Susruta Samhita - Mandhata Global

576 THE SUSIIRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. XXXIII.
oedema and cutaneous affections before the application
of purgatives or emetics. The body of a patient, habit-
uated to the use of oleaginous articles (Sneha), should
be first made dry (Ruksha). Sneha should then be used
again as usual and purgatives or emetics applied. The
aggravated Doshas would be thereby expelled from the
system and the patient would grow stronger*. 29-30.
Mild emetics and purgatives should be given at the
outset to a person to be treated with such medicines,
who had never taken any purgative or emetic before-
Emetics and purgatives should then again be adminis-
tered to him, after thus finding out the state and nature
of his Koshtha (bowels). An emetic or purgative
medicine of tested efificacy and which is pleasant,
aromatic, agreeable and small in dose but of mighty
potency should be given to a king; (in addition to these
qualities) the medicine should be such as would not
produce any serious injury. 31-32.
The body (health) of a patient to whom a purgative
or emetic medicine is administered without first applying
Sneha and Sveda thereto breaks up like a piece of sapless
wood at the time of bending it. The aggravated Doshas
dislodged from their seats in the organism through the
efifects of Sneha and Sveda and stirred by emollient food*}*
are easily expelled by emetics and purgatives. ^S-
Thus ends the Thirly-third Chapter of the Chikitsita Sthanam in the
Sus'riUa Samhita which deals with the treatment of diseases amenable to
the use of emetics and purgatives.
* Vrinda reads "^'?^-:^iT[" in placj of "^sf^f ttt". This means
that the Doshas, so long obstructed by Snch?, are thereby expelled.
t Some explain "^; f%w;" to mean "with emollient meatvsoup".