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CHAPTER V.

Now we shall discuss the Chapter which treats of Preliminary measures in connection with the curative remedies of a disease.*[1] (Agropaharaniyam-adhyayam).

The entire course of medical treatment in connection with a disease may be grouped under three subheads, as the Preliminary measures (Purva-karma); the Principal therapeutical or surgical appliances (Pradhana-karma); and the After-measures (Paschat-karma). These measures will be discussed under the head of each disease as we shall have occasion to deal with them. As the present treatise principally

  1. *Several authorities hold that acts such as fasting, administration of purgatives, etc. should be included within the preliminary measures; application of absorbent (Pachana) or healing medicinal agents, within the second or the principal measures; and the administration of tonics or restoratives within the third or the after-measure group. Others, on the contrary, lay down that measures adopted for the absorption, lubrication (pacification by the application of oily substances) or elimination of the deranged bodily humours by sweating should be grouped under the first subhead (Purva-karma), the administration of active purgatives, emetics, etc., under the second (Pradhana-karma) and the giving of rice meal, etc. to the patient under the (Paschat-karma) last; while according to others the active medicinal agents employed to cope with the deranged humours in the incubative stage of a bodily disease till the appearance of its first characteristic symptoms, should be denominated as the Preliminary measure; measures employed for the subjugation of a disease in its patent or fully developed stage as the Pradhana-karma, and measures employed to guard against the recrudescence of a disease and for the restoration of health in a patient is the sequel treatment or the Paschat-karma.