress, gait, and caste of the messenger sent to summon him, cannot be called scientific, even by the most sympathetic student. A system which teaches that, for his own sake, the physician should refuse to treat a patient whom he deems to be in dire peril of his life does not accord with ethics.