The Ártavam (menstrual blood) is endued with the same properties as its arterial namesake, and is one of the essential factors in a woman which makes impregnation possible. The fœtus or impregnated matter (Garbha) serves to make patent the features characteristic of
pregnancy. The breast-milk in its turn tends to bring about an expansion of the mammæ (of a woman), and maintains the life of her child (by supplying it with the necessary and nutritive element of food). These Váyu, etc. should be duly preserved in their normal condition.
Now we shall describe the symptoms which attend the loss or waste of any of the foregoing principles of the body.*[1]
The loss of the bodily Váyu (nerve-force) is followed by a state of languor, shortness of speech, uneasiness or absence of hilarity, and loss of consciousness. The loss of (Pittam) is marked by a dulness of complexion, diminution of the bodily heat and an impaired state of internal fire (digestive heat). The loss of phlegm (Kapham) is marked by dryness, a sensation of internal burning, a feeling of emptiness in the stomach and other
- ↑ * Such a loss or perceptible deterioration of any of them should be ascribed to the use of excessive cleansing or cathartic (Samshodhanam) and pacifying (Samshamanam) measures, or to a repression of the natural urgings of the body, or to a course of violent or overfatiguing physical exercise, or to amorous excesses, or to the use of unwholesome and unsuitable food, or to grief, etc.
