Susruta Samhita - Mandhata Global

Chap. X ] NIDANA STHANAM. 7I
permeating it in a subtle or essential form. The charac-
teristic features of the breast-milk bear analogy to those
of semen. The breast milk is secreted, and flows
out at I he touch, sight or thought of the child in the
same manner as the semen is dislodged and emitted
at the sight, touch or recollection etc. of a beloved
woman. As the strong and unclouded affections of a
man arc the cause of the emission of semen, so the fondest
love of a mother for her children brings about the secre-
tion of her breast-milk Both semen and breast-milk are
the product of the essence of digested food, this essence
being converted into milk in women. 21— 22.
Its abnormal and normal Traits: —
The milk of a mother vitiated by the deranged Vayu
of her system has an astringent taste and floats on
water The milk of a mother vitiated b}-- the deranged
Pittam has an acid and pungent taste and becomes
marked with a yellow hue,* if left to float on water. The
milk of a mother vitiated by the deranged Kapham
is thick and slimy and sinks in water. The milk of a
mother vitiated by the concerted and simultaneous
derangement of the three Doshas of the body is marked
by the combination of all the preceding symptoms. An
external blow or hurt too (Abhighata) sometimes pro-
duces vitiation of the mother's milk. 23.
The milk (of a mother), which instantly mixes with
water., tastes sweet and retains its natural greyish tint,
should be regarded as pure. 24.
The bodily Doshas liaving recourse to the breasts of
a woman whether filled v^'ith milk or not and vitiating
the local flesh and blood give rise to mammary diseases,
* The paitick- ''Chn"' in the lext ir.c-icaffMhnI the colour mny turn
blue or pink in some cases.