Bull. Ind. Inst. Hist. Med. Vol. XVIII. pp. 135 to 142

ABSTRACTS OF MEDICO-HISTORICAL ARTICLESIN HINDI JOURNALS

VI NOD KUMAR BHATNAGAR*

I. Vradhavastha Ke KareDa: .\yurve-deya ViCaral)a (Reasons of aidage: Ayurvedic contemplation):Rajendra Shatnagar: AyurvedaVikasa: 22: 3, March, 1983-PP.6-8.

The author in this article hasmentioned various Ayurvedic contem-plations on causes of old age quotedby Susruta, Dalhsna and Caraka. SUs-ruta accepted old age as natural dise-ase. Dalhana has stated that, due tohunger and thirst jaravastha (old age)starts. Susruta mentioned four typesof diseases i.e. Agantuja, ~aririka,Manasika and Swabhavika. Swabha-vika ragas ore available in CarakaSarnhita, Bhela Sarnhta and KibyapaSamhitfi. Svvabhavika rogas are defi-ned as which occurs by nature. Theauthor quotes from Caraka that:

1. Ayurveda is regarded as the mostsacred in the circle of vedicscholars. The reason is thatRigveda etc. deal with the matterrelated to the other world

whereas Ayurveda the means forhealth and virtue is beneficialfor mankind in respect of boththe worlds (i.e. this life and thelife beyond). Moreover, Ayur-veda promotes life which servesas a mean for four objects ofman. (ca. sutra. 1/43).

2. Good health stands at the veryroot of virtuous acts, acqu irementof wealth, gratification of des-ire and final emancipation.Diseases are destroyers of health,well being and life. (ca. sutra.1/1 6).

3. Cikitsa (that which alleviatesdisorders). Vvadhihar a (destro-yer of diseases) pathva (benefi-cial for the channels) Sadhanathat which is an instrument forperformance) ausadha (that whichis prepared of herbs). pravascitta(expiation), Prasarnana (pacifi-cation), Prakritlsthaoana (thatwhich helps recovery), hita(wholesome)-these are the svn-

*Research Asstt . (Ay.) I.I.H.M., Hyderabad.

136

onvms of bheseja (therapeutics)ca.ci 1/2, 3).

4. In this catuska (quarter) haritaki,amlaki etc. six accomplished rasayana formulations have beendescribed which promote life.(ca. ci. 1/81).

5. The person using rasavan a treat-ment in early age lived for thou-sand of years uneffected by oldage, debility illness and death.One who use the rasavana treat-ment methodically attains notonly long life but also the auspi-cious status enjoyed by thegodly sages and finally onenesswith indestructable god (ca.ci1/79-80).

Further author describes do anddon'ts which may cause mental andphysical illness. Various reasons arealso given to prevent old age.Under the preventive method he hassuggested that Rasiiyana (Rejuvena-tion) therapy must be adopted toavoid jaravastha (old age).

II. Ayurveda mein krimi roga (para-sitic infestations in Ayurveda)B. P. Tamirakara; Ayurveda Vika-sa; 22:3, March 1983, PP. 20-24.

The Origin of Ayurveda is fromVedas. But Ayurveda is consideredas Upveda of Athervaveda. Thedescription of parasitic infestationsis available in Ayurveda as well as

Bulletin Ind. Inst. flist. Med. Vol. XVIII

in Athervaveda. In Athervaveda,visible and invisible worms, theircolour, shape are given. In infantsit is commonly available. Variousreferences are available in Atherva-veda. Some of the important singledrugs prescribed for worms areAjasringi. guggulu, Kammpillaka,Haridra, pramandani, asavattha etc.Detailed description is available inCaraka Sarnhita in its 19th Chapterof Vimanasthana, where 20 types ofworms have been mentioned. Mainclassifications are of three types i.e.Raktaja, Slesmaja and purisaja. Itssymptoms and treatment are alsogiven. Single drug treatment of Krimi(worms) as prescribed in Caraka,Susruta, Bhavaprakasa, Riij Niqhan tu,Kayyadeva Niqhantu, Cakradatta,Dhanvantri nighantu is as givenbelow.

Vayaviclanga, Nagarmotha, Nir-qundi, Marica, qandir a, qoksuru.palasa, Chohara. Ingudi, Vanatulsi,Kitarnar i, Citraka, etc. Among therasa ausadhls parade Bhasma, LauhaBhasma, Shilajeet Karilsya BhasmaTutth a Bhasma, Tarnra Bhasma areprescribed for Krimi roga. Rasa Tar-anqini quotes compound formula-tions as Vidanqadi yoga, Krimi mud-gara Rasa, Vidanga Lauha,

In brief the author, in this articlehas presented references available inSusruta Samhita. Dhanvantari Nigh-antu, Bhava Prakasa, Cakradatta, RajaNiqhantu etc.

Abstracts of Articles in Hindi Journals-Bhatnagar 137

III. Nasya aur Neti (Nasal Insuffala-tion) Ayodhya Prasad Achal,Ayurveda Vikiisa; 22: 3, March,1983 pp. 38-42.

The author provides informationaccording to Ayurveda and Yoga onNasya and Neti. The word Nasya isclassified in Ayurveda as Purificationprocess for throat, eye, nose, ear bymedicated inha lation. Nasya is veryuseful in eye disorders. earpain,sinusites. Nasal disorders, toothache,hemiplegia, stiffneck etc. Nasyas areof three types. 1. Virecana Nasva,Brrnhana Nasya and Samaria Nasva.

1. Virecana Nasya: clears the pro-blems of nose, eye, mouth thro-ugh extracting water from head.This is useful in Kapha predomi-nent diseases.

2. Brrnh ana Nasya: is useful in Viita-pradhiina disorders of head.

3. Samaria Nasya : is useful inPitta pradhana disorders. Moredetails on Nasya Vidhi are availa-ble in Caraka; Siddhisthiina,chapter 1, 2, and 9. Susruta,Chikitsasthana. Chapter 40, A~t-ailga Sanqraha. Sutrasthiina,Chapter 29 and A~~aliga Hrdava,Sutrasthana, Chapter 20.

In Yoga system Neti is admini-stered for all disorders related witheye, nose, throat, ear, head etc.Description available on Neti in Hat-yoga Pradipika is given by the author

in this article. Details of sutranetiand jalaneti is also available.

IV. Niigarjuna Likhita Sthambhi Pata-leputrake (Nagarjuna's inscrip-tion at Pataleputra). P.V. Sharma;Ayurveda Vikiisa; 22: 4 April,1983, pp. 7-8.

In this article the author hasdescribed about Nagarjuna and hisinscription at Pataliputra. Nagarjunawas popular for his work in Alchemy,who has stated that, with his workon Alchemy, he would remove thepoverty from the world. SiddhaNagarjuna was the author of "RasaHatnakara". It is reported that therewere many Nagarjunas. One of themhad redacted Susruta Samhita. Thecommentator Dalhana had also repor-ted the same. Cakrapanidatt a in hisbook "Cakradatta" quoted aboutNagarjuna Krita Lauha Sastra (LauhaTantra). From this he concludes thatthe period of Nagiirjuna Krita Lauha~astra was after 9th cent. and theperiod of Cakrapani before 11th cent.One more quotation by AI-Beruni(11 th cent) during his visit, refersthat Nagarjuna's period WAS 100years before his visit to India. Thisproves that Nagarjuna's period wasof 10th cent. Vrnd a Madhava inhis book described Nagiirjuna Vartiin eye disorders.

This Nagarjuna Varti is useful inall types of eye disorders. The abovesaid reference is not available in

138

Susruta Samhita, A'!tal'lga Hridaya.According to Vagabhatta this Yogamay be called as "Catudasanqi 'because it contains 14 ingredientsas inscribed by Nagarjuna.

Author has suggested that thissubject should be taken for researchby opthalmalogists because of itsoriginality in 10th cent.

V. Rasa~astra aur BhaisajvakalpanaKe Miilabhiita sidhdhanta (Basicprinciples of Rasasastre andBhal-ajvakalpana) GyaneshwarSharma and S.K. Dixit AyurvedaVikasa: 22:5, May 1983,-PP. 7-8.

The author highlights the deve-lopment in Hasasastra and Bhaisajyakalpana. Before Nagarjuna's per-iod the use of minerals, metals, poi-sons were in practice but in themodern era the same are practised inmodified way. This development isbecause of man made research whichshows the encouraging result inmany diseases. Caraka in a separateChapter of "Ahara Vidhi" quotesthat each drug has its own import-ence by its Rasa, GUI!a, Vlrva-vipaka,Lolarnbaraja quoted that, when pat-hya is administered properly there isno need to give medicine, In anci-ent period yusha, vilepi, Lehya,rnanda, peya, panaka, ksirapaka werecommonly used. Later this becameone of the subject of Bhaisajva Kal-panii..

Bulletin Ind. lnst. Hist. Mec: Vol. XVIII

There are 11 important basicprinciples of Rasasastra and Bhaisajva-kalpana, which are as follows:

1. Tova Sannikarsa, 2.Agni Sanni-karsa, 3. Saicana, 4. MaIi.thana5.Desa, 6. Kala, 7. Vasana, 8. Bhava-na, 9. Kalaorakarsh. , O. Bhojana11, Mana. Detailed information onthese principles is available in thisarticle.

VI. Ayurveda-Cikitsii mein Panca-karam ka Mahatva (Importanceof pancakarrna in Ayurvedic Treat-ment) : Brahmananda Tripathi;Ayurveda Vikasa : 22: 5, May1983 - PP. 9-13.

The author in this article provi-des information on pancakarma inAyurvedic treatment. Pancakarrnais a valuable subject in Indian medi-cine. In PaJi.cakarma therapy 2-3months are required to get rid ofdisease due to which the progress ofthis system is not popular. Panca-karma steps are as follows: Snehana(Lubrication), Swedana (sweating),Vamana (Vomiting), Virecana (pur-gation). Basti (Cleaning or SoothingEnemata) and Nasva (Nasal purge).Snehana (Lubrication), ghee, taila,vasa, majja are used as snehanadravyas. These are used for sneha-pana, anuvasana, sirobasti. uttarabasti,nasya, karnapur ana, abhyanga. Itcan be given to children, elderly per-sons and lean persons. Other basic

Abstracts of Articles in Hindi Journais-Bhatnagar

principles for snehan are also avail-eble in this article.

Dosage of snehspsne: This dep-ends on the physician, after carefulexamination of patient, dosage has tobe fixed. If the patient is lean itwill be given in small quantity withintervals otherwise one dose is;suffi-cient. It is observed that aftersnehapana, heaviness in the bodyand anorexia are found.

Swedana (Sweating): This isfollowed by snehana. According toCaraka it is of 13 types. Duration ofsudation varies from patient to pati-ent and also according to seasons.Normally 30 minutes to one hour isprescribed. During winter seasontemperature is maintained at 65" C.and in summer 55' C. Blood pressureis to be checked up regularly. Insome cases it is observed that pati-ent feels uneasyness and palpitation.The sudation therapy is very effectivein vata rogas.

Vamana (Vomiting).' This isfollowed by swedana. The mostuseful drug is Madana phala. Beforeadministration of Varnaka dravyapatient's mental and physical illnessis to be checked properly. Due toexcess of vomitting patient feelspalpitation, sweating, chest pain etc.Heavyness, burning sensation areobserved in those cases who couldnot vomit.

139

Virecana (Purgation) Virecanais followed b {vamana. Before Vire-cana once again snehana and swedanaare to be administered properly beca-use these are called purva karmas.

Purgative drugs and dose.' Seh-unda (Euphorbia neriitotie ) milk 2ml. or Nishotha (Operculina Turpe-thum) powder 2 grm.

VII. Carakokta Madhumeha Cikitsa-Sarntksa (Treatment of Diabetesaccording to Caraka-review) :V. N. Aswani Kumar Shastri andS. P. Sharma; Ayurveda Vikasa;2: 25 :May 1983,-pp. 38-40.

Caraka in Nidanasthana Chapter4, described the onset of 20 types ofPrameha raga. In this chapter otherdescriptions like, Nidana, Sarnprapti,do-a. dl-l~yaetc. are available. Carakain cikitsastha na in brief has des-cribed prameha The root cause ofthe disease indicated as Kapha prad-hana Tridosa. In modern medicine,diabeties is taken as Metabolic dise-ase which can be controlled by glu-cose Metabolism.

According to Ayurvedic principlesRaktameha is caused by viciated pittaand Hastimeha due to viciated vata.Out of 20 prameha 10 are curable, 6are yapya (can be controlled only)and 4 are incurable. The author hassuggested that Ayurvedic students,research scholars and scientists, mustbe aware of fundamental principlesof Caraka in the treatment of Pra-

140

meha. The main stress is given onthe patient's diet-regimen i. e. abalanced diet.

VIII. R igvediya Soma (Soma in l~ig-veda) Ramakrishna Upadhya:Ayurveda Vikasa: 22: 6, June1983,-pp. 40-46.

In vedas the description of manydivine medicines are available. Am-ong them Soma is having importantplace because it is used as a singledrug where as other medicines areused in compound formulations.

Now-a-days it is rare and untra-ceable medicine which can not beidentified. Its description is avail-able in Rigveda. During Vedic periodSomalata Swre ss was used in yajnyato make God Indira happy. Susrutain Cikitsasthana quoted that, Somacan be seen by the person who havespecific nature and qualities.

At present the drug used in thename of 'Soma' is different fromSoma described in Rigveda. Theherbal medicine availabie in the nameof 'Soma' is of two types 1. Ephedragerardiana 2. Sarcostamma brevis-tigma. In Hajaniqhantu it is reportedthat Sercostemme bravistigma is sub-stitute of Soma. It is of six varietiesi.e. Somaya, Mahesvally, Pratisoma,Anatravellika, Apatravellika, and Kan-dasakha.

Synonyms of Soma: in 'Sabdas-

Bulletin Ind. Inst. Hist. Med. Vol. XVII!

toma Mahanidhi' are mentioned asChandra, Karpura, Soma, Lata, Ausa-dha, Tadrasa, Amrita, Didhiti, Amer,Kubera, yama, Vyau and jala. 'Abhi-dhana' (in Bangia) quotes as chandra,karpura, soma, lata, anosadhi. Tadrasa,Amrita, Amar, Kubera, varna. vavu,Didhiti and jala as synonyms. Otherreferences on synonyms of Somaare also described in Sabdastornamahanidhi. Sanskrit Hindi Kosa SabdaKalpadruma etc.

According to Susruta 24 typesof Soma are available. (Su. Ci 23/9)Caraka in Cikitsasthana also referredthe availability of Soma. Details onsource of availability, their uses anddoses are also given by the author.

IX. Caraka Samhita Mein Amlapitta(Hvperaciditv in Caraka Sarnhita}:V. K. Tripathi and K. Kanta; Avur-veda Vikasa 22:6 ; June 1983PP 9-11.

The author has compiled theinformation on 'Amlapltta' in CarakaSarnhita, Caraka has included pra-vahika in the chapter of Atisara.In the same manner Amlapitta isincluded in the chapter of grahal1ibut not as a separate disease. InBrahattrvi the description of Amla-pitta is only available in Caraka.No reference is available in Susrutaand A,:tanga hrdava. But in Laghu-tryi, Amlapitta is described as sepa-rate disease.

Abstracts of Articles in Hindi Journals-Bhatnagar

The author has presented eightpoints relating its link with amlapittain Caraka Sarnnitji. He has quotedsome important references fromCaraka, Ch i kitsasthana, S .•trastha naand Kasvaoa sarnhita.

X. Parivar a Kalyana aur Ayurveda(Family planning and Ayurveda);S. Chaturvedi, Ayurveda MahaSammelana patrika: 70:9; Sep.1983 PP. 13-15.

Family planning is very popularnow-a-days and very much import-ance is given to it. The author, inthis article has quoted various proce-dures for family planning. Accordingto Ayurvedic concept human life isdivided into four stages i.e. Kaisora-vastha, vuvavastha (grhasthasram),proudhavasthii. and (Vanaprastha)Sanvas Vj dh.iv as tha , The vedicperiod mentioned a few hymns inVedas that bear relevance to thetheme of fc:mily planning. Some ofthe single arid compound formula-tions are also given by the author asmentioned in Yoqartnakara, Hajrnar-t a nda. Hasarnanjar! etc.

XI. Pracina Bharativa ,;alya cik itsa(Surgical Treatment in ancientIndia) Upadhaya S. N. : AyurvedaMabasarnrnelana patrika: 70: 9Sep, 1983; PP 23, 24 & 27.

No doubt. during ancient times,medical science in India was at itspaak. Ayurveda is the oldest one as

141

Vedas and old classics have mentio-ned it. Ayurvedic medical system isdivided into three broad aspects oftreatment i.e. Daivi Cikitsa. Vana-usadhi Cikitsl and Asuri or salvacikit sa. According to specialists ofss lva Cikitsa (surgery) was given byIndra to Dhanvantari, then Dhanvan-tari to Susrut a. Susruta had compi-led this knowledge in book formwhich is called 'Susruta Sarnhita',During this period it is reported that.in surgery transplantation of eyes,heart and head were performed by theAshwins. 'Mohinicurna' VIlas givenbefore performing surgery as ananesthetic drug. Accordinq to'V.igbhattartha Kaumudi', surgeonsof Aryan race were more progressivebut they were not given proper sta-tus in the society. They were restric-ted from participation in yajnya andcelebrations. During Buddha periodthe downfall of Surgery startedbecause of the teachings of GautarnBuddha towards Ahirnsa.

XII. Tridosa paraka Swapana EvamPrakrti (Swapana - Tridosa andpr akr ti) R.N. Tripathi and Jyo-tirmitra; Ayurveda Mahasarnme-Ian patrika; 69 : 1 Jan. 1983;PP 9-12,

In this article a detailed descri-ption is given about the swapnas(dreams). When a person fallsasleep the dreams he sees are divi-ded into four yama (chases) viz;First, second, third and fourth vamas

142

related with vats. pitta, kapha andsattva respectively. References andtheir detailed descriptions ore avail-able on Vata, Pitta, Kapha, domina-nce persons along with their prakrti.For prevention of bad dreams man-tras are also prescribed.

XIII. Balausadhaman Ke paripeksvamein Sarangadhara Evam AnayaAcaryon Ka. SamanvavatrnakaAdhayana (Coordinative study ofSarangadhara and other Acarvaswith regard to dose of medicinein children): B. P. Pandey andL.V.Guru: Ayurveda Mahasarn-melana patrika; 70:10, Oct. 1983;PP 5-7 .

According to Caraka, medicineshould be administered in children invery small dosage as they are verydelicate and dependent. In childrenpancakarma is contraindicated andwhile treating them one should consi-der their temperament and completepathogenesis of their disease.Susruta says they should be treatedaccording to their disease, and medi-cine like Ka:aya etc. should begiven directly to them not to themother. An infant more than onemonth of age being fed with milkonly, should be given medicine inthe quantity of which can be heldbetween the two fingertips (a pinch-ful of medicine). A child being fedon milk and cereals should be givena paste or powder equal to a seed ofa kola (Zizyphus ju job«) and a child

Bulletin Ind. Inst. Hist. Med. Vol. XVIII

fed on cereals only should be giventhe medicine equal to a fruit of kola.

Vagbh~ta is of the opinion that,medicine should be administered insmall dose according to the age ofchildren considering their dosa. pari-I)a.ma,Asaya, desa, kala and satva etc.

Kasavapa has recommendedapplication of afijana in eye diseasesof children and recommended medi-cated ghritapana as per their age.According to Cakradatta avaleha,madhu, ksira, sita and ghrita are to begiven in small quantities. Saranqad-hara has recommended one rattidose of medicine for new born babyupto one month. Thereafter themedicine is to be increased by 1:1ratti upto the age of twelve months.The same is mentioned in Cakradattaalso. For anupana, star.aya, madhu.~arkara. qhrita have been mentioned.Thereafter from one year to 16 yearsof age the dose of medicine shouldbe one masa for one year of age andtwo masas tor two years of age inthis way one masa of the medicine isto be increased for every year up tothe age of 16 years. hence at the ageof 16 years the dose will be 16 masaswhich will remain constant upto theage of 70 years. Ar.lhamalla hasmentioned swarn a. rajata siliijatu tobe given in the form of medicine ineach dose of ratti in children. He hasconsidered the childhood upto theage of 16 years.