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340
THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA
[Chap. LIV.

generally produce diseases which are peculiar to the vitiated state of the blood *[1] in the body. 8.

Specific Causes:— Worms which have their origin in the feces (accumulated in the bowels) are the results of the (excessive) use of such articles of fare as Másha-pulse, cakes, salt, treacle and pot-herbs. The Kaphaja worms germinate in the system in consequence of eating flesh, Másha-pulse (D. R. fish), treacle, milk, curd and Śukta (a kind of fermented rice-gruel). Worms which originate from the contaminated blood of the body, are intimately connected with the use of pot-herbs and other indigestible and incompatible articles of fare. 9.

General Symptoms:— Fever, paleness of complexion, Śula, cardiac troubles (Hrid-roga), lassitude, vertigo, aversion to food and diarrhoea (Atisára) are the complaints which mark the presence of worms in the system. 10.

Prognosis: — Of these the first thirteen kinds of worms may be seen with the naked eyes, while those beginning with Keśáda (viz., the Raktaja worms) are not so visible and (of these latter ) the first two (viz., Keśáda and Romáda) kinds should be given up (as incurable). 11.

A physician should first ascertain the nature of the worms and, with a view to destroy their colony in the body, should treat the patient with a Sneha (clarified butter or oil) and then administer an emetic with clarified butter duly cooked with the drugs of the Surasádi group. He should then purge the patient with any strong purgative and treat him with an Ásthápana-vasti prepared with the decoction of Yava, Kola, Kulattha-pulse, and the drugs of the Surasádi

  1. * See Chapter xxiv.,— Sutra Sthána.