Susruta Samhita - Mandhata Global

10 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. tChap. I.
symptoms as shaking or convulsive jerks), is originated
which is called Akshepaka* (spasms, convulsions). The
form of the disease, in which the patient falls to the
ground, at intervals, is called Apatanaka (Epilepsy
without convulsions). The aggravated or agitated Vayu,
charged with an abnormal quantity of Kapham, some-
times affects and stuffs the entire nervous system, and
gives rise to a form of disease, which is called Dandai-
patataakamt (Epilepsy with convulsions), inasmuch as it
deprives the body of its power of movement and flexibility,
making it stiff and rigid like a rod (Danda). 45— 46.
The disease but rarely yields to medicine and, is
cured in rare instances only with the greatest difficulty ;
its characteristic symptom being a paralysis of the jawbone,
which makes deglutition extremely difficult. The
disease in which the enraged Vayu bends the body like
a bow is called Dhanushtambha (Tetanus). The disease
admiits of being divided into two distinct types accord-
ingly as the body of the patient is curved internally
(Antarstyama, lit :— inwardly or foi-wardly extended,
emprosthotonos), or externally (VahirJiyaima, lit :—ex-
tended or bent on the back, resting on his heels and
occiput—Opisthotonos). When the extremely enraged
and powerful bodily Vayu (nerve-force), accumulated in
* The patient suffers from vanishings {iamyale) and loss of con-
sciousness through the instrumentality of the enraged and aggravated
Vayu, hence the disease is so named Gayaddsa,
t Jejjada holds that the enraged Vayu, in unison with the deranged
Kapham, gives rise to another kind of convulsions (Akshepaka) which he
has denominated as Danda-patanakh which, exhibits such symptoms as
coldness, swelling and heaviness of the body on account of its being
brought about by a concerted action of the deranged Pittam and Kapham.
Several authorities aver that there are four distinct types of Akshepakah,
such as Danda-patanakh, Antarayamah, Vahirayamah, and Akshepakh
of traumatic (Abhighataja) origin.