Susruta Samhita - Mandhata Global

Chap. II.] KALPA STHANAM. 689
A poison of whatsoever sort, whether animal,
vegetable, or chemical, which proves almost instan-
taneously fatal (within a day) should be regarded as
possessed of all the ten aforesaid qualities. 17.
Definition of Dushi-visha (weak and
slow poison): — A poison whether animal, vegetable
or chemical, not fully eliminated from the system and
partially inherent therein, enfeebled, of course by anti-
poisonous remedies, is designated a Dushi-visha (weak
and slow poison) which is even extended to those
the keenness of potency whereof is enfeebled by the
sun, the fire and the wind, as well as to those which
are found to be naturally devoid of some of the ten
aforesaid natural qualities of a poison. A Dushi visha,
owing to its enfeebled or attenuated virtue and as a
necessary consequence of its being covered over with
the bodily Kapha, ceases to be fatal though retained in
the system for a number of years. 18.
Symptoms of weakand slow poisoning
:— A person afflicted with any sort of Dushi-
Visha develops such symptoms as, looseness of
stool (diarrhoea), a discoloured complexion, fetor in
the body, bad taste in the mouth, thirst, epileptic fits,
vomiting (D. R.— vertigo), lassitude, confused speech
and all the symptoms of Dushyodara.* A Dushi
Visha lodged in the Am^s'aya (stomach) gives rise to
diseases due to the combined action of the V^yu and
Kapha; seat-^d in the Pakvatsaya (intestines) it brings on
diseases due to the deranged condition of the VAyu and
Pitta and leads to the falling off of the hair. The patient
becomes rapidly atrophied, and looks like a wingless
bird. When it attacks the Rasa, etc.f of the system
• See Chapter VII. para 10, Nidc^na-sthana.
t These are the seven funJamental principles of the body.
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