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THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.
[ Chap. XLV.

of its being a preparation of paddy. As a plaster, it alleviates the burning sensation of the skin, and as a potion it subdues the Vayu and Kapham, and allays thirst. Used as a gargle it forms one of the best remedies for reducing Kapham owing to its keenness. It is light of digestion, acts as a deodorant, removes the sense of exhaustion and bad taste from the mouth, allays thirst, acts as a good appetiser and dissolvent, is possessed of purgative virtues, and is advantageously used as an enemata (Asthapanam). It is very wholesome to seafaring men.

The Urine Group:—The urine of cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep, mules, horses, and camels*[1] are commonly hot and bitter, and leave a saline after-taste. They are light and are used as purifying agents, and will prove curative in diseases due to the derangement of the Vayu or Kapham, as well as in worms in the intestines, obesity, poisoning, abdominal glands, piles, ascites, cutaneous affections, oedema, non-relish for food, and jaundice. In general they act as cardiac stimulants (Hridyam) and appetisers.

Authoritative verses on the Subject:—They are all pungent, strong, hot, light and have a saline after-taste. They act as blood-purifiers or disinfecting agents, reduce corpulency, act as vermi-

  1. *The urine of a cow, she-buffalo, ewe and she-goat should be taken and used, while similar secretions of the male should be taken where man, camel and elephant should be indicated.